Week 500 · Brisbane River · Redcliffe · Gold Coast · World Lawn Bowls
Brisbane & the
Since it was winter and coldish in Melbourne, we had decided back in July that we would need to visit a warm place in August — so we headed north to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. I can't figure out if Queensland is the "Florida" or "Texas" of Australia — very independent and a similar reputation as Texas, but it's a bit bigger than Texas.
Brisbane is the 3rd largest city in Australia and will be hosting the 2032 Olympics. Although Brisbane isn't far from the ocean, the city is centred around the Brisbane River which snakes its way through the city. We did a long walk along the river (about 15,000 steps) and then took a boat ride on the river. Pretty relaxing day. Then we met a co-worker who drove us north up the coast to Redcliffe for a nice dinner and we visited "Bee Gees Alley" — the Bee Gees had grown up there.
Brisbane will host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games — the third Australian city to host the Olympics after Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000). Queensland is Australia's second-largest state by area, covering 1.85 million km² — making it approximately twice the size of Texas, not just a bit bigger. The state accounts for around 22% of Australia's GDP driven largely by coal, natural gas, and agriculture exports. The Bee Gees — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb — moved to Redcliffe (then called Redcliff) as children in 1958 after emigrating from England, and began performing together there. The Bee Gee Way memorial walkway in Redcliffe was opened in 2013.
Redcliff was very nice — similar to Sunshine Coast, low rise buildings, low-key restaurants and bars, with trees right on the beaches. They encouraged us to check out Gold Coast — a commuter train ride the other direction, then a light rail to and along the beach. Like taking the MARC to Ocean City.
The Gold Coast was Florida — a lot of high-rise condos and really great beaches ideal for surfing. The plan was to walk about 3–4 miles down the beach, stop a couple of times for supplies and refreshment, and then get back on the light rail. The plan worked, except there were no restaurants on the beach or boardwalk — just endless condos. We got off the beach, walked back into a neighbourhood, and found a deli — and the World Lawn Bowling Championships. Then back to the beach, but we never saw a place to grab a drink or anyone with a cooler. So we get on the light rail and go back through the heart of town (about 4 blocks parallel to the beach) and that is where all the places are — apparently the clubbing capital of Australia. So bummed that we missed some midday EDM.
Continued on the light rail, then the commuter rail, grabbed our bags and Ubered to the airport. Right after we settled in, our flight was delayed 3 hours — from 8pm to 11pm — leaving 2 hours after any other scheduled flight. Reason stated: "crew." "Crew" is apparently code for Qantas staff spontaneous industrial action.
We found a place to camp out and eat for a while. I needed some Tums so I went to the pharmacy — the lady said if I was paying with card she'd let me in. She took me to the heartburn area and said "it's been a good day, what's another 5 minutes to help someone who will have a very long night." I was looking for the candid camera. We found another place with wine and cheese — they offered to stay open until we left, two hours past normal. But came back to say the flight was cancelled. So we went back to Brisbane — a much nicer hotel than the Holiday Inn Express — and I found the rooftop bar I had seen from the boat ride. Expected to be rejected. They said come right up.
"I was looking for the candid camera. They offered to stay open two hours past normal — then told us our flight was cancelled."