Driving to see Sydney-Brishane-north
by angiebabe
excellent replies here - Ive driven those routes quite often and it would take us about 15 hours and another 12-15 hours to where we lived in Queensland - at Carnarvon Gorge, Springsure and out at Blackall/Longreach - all interesting places too! but thats the disadvantage with Australia with so much distance in between places - and the advantage now of all these cheap flights/airfares to get between places that otherwise take almost forever!
- there are a number of nice stops and nice drives - there is always something to see of interest here and there but I would agree that it is a long way and that unless your friends do have time and enjoy driving (which I do and I enjoy seeing places this way) there may not be the must sees between sydney and Brisbane that are up north of Brishane or north of McKay that are real drawcards such as absolutely beautiful Shute Harbour and the islands around the Great Barrier reef such as Mikebb is referring to
Its rather nice driving from Brisbane with the sunshine coast and big pineapple and so on along the way up and seeing the landscapes become tropical - though its interesting to drive past banana plantations and lovely beaches in the stretch between Sydney and Brisbane.
I love the Atherton Tableland area and theres lots to enjoy for 2-3 days around there including the great barrier reef, Daintree and Shute harbour - could make a good 4 day circuit really.
Perhaps looking at a good map - esp a map that has recmomended scenic routes highlighted on it, such as you find with the Michelin maps, locate and weigh up the sights in your various areas.
Brisbane Tip
by Krystynn
This is beautiful SOUTH BANK at nightfall. The South Bank precinct is also home to some of the city's great tourist attractions.
SHOPPING here is relatively inexpensive. :-)) There are many cool department stores to drive you bonkers. Ladies, in moments like these, please hand your purse(s) to your husbands/ boyfriends. Fortitude Valley is another place to go to for more diverse options. This area is dotted with small boutiques/ fashion shops and weekend markets.
David Jones - THE Department Store
Pulse - Brisbane Markets
The Myer Center
Coles - THE Supermarket (my fave)
Woolworths Supermarket (my fave)
You may wish to also take note of the following shopping times (very important!):
Supermarkets: 9am - 9pm/ Monday-Friday;
9am - 5pm/ Saturday
Department Stores/ General Shops: 9am - 5:30pm; Monday-Friday
* late night shopping until 9pm one night per week/
9am - 5pm Saturday.
Happy Shopping!
Art work at the traffic lights
by stevemt
This is something I have not noticed elsewhere, although I am sure it must happen in other places.
The traffic light control boxes are all painted. The art work is all different for each control box, and often reflects the area or environment the traffic lights are in.
Suncorp Stadium and the Wallabies!
by thedouglas
Suncorp Stadium must be one of the best of its kind on the planet, and we are so fortunate to host international games, and see our own Wallabies play in Brisbane.
Imagine the sight of a grown woman trying to jump out of a moving car, because I saw them walking into a park for some warm up on the morning of the game. Most of the pictures were blurred by the shaking excitement of it all! They smiled patiently at me, and continued with their business!
The tri-nations game against the Springboks on the 15th July was a bit of an annihilation of our visitors, but All Blacks are our next home game - so, watch this spot. A wonderful stadium to watch games, and there are really no bad seats in the house. Had some drizzle, but Aussie fervour warmed us up as we stormed to victory!
The pre-game roar, anthems and flag displays were awesome to watch, and its just not the same as watching at home.
So, how do you get nearly 50,000 people out of a complex and disperse them efficiently? Suncorp and our local council and police have it nailed. Efficient rail and bus systems, cordoned off roads and plenty of patrol and planning, means that we walked from the stadium back to the city with the throng in less than 15 minutes, at a cracking pace! We usually get the train - and its equally efficient getting the teeming crowd to the platforms. All trains and buses are complimentary for ticket holders. Bring warm gear in winter - especially merchandise, or at least wear yellow and green!
Tangalooma Resort and Dolphin Feeding Tour from Br
by ASTIEL
Moreton Island not only boasts pristine beaches, freshwater lakes and unique eco-systems but is also home to Tangalooma, a laid back and friendly beachfront Resort offering a truly unique opportunity for guests to participate in the nightly hand feeding of a pod of Wild Bottlenose Dolphins.
You can enjoy activities such as 4WD Eco tours, Quad bike tours, Snorkeling, Diving, Parasailing, and Sand tobogganing down 50m sand hills!
Tangalooma is perfect for those who want a short escape to an island paradise just 1 hour from Brisbane City.
(The dolphin feeding program operates to strict guidelines; therefore, feeding restrictions may apply)