First day of a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney, from a lively CBD to rural Queensland. I explored Brisbane six years and just had a short overnight stop there this time round. Heading out at 6am for a run it was already hot and humid but a very Australian way to start the weekend, with hundreds of people also out running, walking and cycling. A 9km loop around the banks of the Brisbane River was a great way to see the city.
I had time for a quick visit to one of my favourite places in Brisbane. Roma Street Parkland was a railway goods yard but in 2001 it was turned into a gorgeous city park, filled with colour and an unexpected statue of Gandhi, unveiled by the Indian Prime Minister in 2014.
The park is home to some impressive lizards.
About an hour south of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens are on land originally proposed to be used for a sewage works. After local resistance they developed this lush garden instead, with rainforest, ponds and fountains.
There was plenty of bird life including this attractive magpie and less attractive brush turkey.
Driving south I passed the unusually named Advancetown, whose man made lake was filled with dead trees after a dam was built.
Natural Bridge was exactly as the name suggested, with the river eroding a hole through the rock before continuing on below.
The rainforest around it was atmospheric, with many huge fig trees.
A cottage next to Limpinwood Garden Nursery was a lovely place to spend the night, surrounded by hills, bush, birds, and wallabies.
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