Brisbane – March 30

A week from today will find Lewis & Elsa back in Toronto with us down to our last 3 days! Wet weather but we’re optimistic it will clear, a good day to take the River Cat Ferry into Brisbane. We caught the ferry at Bretts Wharf (2nd last stop East), rode to University Queensland (last stop West), and then back to North Quay to tour the Queen St Mall. The Brisbane River, which flows directly from the ocean, forms an “S” thru the downtown core; hence the River Cat was ideal to see the city. Brisbane shaped itself using the River has its template: amazing bridges (not quite like Sydney Harbour Bridge) but unique and numerous. The curves of the bridges & roads match artistic quality in their symmetry, while the spinning Ferris wheel has a whimsical touch. Building architecture is an engineer’s dream; distinctively shaped for River view; cylinders with outcropping platforms near the top. Near Kangaroo Point (20 million year old cliffs) we watched rock climbers scale the 20 metre face. We passed South Bank, a beach in the middle of the city; Botanic Gardens & Roma St. Parkland, the world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre.
Queen Street Mall is a catwalk of colour, style and pure indulgence! There are 700 specialty stores, 6 huge style centres, beautiful heritage-listed arcades & stunning shopping galleries. We were no longer in Taigum! It was difficult to pull ourselves along; each store lured us in to have a look (we dropped coin in a few places)! Where to eat! Some locals directed us to a Food Court (not like CDN Food Courts)! We pigged out on Indian food ($3.80 for curried lamb, veggie & rice combo) the after lunch special; as good as anything we’ve eaten so far! After lunch & fighting the nap urge, we hopped on the free shuttle to tour the inner city. We got off at Eagle Street & took the River Cat back to our car (Bretts Wharf in Hamilton). We had parked at Dan Murphy’s; a fine excuse to shop for wine! One half hour later & $20 lighter we were on our way home with 6 more bottles of wine! We loved our day!