Search This Blog

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Australia: Byron Bay

On our way from Brisbane to Sydney by train, we skirted the Gold Coast and made a side trip to Byron Bay. We had a walk to the cape, the most easterly point of mainland Australia. Byron Bay has much in common with Noosa, but it seems Byron Bay is much more touted by guidebooks. This could be another case where places with enough domestic tourists do not bother to get in the guidebooks or recruit foreign tours. We didn't discern any special hippie bohemian vibe that Byron Bay is famous for.

Our Early Morning Train at Roma Street Station (1st below), and a view from the train as we headed south.
Our Early Morning Train at Roma Street Station - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

On the Train from Brisbane to Casino - Then a Bus to Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay Beach was beautiful any time of the day.
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

The Beach with Rainbow and Lighthouse View - Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Rainbow - Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

And often, but not always, busy with swimmers, strollers, and surfers.
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

We walked along the coastal trail to the lighthouse, passing the "Most Easterly Point of the Australian Mainland". There were more surfers (1st below), and a lone fisherman (2nd below).
Surfers - Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Lone Fisherman - Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Most Easterly Point of the Australian Mainland - Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay has an Aldi! We shopped there at least once every day as we had access to a shared kitchen = arugula/rocket noodle salad.
Aldi - Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Australia: Noosa Heads

With AU$0.50 bus fares, we couldn't resist checking out Noosa National Park, almost 100 miles from Brisbane by train and bus. The closest "low price" we have seen before would be French departmental buses that cost 1 or 2 euros. Regardless of the fare, I couldn't believe there would be a 50 km bus route through suburbia, even going by a number of golf courses.

On the Train from Brisbane to Nambour - Then a Bus to Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Noosa Heads itself was another surprise. Being the 1st Saturday of the two week Easter school holiday, there were hundreds, if not thousands, of people surfing. On our walk in the headlands, we must have seen more people with surfboards than without.

Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

We had a very enjoyable walk with a little rain in the afternoon. This hike we brought umbrellas. It started to pour as we got on the bus - good timing, a rare luck.

Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

On the train in the rain from Brisbane to Nambour we passed by the striking peaks of Glass House Mountains National Park, and then in Nambour we changed to the bus to Noosa.
Glass House Mountains National Park - On the Left is Mount Coonowrin (Crookneck) - On the Train from Brisbane to Nambour - Then a Bus to Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Noosa Heads Main Beach.
Noosa Heads Main Beach - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

We continued to walk around the headland, passing Tea Tray Bay (below).
Surfers at Tea Tray Bay - Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

The views to Granite Bay from opposing headlands.
Granite Bay - Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Granite Bay - Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Hell's Gates. No surfers here!
Hell's Gates - Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

The coastal trail ends at Alexandria Bay Beach (below)
Alexandria Beach - Noosa Heads Main Beach to Alexandria Beach Walk - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

We took the Tanglewood trail back to town, passing more than a few Grass Trees.
Grass Tree - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Back at Noosa Head Beach, the surfers were ignoring the rain and looking splendid in patches of late afternoon sun.
Surfers - Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia

Friday, May 16, 2025

Australia: Brisbane

From Auckland, the best airfare to the east coast of Australia was to Brisbane, so we started our mainland Australian tour in Brisbane, home of the 2032 Olympic Games. They look to be ready even now.

Auckland has lots of housing, even more public transport. Last year the liberal Queensland government introduced a flat 0.50 AUD (0.32 USD) transit fare regardless of distance on trains, buses, and ferries. That's even more extravagant public spending than French departmental buses. So we went joy riding on the river ferry. And took the bus to Mount Coot-Tha Lookout, then walked to the very expansive botanical garden.

We only scratched the surface of the museums at the Queensland Art Gallery. I was very happy to see Brisbane, such quality of life is rarely seen around the world.

Brisbane Metro Tri-Articulated Bus
Brisbane Metro Tri-Articulated Bus - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The Brisbane River snakes through the CBD (Central Business District). Riding the CityCat catamaran ferries is a fun way to spend a morning.
Brisbane River - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

ON the Brisbane River in a CityCat Ferry - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

On the Brisbane River in a CityCat Ferry - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane River with Cafe Umbrellas (lower right)  - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

On the Brisbane River in a CityCat Ferry - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

There are more than several iconic bridges over the Brisbane River: Kangaroo Point Bridge (1st below), Story Bridge (2nd and 3rd below). One can "climb" the Story Bridge.
Kangaroo Point Bridge - On the Brisbane River in a CityCat Ferry - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Story Bridge - On the Brisbane River in a CityCat Ferry - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Story Bridge - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Story Bridge with Climbers - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

There were food stalls in the City Botanic Gardens. We had some tasty vegetarian Korean street food: Vegetarian Japchae (Korean Noodles -Top) and Vegetarian Dong-gi (with Tofu - Bottom).
Korean Food Stall: Vegetarian Japchae (Korean Noodles - Top) and Vegetarian Dong-gi (with Tofu - Bottom)   - City Botanic Gardens - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

We were surprised to see more than several black-headed ibises at the City Gardens, then later figured out they're everywhere in Australia.
Black-headed Ibis - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The jaw-dropping dome of the Brisbane City Hall Auditorium.
Brisbane City Hall Auditorium - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

We rode the bus from the CBD to the Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout (1st below). Wow! Then walked down to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The Bonsai Pavilion -  Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Australian Water Dragon - Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The QAG (Queensland Art Gallery) was hosting the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. Some pretty cool stuff. First and second below are stills from videos by Kawita Vatanajyankur. Captivating.
Kawita Vatanajyankur - The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Kawita Vatanajyankur - The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

"Tunnel" by Thai Artist Mit Jai Inn
"Tunnel" by Thai Artist Mit Jai Inn - The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

A Textile Mandala by Yim Maline
A Textile Mandala by Yim Maline - The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Not to mention our introduction to painter Ian Fairweather. Below is "Cafe in rice field".
"Cafe in rice field" by Ian Fairweather - Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Queensland Brewery Company Building.
Queensland Brewery Company Building - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

McWhirter’s Building
McWhirter’s Building - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Hotel Orient
Hotel Orient - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Tofu Noodle Salad at Black Drip Coffee Vietnamese Resto
Lemongrass Tofu Noodle Salad at Black Drip Coffee Vietnamese Resto - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The Regent Theatre Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer.
Regent Theatre Entrance Hall and Grand Foyer  - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

And finally, another shot of Brisbane CBD from the Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout.
Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Most Recent Post

Australia: Byron Bay

On our way from Brisbane to Sydney by train, we skirted the Gold Coast and made a side trip to Byron Bay. We had a walk to the cape, the mos...

Most Popular Posts of Last 30 Days