3 ReviewsBrisbane is one of the safest major cities in Australia, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
Both men and women should be able to walk around the CBD (Downtown) at all hours of the...
6 ReviewsIf you ever want to avoid the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise, well, when Schoolie's week is on is the time to do it.
At the end of November, and the 1st week of December every year, thousands of...
8 ReviewsI know in some Countries there is no need to do this, as Buses stop at all stops.
In Brisbane and suburbs it is different, you must put your arm out to "hail the bus." If you don't do this, then the...
13 ReviewsIf you come to the Gold Coast then you are most likely going to enjoy one of the long, white, sandy beaches.
Beaches in Australia are patrolled by volunteer Lifesavers for your safety.
Some people are...
3 ReviewsIt is a good idea NOT to go swimming in the Brisbane River, as it is home to approx 500 Bull Sharks.
The bull shark is known for its aggressive nature and has been the cause of a few deaths in the...
4 ReviewsPelicans, they love to eat fish!, so if you are fishing and there is a Pelican nearby, you had better wind it in quick, or lose it!
They have been known to chase after people for the fish.
Also,...
4 ReviewsBrisbane is capital of the Cancer State!
Yes we suffer the highest incidence of sun cancers in the world. Don't add to the statistics.
Slip, Slop, Slap!
Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on...
Snakes are a bit late coming out of hibernation this year (2012) according to what I read in the paper as it as been a bit dry which affects all our wildlife. But it is now early November and I saw a gorgeous photo in the paper of two red-bellied black...their heads entwined just looking at the camera ...or so it seemed. March is another favourite time for snakes.We live on the last farm on Buderim and mostly we are surrounded by suburbia so guess where the snakes go for sanctuary? And everyone but me sees them....but they are about. A man died this week from a Taipan bite in Queensland(2012)...he died very quickly according to reports....he was clearing some long grass.Avoid all snakes.....most folk cannot identify the type of snake or know which are poisonous... keep your eyes open in the bush or in long grass....take a torch at night . And do not forget there are sea snakes. Best to...
Animals on the Road
by pedroswift
In outback areas where cattle properties are vast ( many thousands of hectares) there are often no fences to prevent stock straying on the roads. Driving into a large bull lying on the warm bitumen in the middle of the night can make a considerable mess of both your vehicle and you. Kangaroos and other wildlife typically move around dawn and dusk and unlike potential road kill encountered in lots of other countries, are of sufficient size to cause major damage to vehicles. More serious accidents often occur when the un-initiated try to avoid contact with animals on the road by taking wild evasive action and losing control of the vehicle.Plan your trip to avoid driving during these high risk periods.Some places like Kangaroo Island, South Australia, have lots of wild life on the roads between dusk and dawn. As a result, if you hire a car on the Island vehicle insurance does not cover the...
The Hendra Virus..Bats, Horses, and Humans
by wise23girl
Queensland AustraliaIn 1994 an outbreak of illness in a racing stable in Brisbane led to the discovery of the deadly Hendra virus.Not only horses but humans have died. Dogs also have been infected."While the exact route of infection is unknown, it is thought that horses may contract Hendra virus infection from eating food recently contaminated by flying fox urine, saliva or birth product"Though many humans have been exposed to the virus with no ill effects there have been human deaths.If, therefore, you seek work in stables I advise you to read the website, be aware, and take precautions...good hygiene being foremost.If as a visitor you go horseriding be aware.....again wear riding gloves and wash your hands....Probably it is best not to hand feed treats to the horses....always wash your hands.Now I think to myself if there are bats in the area and fruit lying about....in the...
HITCHHIKING IN QUEENSLAND
by balhannah
Hitch-hiking in Queensland is generally accepted as being illegal.If you are here, you are NOT ALLOWED TO hitch-hike from a road, road shoulder, median strip, traffic island or motorway in Queensland. Residents of Queensland are warned NOT TO PICK UP hitch-hikers.Terrible things have happened to both the hitch-hiker and the person doing the favor.
CYCLONE SEASON
by balhannah
Cyclone season is important to remember when organizing a holiday to the tropical areas of Queensland.TROPICAL CYCLONES are the same as HURRICANES and TYPHOONS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, and pose a serious threat to Queensland. You can expect rain like water being poured from a bucket [torrential], very high winds, floods and lots of damage.You may be stranded for a while because of the flooding and damage.Cyclones don't happen that often, only up to four a year, but when they do form, they are dangerous.Australia's deadliest tropical cyclone was in 1899, when a cyclone hit a pearling fleet in Bathurst Bay (north of Cooktown) and caused a massive storm surge causing 307 known fatalities. The greatest flood from a Cyclone occurred in January 1974 when tropical cyclone Wanda caused heavy rains across southeast Queensland including Brisbane. Tropical cyclones or lows making landfall in...
Mind the Level Crossings
by wise23girl
We had a terrible accident in Australia recently and a train was derailed....This happensIn certain parts of Queensland (and Australia) the only way you know there could be a train crossing the road in front of you is there a road sign to warn you and/or you see the tracks. You might hear a train whistle or you might miss the sound altogether. And diesel trains are so much quieter than the' old puffin billy'. Trains come both ways so LOOK.Sometimes there are boom gates and a flashing red light. Do not try to beat the boom gates.The best defence of course is to be aware. If there is a vehicle behind you be careful to give as much warning as possible before you stop. You could be pushed onto the tracksAnd if you are at a railway station never take a short cut to walk across the tracks. People who find this review helpful might be interested in reading about Exit Numbers on Motorways and...
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Just mind the Round-a-bouts
by wise23girl
In Australia we drive on the left side of the road and our cars have right hand drive.Queensland Traffic Guide hereNow I find traffic round-a-bouts very useful though the busy multi lane ones can be a bit off putting and there is nothing worse than missing your exit and being back on the "hurdy gurdy"And if you are in a hire car and used to driving on the other side of the road oh do mind yourself...do not get confused.Nearly all of our round-a-bouts are clearly seen but there are one or two that are what I describe as 'flat'...just painted markings....usually a small round-a-bout squeezed in somewhere....and you hardly know it is there.Some have been altered into traffic control intersections as they just became too busy and needed traffic lights added.A MUST READClick here for Queensland guide to round-a-boutsNow the rule is to give way to all traffic on the round-a-bout....that means...
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Radar Speed Cameras and Road Rage and Road Rules
by wise23girl
Make sure you know the speed limit and road rules where ever you are driving. From state to state regulations may vary but where ever you are if you break the law you will be punished.Queensland Traffic GuideRadar devices are often placed in a partly concealed area or there may be a policeman on the edge of town in country areas just waiting . If you have been travelling at speed and suddenly you come to a small town remember to be alert and lower your speed. You might "feel"" OK but look at the speedo. You may be slow to react to traffic lights in this scenario.Some traffic lights in cities have fixed red light speed cameras. You will see the flash.Note it is illegal to warn oncoming motorists by flashing your own lights.The reason to be careful is to prevent accidents but sometimes it is only a technical not a dangerous blunder when you are a stranger.You might be interested to know...
Outback Travel
by wise23girl
We drive on the left side of the road in AustraliaMake sure you have good air conditioning. We were driving to Bourke, Outback N.S.W. one summer and I had to keep a wet rag to my face it was so hot,(no AC in car at that time).It was so hot I saw mirages all the time. Something you think is there in the distance but is not there. May look like trees or water on the road for example. The outback can get just as cold as it gets hot. Even so keep a jacket with you as there are spots that are cold sometimes even in mid summer and have a raincoat of course. Temperatures In Lightning Ridge can be 50degrees Celsius yet it can be cold in Armidale.Remember to stop for a rest every couple hours...look for Driver Reviver* places where you can meet the locals, have a free coffee, and get a bit of advice. Local advice is invaluable. We were warned in St George that there was no petrol in Dirranbandi...
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Box Jelly Fish
by wise23girl
Box Jelly Fish Chironex fleckeri Jan 2013....Unprecedented number of box jelly fish in southern waters...off Fraser Island....7 stings in 8 days...no fatalities...First aid close by maybe...Lucky yes? But two of the victims were airlifted to Brisbane...so they must have suffered serious reactions. Well I have actually seen these beautiful deadly creatures lying on the sand...they are pale blue and transparent and have 4 distinct sides so they look like a box.I used to have a photo so you could see what they look like but it was from the website and I had to remove itThe box jellyfish's venom is among the most deadly in the world, containing toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells.So if sometime is stung what do you do?...Hopefully there is a first aid post or vinegar left for an emergency.Life support is imperative.....so I trust you all have a first aid book that...
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