Gold Coast to Brisbane cruise

If you are keen for a relaxing day on the water at low cost, this trip is just for you. There is no input required, except to kick back and soak up the magnificent scenery along the intricate waterways between the Gold Coast and Brisbane (you can do the trip in reverse if you wish). The trip we took was cruise from Coast to Brisbane with coach return in the afternoon. Morning and afternoon snack, and lunch provided. We had been meaning to do this trip for years and will definitely do it again; it was just such a nice day. This is the boat we went on.



Boat Cruise between Gold Coast and Brisbane

There were 70+ people on board but there was no sign of any crowding, as you can see from these pics. Some chose to sit under cover inside for the whole trip, others wandered in and out.



Two undercover decks

Outdoor undercover area



This cruise (click here for details) has been in operation for nearly 30 years. The crew really know their way around these waterways. Interesting features are pointed out along the way; commentary not intruding on conversation. Morning and afternoon tea is served as well as an excellent barbeque lunch.
You travel between two large cities, through the World Heritage listed Moreton Bay Marine Park  and see high rise, huge waterside homes, camping and mooring sites along the water's edge, sea birds and ... Oh yes, and the occasional dolphin or dugong.

The route meaders between islands that lie between North and South Stradbroke Islands and the mainland; passing well known island such as Peel, Russell, St Helena (former jail), Lamb, Goat :) and dozens more. You do get a detailed map showing many geographic features.

We had lunch outside to keep enjoying the view. It was fabulous.




Lunch with view and pleasant conversation

Safe mooring















The boat was peacefully quiet as it glided along. We said next time we'll bring a hammock and really get into the relax mode. The cruise took about 6 hours. We were never bored.
Once in Brisbane, the coach was waiting to bring us back to the Gold Coast.
This was an excellent venture for a Sunday Drive.

If you have a day spare, do yourself a favour and book this cruise.


Have a great day on your next Sunday Drive

Day of fun. Council sponsored free activities.

 

Sand sculpting anyone?

The Gold Coast has a list of activities too big to detail. From free to super exotic and expensive. Today we share the fun we had at a free activity sponsored by the City Council as part of its popular Active and Healthy Program. This program has fantastic activities throughout the year, right across the Gold Coast. For the latest program of events, go here. You will find something to suit all tastes and all ages.

We had a fabulous day out. If you have kids, this event is for you. There was free facepainting, gymnastics, classes on painting, knitting and sculpting, drum classes to make loads of rhythmic noise, plus more. Who wouldn't want to go? Even the big kids had fun watching all manner of performance, set around a peaceful lake next to the Nerang River, right in the heart of the Gold Coast.

This site is a must for all





 

Crowd spoilt for choice of what to do, what to see

Scrunch a balloon into your favorite animal

Bash a drum rhythm and relax

Painting multi-colored anything

 

Aerial daring

With such a fun filled afternoon on offer where just about everything was free, how could you not have a great time? Kids' time filled. Adults relax. I spent some time sitting under a tree with coffee in hand just watching the day go by. Snoring blissfully.


Painting by the Nerang river

 

Chill with a drink and bite to eat. Relaxing music

Events like this are run all over the Gold Coast. This one is annual, as are some of the others. Most are run weekly or monthly. If you are a visitor or local, it is well worth checking out the website to see what is on around your area. This event was in the centre of the Gold Coast, accessible easily by bus or car.

Have fun

Gold Coast - Burleigh - Headland Walk

Do you feel like a change of pace, slowing down a little, but still want to jump in the ocean or go shopping, even have a restaurant meal?  Head to Burleigh beach; easy to reach by bus or car. It lies in the middle of the Gold Coast beaches.  Beach safety is supported by a surf club at either end of the beach and a lifeguard tower in the middle.  A beachfront park with a concrete path wide enough for walkers, joggers, skaters, covers the entire distance.  Shady trees, shelters and barbecue facilities are dotted along the full strip. 

At the southern end of the beach, you will find why Burleigh is so popular with locals and why they would prefer it to remain off the tourist map.  Enjoy shopping in stores that are less touristy and lie in a couple of blocks of laid back village atmosphere, few high rises blot the horizon here.  But this story is about the walk around the headland.   Shops and beach will come later.   The beach has a beautiful national park headland.  Sit on the hill and watch the surf or take the peaceful, level stroll around the headland; over the top if you are feeling more energetic.  The whole walk takes a leisurely 35-40 minutes, no rush.


The best way to do the walk from the headland is to start by walking down the hill, turning left at the traffic lights and walking along the highway.   This first bit along the highway I always find the best section to get over first because the rest of the walk is a peaceful, easy walk along a bitumen pathway through trees alongside a creek and then beside the ocean.   Along the highway you reach Tallebudgera Creek, another popular spot with locals, especially for those with younger children.   To walk around the headland, turn left just before you cross the creek.




Turn left past the old movie theatre arcade. Main
 Burleigh shops straight across road at traffic lights

Tallebudgera Creek. Popular swimming spot on
opposite side to Headland walk. Caravan park to right.

The trail is easy to follow.  Just a short way in you will see the track that leads over the top of the headland.  It is not too steep but the one around the creek is just about level all the way and so very easy to do.  You can hear the chatter of birds all along the path.  It is cool and shaded, relaxing. 



View from pathway



The path is easy to walk, shady and cool



Mouth of creek and ocean

View to ocean

At the end of the path, you come out to the most stunning views along the Gold Coast and the world famous surfing beach of Burleigh Heads.  You will just want to sit and take it all in; ocean, beaches, the highrise Surfers Paradise, people fishing, surfers, joggers.  It is a fantastic spot.  At the bottom of the hill is a coffee shop.  Take away coffees and a seat on the hill is one of the most refreshing activities and one of life's pleasures; makes you feel good with the world.





Shady park and walkways. Surfers Paradise in background



Beach, cafe, reading under a shady tree.  Serenity

It is easy to cruise through the hours and totally unwind.  The walk through the National Park surely helps that.  Follow up with all manner of calming persuits from dawn to dusk.



Stunning sunrise

First light at the headland



Moonrise over ocean

Moonrise over seagull :)

A definite for those whose holiday is speeding too much.  Easy trip to Burleigh to get your spirits back together and ease the pace.  Buses drop you off right next to the beach so access is no trouble; even leave the car back at your hotel.  Fish and chips on the Headland; what a treat.




Views around the Headland

Gold Coast - Hinze Dam -Beechmont

Hinze Dam is the major water supply source for the Gold Coast.  It is a short drive, fewer than 30 km away.  It is easy to find the route via Mudgeeraba on the cental coast.  This is a great picnic spot, found so close to the Gold Coast strip.  It is a point of interest to visit along the way on a pleasant drive through the mountains.  There are many others.  We stopped at Hinze Dam for a look around and continued up along the ridge of Beechmont, towards  Canungra and looping back to the highway.  

On the way up to the dam you pass through forested scenery along the route with an occasional spring fed cascade splashing next to the bitumen.  A backdrop, refreshing and cool to drive in.  The way to the Dam is clearly signposted. 


Shady seat to look out over the lake



Spillway of Hinze Dam



Spillway with dam at 86%



Picnic spots, centre left and top right, below spillway



Observation area. Drinks and snacks available

On the way out from the Dam take the route to Beechmont.  It is magic scenery all along the way.  It ranges from closely treed mountains to open rolling pasture, green and lush.  You will pass higher up the range and drive past outlooks where you look down over the Dam.  Cruising along the ridge, we stopped to watch a couple of people fly model gliders.  We were amazed at how far and high the models could go.




A typical valley view near Beechmont



Pasture we drove past at Beechmont



Centre right is the silver streak of Purling Brook falls



Nature and plastic. Top left, eagle in flight, one of a pair; centre, model plane

This turned out to be an awesome Sunday Drive, somewhat unplanned as we had intended to go to the Dam and back.  The choice to go further via Beechmont was a bonus.  A good Sunday Drive turned great.

Gold Coast - Brisbane - South Bank

Want to have a look at more than ocean beaches?  Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, is barely an hour's drive away.  Today we will drive up to Southbank; a centrepiece of culture, outdoor fun, a massive swimming lagoon, picnic facilities, entertainment, wining and dining.  All this moulded along the south bank of the Brisbane River, directly opposite the CBD.  Drive north along the M1 Pacific Motorway or take the train which stops right in the middle of the South Bank action.  Use a Go Card for all public transport travel.  Parking under the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition centre is $15 all day, cheaper than the parking right in South Bank.  It is a one block walk away.




Fun and interest for all the family at South Bank

There are two areas in the park.  At one end there is a cultural hub.  You could spend days exploring the Art Gallery, Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, the Science Centre and the State Library.  Free entry to all, except the Science Centre.  Some special exhibitions may entail a charge.  They are all modern constructions, with fabulous displays inside huge collections.  They are accessed directly from the South Bank rail station or via boardwalk along the river.




Entrance to Art Gallery



Museum at South Bank



A riverside playground

State Library at South Bank on Brisbane River



Fun on the Brisbane River at South Bank



The Brisbane Wheel and boardwalk. Brisbane River on left

Wander along the boardwalk from this cultural feast designed to suit all curiosities of an arty, historic, scientific, or literary nature.  Hmmm smell the learning.

Anyway, off to the outdoor entertainment.  Central is the huge series of swimming lagoons.  Sandy beaches, water fountains and streams with lifeguards on duty.  There are shady trees and shrubs throughout.  Excellent for all the family to cool off on a hot day. Toilets have lots of showers and a large change area for drying off after a swim.  Mum and dad can share a cold drink and watch the kids from the comfort of a cafe seat, if they wish.  When the tribe is hungry, the choice is endless.   BYO to cook on several barbecues, a cool drink or ice cream from one of many mobile carts, traditional fish and chips, cafe, through to fine riverside restaurant dining.

Some of the fountains in the lagoon area at South Bank

A cool drink

Part of the huge lagoon area

Lots of choice for food and drink

Shady walkway at South Bank along the banks of the Brisbane River

The kids can find all manner of activities: playgrounds, parkland, long cycle paths along the river and the fun lagoon area.  It's easy to fill a whole day.  Shops line the side of the park.  For the serious shopper in you, walk across one of two pedestrian bridges straight into the CBD and shopping malls. 

South Bank is much too large to fit into one story.  There are days of fun you could line up, so you can rest assured that you and the kids will have a fun-filled day.

Gold Coast - Tamborine - Gallery Walk

For a special treat.   A short drive from the Gold Coast up to Tamborine has several pleasures.   Firstly the cooler air and roads lined with grassland which changes to rainforest as you get higher.   The country and mountain feel hits you early in the journey; you start to wind down soon after you leave the denseness of the Gold Coast coastal strip.   It is a amazing how quickly concrete city and dense population changes to lush verdant in so few kilometres.  For today's Sunday Drive we have chosen to take you to  'Gallery Walk' and the Mount Tamborine Brewery.


This Sunday Drive offers a huge mix of things to do: wine, beer and/or cheese tasting; hunting out weird wonderful souvenirs; a quiet coffee; dukkah tasting; browsing antique, jewelry, clothing and bric-a-brac stores; a long list for individual indulgences.  Scattered along the street are fairy, fudge, ice cream, book, and celtic stores; even places where you can get readings done.  There's just so much to see and do.


See the link on the right for directions.  Basically, you head north towards Brisbane and take exit 57 from the highway.  Directions are clearly posted.

When you arrive, you will be greeted by an avenue of treats. Shopfronts declaring all manner of tempting invitations to enter.  Parking is plentiful.  The hard part is knowing where to look first.



Scenery along the way

Gallery Walk

Architecture and goodies

Trees make a beautiful backdrop

As you wander through the scenery, you will find that several hours pass quickly.  Once inside you will be greeted by friendly local staff.  They are helpful, smiling and willing to stop and talk to you.  If you need information, just ask. You will be offered tastes, smells, instructions, history.  It all adds to the experience.  We asked one of the jewelry stores if we could photograph some of the items in the shop; all handmade with some spectacular settings and colors.



One of the fabulous diplays



Spectacular, hand-crafted  jewelry pieces



Champion dukkah sampler

Champion beer sampler

All that rummaging and foraging can make you hungry.  All tastes are catered for.  We walked to the end of the street to the Mount Tamborine Brewery which houses a cheese factory and a restaurant.  Lyn tried a bit of dukkah along the way.



Just a few of the tasty local cheeses

We had a feed and returned to the walk.  Just easy browsing.  What a fabulous way to spend a day.  A quick drive back down the mountain to the Gold Coast for a well-earned nanna nap.