My base in Australia is the sunshine city of Brisbane located in the state of Queensland. I absolutely adore everything about it...I live in the suburb of Taringa which is only about 10 minutes outside the downtown city scene. I live in Altitude apartments right across from the train station that takes you absolutely anywhere in Queensland. The entire city of Brisbane winds around the Brisbane River and has 7 bridges that cross it (all very unique).
The highlights of Brisbane thus far: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Southbank, Botanical Gardens, Mountain Climbing at Kangaroo Point, University of Queensland, Downtown area of Brisbane, and Mount Coot-tha
Let me start with Lone Pine. First of all it has an all natural feeling. My favorite parts thus far are the kangaroos, koalas, and sheep dogs. The kangaroo reserve in the sanctuary is the largest section and is an open area with about a hundred kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. There is no path to stay on, fencing to stay behind, or rules. You can sit, stand, or lay next to any of the animals while also feeding them. I have been to many zoos (as my family knows) and have never been to one with a privilege like this. Lone Pine is the first and largest koala sanctuary in the world and the only place you can "cuddle" a koala...but don't get too excited because it will cost you. To hold a koala it is about $15 and you only get to hold them for a few moments while having your picture taken...but still an amazing experience regardless. Lone Pine also has hundreds of birds that you can feed, dingos, platypuses, crocodiles, wombats, an array of snakes, and of course one of my favorites sheep dogs and their sheep. There are various shows throughout the day for different animals in the sanctuary. If you haven't seen sheep dogs at work then you need to add it to your bucket list. The sheep dog show was spectacular...the dogs were quick and way too smart. They moved the sheep across the field, through gates, in pens, and over bridges. Also, fun fact: there are two types of sheep dogs. One type actually herds the sheep and the others then move the sheep throughout the pen by barking and actually hopping on top of the sheep and balancing on the gates enclosing them. My favorite of the dogs was named Jim (my dad's name) who was one of the oldest of the sheep dogs and the sneakiest. In conclusion...Lone Pine is an experience and so fun...to the point where I bought a semester pass, leaving me to my number of visits so far at 3. Nerd? I think yes.
In Brisbane there are different parts of the city to go depending on the type of activity or environment your mood calls for. There are the outdoor shopping malls that are blocks long within the city that have all of the top Australian and international brands and it boasts really good restaurants and relaxing bars. Just on the outskirts of the city is the entrance to the Botanical Gardens that wind their way down the river. They overlook the harbours, cliffs, and city horizon. There are countless number of plants and paths to walk and have large grassy areas dispersed through the gardens where you'll find people reading, sleeping, studying, or simply displaying too much affection with their significant other. My favorite plant so far is a tree (the name I have yet to discover) that is HUGE and has branches that grow down to the ground from the top and replant themselves? It is a sight to see. (Picture above) Just down the river is the area called Southbank. It has plenty of shops, restaurants, running paths, grills to cookout, the wheel of Brisbane, and on weekends the late night markets which I am determined to attend at some point or another. Southbank is classy and beautiful. At night you'll see more than enough couples walking hand in hand and it is lit up to perfection to set a romantic mood. The grills in Southbank are very sheik with their metallic look and bright blue lighting underneath. The wheel of Brisbane lights up at night and overlooks the entire city. Also within Southbank is the Brisbane Beach. Man made and with pool water for anyone who likes a more clean day out in the sun. It is beautiful with white sand a clear water and extends out to the bank right before the river begins and the city is its background view on the horizon. A really cool part of Southbank is its miniature "water park" with fountains that pop from the ground, waterfalls, and sculptures that have water falling and spurting from all angles and cascading down their edges. Only a mere ten minute walk down the river from Southbank are Kangaroo Point Cliffs where we have been mountain climbing. And let me tell you, anyone who thinks it looks easy is absolutely WRONG. My first climb up consisted of my legs shaking uncontrollably, arms completely worthless, and my adrenaline at an all time high. My body strength was no where in shape to climb the 90 degree angle cliffs and my fear of heights didn't help the situation in the least. All in all I loved it by the end of the night, learned how to belay, tie sufficient knots, and had a memorable experience. I never made it to the top (about 3/4 of the way up) but was proud of myself regardless.
The city and surrounding areas are stunning during the day and hold more activities than I have yet had time to do but during the night it changes into a whole new playing field. The night life here in Australia is a bit different than my experiences back home in Austin or Fort Worth. One point being the boys. Not exactly what the majority of us pictured and not well mannered on personal boundaries or taking a hint--NO. Some of the places that we go most often here are the RE, Regatta, Down Under Bar, The Victory, and The Valley. They are all similar except the RE is more of a chill bar that actually holds potential for conversation. The others are all wild and crazy and The Valley is most like 6th Street back in Austin where bar hopping is continuous throughout the night. The biggest downside to Australia's night life (aside from the boys who have earned the name "Creepsters") is that drinks are at least triple the price of any drink in the states. Aside from that, dancing is fun, drinks are tasty, and the friends around me are genuine.
Just outside, Taringa and the city is Mount Coot-tha. It is the Blue Mountains of Brisbane (definitely not as cool though). There are trails to hike up and down and restaurants at the top. Advice: Go at night and have hot chocolate. It's beautiful and the city of Brisbane at night is vast and intriguing. I have been at night and during the day. My night trip was a casual date and my day trip was with a group of friends. During the day we hiked many of the bush walking trails, one being Slaughter Falls. The falls were a disappointment due to the current "drought." But it was fun and we hiked all through the mountain and climbed through the brush. Next time I'd really like to hike the Aboriginal trails.
Last but not least, where I spend the majority of my time in Brisbane is the University of Queensland. Fun Fact: It is the number one University in the country. So I am honored to be able to attend. It is beautiful and reminds me of the castles in Harry Potter. It is huge and consists of huge lecture halls, the Great Court (huge grassy area in the middle of the school to lounge and relax in the sun), shops, restaurants, a gym, tennis courts, a track, pools, and in the back of the school trails that lead to the Brisbane River. Classes are similar to those at UT but most are smaller (UT: about 400 in an average class, Queensland: 100). On campus we have two lakes that have all the Australian birds: ducks, ibises, kookaburras, and in the lake is a hybrid fish that we think is half eel and half snake. There are hundreds of these things that come out of the water when you feed the birds. Also, in the back of campus there is a rainforest that is very pretty and right next to the Green Bridge that crosses over into the city. Here at UQ I am taking 4 classes (equivalent to 18 hours at home): Australia's Terrestrial Environment, Australia's Marine Environment, Australian Art History, and Journalism. All of my classes are really interesting and have a medium work load. My two Australia classes (Terrestrial and Marine) have field trips where we go to various parts of the country and research the environment. We learn all about the country, it's plants, animals, and history. Australian Art History is rather boring for me but has it's ups. My teacher is really cool though and is a constant cheerleader in my training for the half marathon in Melbourne in October. Finally, on campus my favorite thing about the buildings are that they have tiny little head statues that are scattered throughout the archways in the Great Court. They remind me a little bit of Marley from the movie Scrooge. They are all very different but cartoonish and most are comical.
That's a wrap for today but this weekend we are thinking of going to Byron Bay to relax on the beaches and...be prepared...skydive...
We'll see how all that turns out, but if we end up staying it is the Riverfire festival this weekend where there will be limitless fireworks over the city, games, and markets. So either way this weekend should be fun if I can just get through this test and 6 page essay on Sea Cucumbers.
One last note though: Before I came here I watched a Discovery Channel episode with my dad on the Brisbane River and its bullsharks...no one here seems to be as distraught about this as me. Many of my friends go wakeboarding on Sundays. I have yet to try it but may get the courage to at some point. But my first day in the city I got on a CityCat (ferry) and it had a warning article published about the river's "bite" and told all about the bullsharks. There are an average of 500 of them in the river and they are one of the most aggressive sharks. There hasn't been an attack in years...BUT I'm a magnet for disaster.
The highlights of Brisbane thus far: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Southbank, Botanical Gardens, Mountain Climbing at Kangaroo Point, University of Queensland, Downtown area of Brisbane, and Mount Coot-tha
Let me start with Lone Pine. First of all it has an all natural feeling. My favorite parts thus far are the kangaroos, koalas, and sheep dogs. The kangaroo reserve in the sanctuary is the largest section and is an open area with about a hundred kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. There is no path to stay on, fencing to stay behind, or rules. You can sit, stand, or lay next to any of the animals while also feeding them. I have been to many zoos (as my family knows) and have never been to one with a privilege like this. Lone Pine is the first and largest koala sanctuary in the world and the only place you can "cuddle" a koala...but don't get too excited because it will cost you. To hold a koala it is about $15 and you only get to hold them for a few moments while having your picture taken...but still an amazing experience regardless. Lone Pine also has hundreds of birds that you can feed, dingos, platypuses, crocodiles, wombats, an array of snakes, and of course one of my favorites sheep dogs and their sheep. There are various shows throughout the day for different animals in the sanctuary. If you haven't seen sheep dogs at work then you need to add it to your bucket list. The sheep dog show was spectacular...the dogs were quick and way too smart. They moved the sheep across the field, through gates, in pens, and over bridges. Also, fun fact: there are two types of sheep dogs. One type actually herds the sheep and the others then move the sheep throughout the pen by barking and actually hopping on top of the sheep and balancing on the gates enclosing them. My favorite of the dogs was named Jim (my dad's name) who was one of the oldest of the sheep dogs and the sneakiest. In conclusion...Lone Pine is an experience and so fun...to the point where I bought a semester pass, leaving me to my number of visits so far at 3. Nerd? I think yes.
In Brisbane there are different parts of the city to go depending on the type of activity or environment your mood calls for. There are the outdoor shopping malls that are blocks long within the city that have all of the top Australian and international brands and it boasts really good restaurants and relaxing bars. Just on the outskirts of the city is the entrance to the Botanical Gardens that wind their way down the river. They overlook the harbours, cliffs, and city horizon. There are countless number of plants and paths to walk and have large grassy areas dispersed through the gardens where you'll find people reading, sleeping, studying, or simply displaying too much affection with their significant other. My favorite plant so far is a tree (the name I have yet to discover) that is HUGE and has branches that grow down to the ground from the top and replant themselves? It is a sight to see. (Picture above) Just down the river is the area called Southbank. It has plenty of shops, restaurants, running paths, grills to cookout, the wheel of Brisbane, and on weekends the late night markets which I am determined to attend at some point or another. Southbank is classy and beautiful. At night you'll see more than enough couples walking hand in hand and it is lit up to perfection to set a romantic mood. The grills in Southbank are very sheik with their metallic look and bright blue lighting underneath. The wheel of Brisbane lights up at night and overlooks the entire city. Also within Southbank is the Brisbane Beach. Man made and with pool water for anyone who likes a more clean day out in the sun. It is beautiful with white sand a clear water and extends out to the bank right before the river begins and the city is its background view on the horizon. A really cool part of Southbank is its miniature "water park" with fountains that pop from the ground, waterfalls, and sculptures that have water falling and spurting from all angles and cascading down their edges. Only a mere ten minute walk down the river from Southbank are Kangaroo Point Cliffs where we have been mountain climbing. And let me tell you, anyone who thinks it looks easy is absolutely WRONG. My first climb up consisted of my legs shaking uncontrollably, arms completely worthless, and my adrenaline at an all time high. My body strength was no where in shape to climb the 90 degree angle cliffs and my fear of heights didn't help the situation in the least. All in all I loved it by the end of the night, learned how to belay, tie sufficient knots, and had a memorable experience. I never made it to the top (about 3/4 of the way up) but was proud of myself regardless.
The city and surrounding areas are stunning during the day and hold more activities than I have yet had time to do but during the night it changes into a whole new playing field. The night life here in Australia is a bit different than my experiences back home in Austin or Fort Worth. One point being the boys. Not exactly what the majority of us pictured and not well mannered on personal boundaries or taking a hint--NO. Some of the places that we go most often here are the RE, Regatta, Down Under Bar, The Victory, and The Valley. They are all similar except the RE is more of a chill bar that actually holds potential for conversation. The others are all wild and crazy and The Valley is most like 6th Street back in Austin where bar hopping is continuous throughout the night. The biggest downside to Australia's night life (aside from the boys who have earned the name "Creepsters") is that drinks are at least triple the price of any drink in the states. Aside from that, dancing is fun, drinks are tasty, and the friends around me are genuine.
Just outside, Taringa and the city is Mount Coot-tha. It is the Blue Mountains of Brisbane (definitely not as cool though). There are trails to hike up and down and restaurants at the top. Advice: Go at night and have hot chocolate. It's beautiful and the city of Brisbane at night is vast and intriguing. I have been at night and during the day. My night trip was a casual date and my day trip was with a group of friends. During the day we hiked many of the bush walking trails, one being Slaughter Falls. The falls were a disappointment due to the current "drought." But it was fun and we hiked all through the mountain and climbed through the brush. Next time I'd really like to hike the Aboriginal trails.
Last but not least, where I spend the majority of my time in Brisbane is the University of Queensland. Fun Fact: It is the number one University in the country. So I am honored to be able to attend. It is beautiful and reminds me of the castles in Harry Potter. It is huge and consists of huge lecture halls, the Great Court (huge grassy area in the middle of the school to lounge and relax in the sun), shops, restaurants, a gym, tennis courts, a track, pools, and in the back of the school trails that lead to the Brisbane River. Classes are similar to those at UT but most are smaller (UT: about 400 in an average class, Queensland: 100). On campus we have two lakes that have all the Australian birds: ducks, ibises, kookaburras, and in the lake is a hybrid fish that we think is half eel and half snake. There are hundreds of these things that come out of the water when you feed the birds. Also, in the back of campus there is a rainforest that is very pretty and right next to the Green Bridge that crosses over into the city. Here at UQ I am taking 4 classes (equivalent to 18 hours at home): Australia's Terrestrial Environment, Australia's Marine Environment, Australian Art History, and Journalism. All of my classes are really interesting and have a medium work load. My two Australia classes (Terrestrial and Marine) have field trips where we go to various parts of the country and research the environment. We learn all about the country, it's plants, animals, and history. Australian Art History is rather boring for me but has it's ups. My teacher is really cool though and is a constant cheerleader in my training for the half marathon in Melbourne in October. Finally, on campus my favorite thing about the buildings are that they have tiny little head statues that are scattered throughout the archways in the Great Court. They remind me a little bit of Marley from the movie Scrooge. They are all very different but cartoonish and most are comical.
That's a wrap for today but this weekend we are thinking of going to Byron Bay to relax on the beaches and...be prepared...skydive...
We'll see how all that turns out, but if we end up staying it is the Riverfire festival this weekend where there will be limitless fireworks over the city, games, and markets. So either way this weekend should be fun if I can just get through this test and 6 page essay on Sea Cucumbers.
One last note though: Before I came here I watched a Discovery Channel episode with my dad on the Brisbane River and its bullsharks...no one here seems to be as distraught about this as me. Many of my friends go wakeboarding on Sundays. I have yet to try it but may get the courage to at some point. But my first day in the city I got on a CityCat (ferry) and it had a warning article published about the river's "bite" and told all about the bullsharks. There are an average of 500 of them in the river and they are one of the most aggressive sharks. There hasn't been an attack in years...BUT I'm a magnet for disaster.
