Hello! Phew it's been a while so there is rather a lot to report! Right, Brisbane first...
Now,, I was told by the bus driver on the way up to Brisbane that as a rule backpackers didn't like the place, I was sure I'd be the exception... I wasn't! The drive into the city was actually quite nice, the tree lined river snaking through the city was rather lovely, punctuated by a bridge designed by the chap that was responsible for the harbour bridge in Sydney. The city sadly however lacked atmostphere, not helped by the fact that round every corner was another set of roadworks! The city is so far spread out it took me a good 30 minutes to walk from my hostel into town where I was meeting some friends! We had a great evening catching up and dancing the night away, and I got to see everyone from the first bus that I made a good friendship with which was really good.
The next day was spent wandering round the city, going up to the viewing tower in the town hall, which might have once been a great lookout onto the city, sadly as the city has grown upwards the view has been obscured by high rises leaving me rather underwhelmed! I also had a long wander around the botanic gardens which were lovely, and then chacked out the4 Brisbane Museum, which once again was rather lacklustre! Thankfully day 2 was spent with my Kayaking Byron Buddy who became my Hiking Brissie Buddy (I'll just call her Michelle from now on!). We went on a 4 hour walk round Mount Coo-tha which did offer some pretty great views of Brisbane and the river, and a sadly very dry set of Waterfalls!
An early night was to be had as another early start was in store the next day. What took me by surprise as I drifted off to sleep was that I realised I was missing Sydney, odd sensation to have after only spending 3 weeks there... of course that was all blown straight out of the water as I arrived in my next destination, Noosa.
There aren't many places that have made such an instant impact on me as Noosa, within 10 minutes of arriving I alreadly loved the place! You may ask why, and to be honest I'm not 100% sure, I think it was a mixture of the wonderful beach, the great mational park, the the local planning restriction that won't allow any buildings taller than the highest tree on their plot of land. The place had a really great atmosphere, chilled cafe culture with just enough nightlife to keep you ticking over! This was all topped off by the fact the hostel I was staying in was absolutely fantastic, a lovely wooden collonial building that had a very chilled and friendly atmosphere.
Once again I met up with a group of people I had already met on the way to Byron Bay, including a lovely couple called Ed and Fiona, who rather coincidentally are from Crowborough! We had a great evening just relaxing and having a few drinks from the hostel Bar.
The next morning I went out to grab some food for the next couple of days, and then returned to the Hostel to reward my efforts with a big chunk of watermellon. So I'm sitting enjoying the sweet yummy melon, chatting with a couple of girls from the UK when I get a tap on the shoulder, I turn round and who should it be but Michelle again! It's funny how you're constantly seeing people around that you've met further down the coast! After a very quick catch up with her Ed, Fiona and I found a Kayak hire place and went out for a relaxing couple of hours paddling up the river round which Nossa is built. That was folowed by an afternoon of Pool with Michelle, and another evening of drinking and debate with pretty much everyone I'd met up the coast so far which was great fun! Discussions went from politics to euthinasia via Israel and Iraq, all good meaty topics for a warm evening in late summer!
The next morning was spent walking round the national park with Michelle before she got on her coach up the coast, and after spending the afternoon gently toasting myself on the beach we went out dancing in celebration of one of the Hostel barman's birthday! Saydly having a fun packed few days with friends meant that all too quickly it was time to leave Noosa, 3 days really wasn't enough, but I had already booked my travel to Hervey Bay, and a tour of the next must-see place up the coast, the magnificent Fraser Island.
Well I'm gonna sign off for now, I need a feed and I'm sitting in an internet cafe with no air-con! Check back very soon to hear about what else I've been up to between Noosa and Airlie Beach.
Much love to you all!
Now,, I was told by the bus driver on the way up to Brisbane that as a rule backpackers didn't like the place, I was sure I'd be the exception... I wasn't! The drive into the city was actually quite nice, the tree lined river snaking through the city was rather lovely, punctuated by a bridge designed by the chap that was responsible for the harbour bridge in Sydney. The city sadly however lacked atmostphere, not helped by the fact that round every corner was another set of roadworks! The city is so far spread out it took me a good 30 minutes to walk from my hostel into town where I was meeting some friends! We had a great evening catching up and dancing the night away, and I got to see everyone from the first bus that I made a good friendship with which was really good.
The next day was spent wandering round the city, going up to the viewing tower in the town hall, which might have once been a great lookout onto the city, sadly as the city has grown upwards the view has been obscured by high rises leaving me rather underwhelmed! I also had a long wander around the botanic gardens which were lovely, and then chacked out the4 Brisbane Museum, which once again was rather lacklustre! Thankfully day 2 was spent with my Kayaking Byron Buddy who became my Hiking Brissie Buddy (I'll just call her Michelle from now on!). We went on a 4 hour walk round Mount Coo-tha which did offer some pretty great views of Brisbane and the river, and a sadly very dry set of Waterfalls!
An early night was to be had as another early start was in store the next day. What took me by surprise as I drifted off to sleep was that I realised I was missing Sydney, odd sensation to have after only spending 3 weeks there... of course that was all blown straight out of the water as I arrived in my next destination, Noosa.
There aren't many places that have made such an instant impact on me as Noosa, within 10 minutes of arriving I alreadly loved the place! You may ask why, and to be honest I'm not 100% sure, I think it was a mixture of the wonderful beach, the great mational park, the the local planning restriction that won't allow any buildings taller than the highest tree on their plot of land. The place had a really great atmosphere, chilled cafe culture with just enough nightlife to keep you ticking over! This was all topped off by the fact the hostel I was staying in was absolutely fantastic, a lovely wooden collonial building that had a very chilled and friendly atmosphere.
Once again I met up with a group of people I had already met on the way to Byron Bay, including a lovely couple called Ed and Fiona, who rather coincidentally are from Crowborough! We had a great evening just relaxing and having a few drinks from the hostel Bar.
The next morning I went out to grab some food for the next couple of days, and then returned to the Hostel to reward my efforts with a big chunk of watermellon. So I'm sitting enjoying the sweet yummy melon, chatting with a couple of girls from the UK when I get a tap on the shoulder, I turn round and who should it be but Michelle again! It's funny how you're constantly seeing people around that you've met further down the coast! After a very quick catch up with her Ed, Fiona and I found a Kayak hire place and went out for a relaxing couple of hours paddling up the river round which Nossa is built. That was folowed by an afternoon of Pool with Michelle, and another evening of drinking and debate with pretty much everyone I'd met up the coast so far which was great fun! Discussions went from politics to euthinasia via Israel and Iraq, all good meaty topics for a warm evening in late summer!
The next morning was spent walking round the national park with Michelle before she got on her coach up the coast, and after spending the afternoon gently toasting myself on the beach we went out dancing in celebration of one of the Hostel barman's birthday! Saydly having a fun packed few days with friends meant that all too quickly it was time to leave Noosa, 3 days really wasn't enough, but I had already booked my travel to Hervey Bay, and a tour of the next must-see place up the coast, the magnificent Fraser Island.
Well I'm gonna sign off for now, I need a feed and I'm sitting in an internet cafe with no air-con! Check back very soon to hear about what else I've been up to between Noosa and Airlie Beach.
Much love to you all!
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