[Mezla PigDog]

A friend is getting married on The Sunshine Coast in October and I finally got around to looking into if I was going to go. Turns out it is 90mins north of Brisbane. So, me and Monsieur PigDog are trying to decide what else to plan into a trip if we fly half way around the world. So far we have a rough plan of a week in Oz and a week in Thailand or Vietnam or similar.

I have never really thought about travelling to Australia so don't really have a clue what there is to do there other than the famous landmarks. So, what is there to see and do on that side of the country, Brisbane in particular? Mr PigDog says we can't go to Melbourne and do the Neighbours tour. I cannot believe it

[Imperial Historian]

I spent about a week in Brisbane a few years back, and the highlights of my trip that I remember were going to fraser island (I think its 3-4 hours north of brisbane, so maybe close to the wedding location) which is an amazingly beautiful place and a lovely place to just go and relax, I'd definitely recommend going there if you have the chance, the other thing I remember being enjoyable was steve irwins zoo, though that much steve irwin can be tiresome.

[Assail]

Stradbroake Island, Fraser Island, Brisbane City itself. Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's zoo). There's a lot of awesome stuff on the Gold Coast as well, big casinos, lots of tourist attractions and whatnot (Gold Coast is about about 45 minutes from Brisbane city). Uh, I moved tot he US two years ago so I admit to forgetting some of the good attractions, some more Australia bound Aussies could probably help you out some more

[Macros]

The fosters brewery, the vineyards, the Kangaroo factory, the shrimp and barbeque factory and the barstaff training facility

[masan's saddle]

I lived in Brisbane for a year in 1995 and spent crimbo and new year at a place called Yaroomba on the sunshine coast. Beautiful part of the world, further up the coast is Noosa Heads and Tea Tree Bay and well worth a visit.Can't remember the dates but the Malaney folk festival up in the Glasshouse mountains was a good time, I don't remember a thing !!! As has been stated the Gold Coast, about an hour south of Brisbane, is very Vegas and touristy but good for a piss up.

Fraser Island is a must, its a world heritage site so do a tour on a 4x4 bus and check it out. The island is only 3 or so miles wide and it goes beach-bush-rainforest-bush-beach from one side to the other. Lake McKenzie (I think) has water so pure nothing grows in it, the sand is silica so you can clean your jewellry whilst you swim. You come out of the water feeling like your whole body has been "conditionered". Amazing place, but you can't swim in the sea as its packed full of nasties, you can however take off and land a 4 seater Cessna on the beach and look at the sharks from the air !

When in Brisbane the more culturally diverse areas tend to be around " the valley" (or they were) and along both sides of the river ( the old expo site, museums, galleries and open air markets). If you only have a week though your gonna be struggling to see much. Hire a car and try and fit in Fraser island, Noosa/ Tea Tree ( for the beaches) and The Gold Coast for the sheer weirdness of an alternate universe Blackpool, with sun. There are loads of Seaworld/aquarium type places as well, I think the really good one was in Malloollaba(sp).

You def need a car.

[Assail]

masan's saddle, on Apr 27 2009, 03:25 PM, said:

I lived in Brisbane for a year in 1995 and spent crimbo and new year at a place called Yaroomba on the sunshine coast. Beautiful part of the world, further up the coast is Noosa Heads and Tea Tree Bay and well worth a visit.Can't remember the dates but the Malaney folk festival up in the Glasshouse mountains was a good time, I don't remember a thing !!! As has been stated the Gold Coast, about an hour south of Brisbane, is very Vegas and touristy but good for a piss up.

Fraser Island is a must, its a world heritage site so do a tour on a 4x4 bus and check it out. The island is only 3 or so miles wide and it goes beach-bush-rainforest-bush-beach from one side to the other. Lake McKenzie (I think) has water so pure nothing grows in it, the sand is silica so you can clean your jewellry whilst you swim. You come out of the water feeling like your whole body has been "conditionered". Amazing place, but you can't swim in the sea as its packed full of nasties, you can however take off and land a 4 seater Cessna on the beach and look at the sharks from the air !

When in Brisbane the more culturally diverse areas tend to be around " the valley" (or they were) and along both sides of the river ( the old expo site, museums, galleries and open air markets). If you only have a week though your gonna be struggling to see much. Hire a car and try and fit in Fraser island, Noosa/ Tea Tree ( for the beaches) and The Gold Coast for the sheer weirdness of an alternate universe Blackpool, with sun. There are loads of Seaworld/aquarium type places as well, I think the really good one was in Malloollaba(sp).

You def need a car.

Oh God, Malaney, I love that place. Malaney Falls is simply badass.

[Thelomen Toblerone]

If you dont throw at least one shrimp on a barbie while you're there, I will cry.

[Tsundoku]

masan's saddle, on Apr 28 2009, 08:25 AM, said:

I lived in Brisbane for a year in 1995 and spent crimbo and new year at a place called Yaroomba on the sunshine coast. Beautiful part of the world, further up the coast is Noosa Heads and Tea Tree Bay and well worth a visit.Can't remember the dates but the Malaney folk festival up in the Glasshouse mountains was a good time, I don't remember a thing !!! As has been stated the Gold Coast, about an hour south of Brisbane, is very Vegas and touristy but good for a piss up.

Fraser Island is a must, its a world heritage site so do a tour on a 4x4 bus and check it out. The island is only 3 or so miles wide and it goes beach-bush-rainforest-bush-beach from one side to the other. Lake McKenzie (I think) has water so pure nothing grows in it, the sand is silica so you can clean your jewellry whilst you swim. You come out of the water feeling like your whole body has been "conditionered". Amazing place, but you can't swim in the sea as its packed full of nasties, you can however take off and land a 4 seater Cessna on the beach and look at the sharks from the air !

When in Brisbane the more culturally diverse areas tend to be around " the valley" (or they were) and along both sides of the river ( the old expo site, museums, galleries and open air markets). If you only have a week though your gonna be struggling to see much. Hire a car and try and fit in Fraser island, Noosa/ Tea Tree ( for the beaches) and The Gold Coast for the sheer weirdness of an alternate universe Blackpool, with sun. There are loads of Seaworld/aquarium type places as well, I think the really good one was in Malloollaba(sp).

You def need a car.

Pretty well summed up here, good job.

You could always do a 2 day trip over the mountains (glorified anthills) just to see the drier farming areas if you want to see a bit of non-coastal/urban Australia, but personally I thin k the Sunshine Coast+hinterland+Fraser+maybe a bit of Bris will do you just fine. Give the Gold Coast a miss - it is a tawdry shithole.

October eh? Hmmm ...

Cheers,

La Sombra,

[Assail]

Sombra, on Apr 27 2009, 05:00 PM, said:

masan's saddle, on Apr 28 2009, 08:25 AM, said:

I lived in Brisbane for a year in 1995 and spent crimbo and new year at a place called Yaroomba on the sunshine coast. Beautiful part of the world, further up the coast is Noosa Heads and Tea Tree Bay and well worth a visit.Can't remember the dates but the Malaney folk festival up in the Glasshouse mountains was a good time, I don't remember a thing !!! As has been stated the Gold Coast, about an hour south of Brisbane, is very Vegas and touristy but good for a piss up.

Fraser Island is a must, its a world heritage site so do a tour on a 4x4 bus and check it out. The island is only 3 or so miles wide and it goes beach-bush-rainforest-bush-beach from one side to the other. Lake McKenzie (I think) has water so pure nothing grows in it, the sand is silica so you can clean your jewellry whilst you swim. You come out of the water feeling like your whole body has been "conditionered". Amazing place, but you can't swim in the sea as its packed full of nasties, you can however take off and land a 4 seater Cessna on the beach and look at the sharks from the air !

When in Brisbane the more culturally diverse areas tend to be around " the valley" (or they were) and along both sides of the river ( the old expo site, museums, galleries and open air markets). If you only have a week though your gonna be struggling to see much. Hire a car and try and fit in Fraser island, Noosa/ Tea Tree ( for the beaches) and The Gold Coast for the sheer weirdness of an alternate universe Blackpool, with sun. There are loads of Seaworld/aquarium type places as well, I think the really good one was in Malloollaba(sp).

You def need a car.

Pretty well summed up here, good job.

You could always do a 2 day trip over the mountains (glorified anthills) just to see the drier farming areas if you want to see a bit of non-coastal/urban Australia, but personally I thin k the Sunshine Coast+hinterland+Fraser+maybe a bit of Bris will do you just fine. Give the Gold Coast a miss - it is a tawdry shithole.

October eh? Hmmm ...

Cheers,

La Sombra,

Blasphemer, if you don't like the Gold Coast, then you're just not a true Queenslander.

[Cold Iron]

The most popular tourist destinations around Brisbane from south to north:

Byron Bay - laid back atmosphere, beautiful beach, i'd say to get the most out of byron you will need more time to really sit into the place
Gold Coast - this is the opposite, don't stay too long, beach is decent, night life is worth a look if you like lots of young people in minimalist outfits dancing to loud music (oooh yeah)
Brisbane - Worth a look, just head in to Queen street and wander around, there's nothing "must see" though
Sunshine Coast - lots of small towns with great beaches, Austrlia zoo is a good idea for those of us who haven't seen a lot of Australian wildlife
Noosa - The diamond in the crown of the Sunshine Coast, main street has ritzy shopping and dinning, beach is nice but usually busy
Fraser Island - One of the most naturally beautiful places on earth and a must see if you don't have time for north qld

Really I would say the area is one of the top 5 holidays in Australia, the others in no order being:

Kimberley, Kakadu, Uluru
Barrier Reef, top end
Sydney and the Blue Mountains
Tasmania

[Assail]

Cold Iron, on Apr 27 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

The most popular tourist destinations around Brisbane from south to north:

Byron Bay - laid back atmosphere, beautiful beach, i'd say to get the most out of byron you will need more time to really sit into the place
Gold Coast - this is the opposite, don't stay too long, beach is decent, night life is worth a look if you like lots of young people in minimalist outfits dancing to loud music (oooh yeah)
Brisbane - Worth a look, just head in to Queen street and wander around, there's nothing "must see" though
Sunshine Coast - lots of small towns with great beaches, Austrlia zoo is a good idea for those of us who haven't seen a lot of Australian wildlife
Noosa - The diamond in the crown of the Sunshine Coast, main street has ritzy shopping and dinning, beach is nice but usually busy
Fraser Island - One of the most naturally beautiful places on earth and a must see if you don't have time for north qld

Really I would say the area is one of the top 5 holidays in Australia, the others in no order being:

Kimberley, Kakadu, Uluru
Barrier Reef, top end
Sydney and the Blue Mountains
Tasmania

Great summary right there, except I have to add that there's some really cool stuff in Brisbane in terms of South Bank (Technically not Brisbane city, but it's right across the river). Lots of markets, cool restaurants, swimming lagoon etc etc.

[Centzon Totochtin]

If you are a proper Queenslander you avoid the Gold Coast unless you are a beach bum with leathery skin or a tourist.

I've lived in Brisbane for 14 years now. I have organised cultural tours and historical tours of the city as well. My parents live up in the Sunny Coast Hinterland, beautiful place. Where is your friend getting married?

What kind of things are you interested in seeing/doing? There is quite a bit. If you wanna go a couple of hours south of Brisbane, there are some fun wine tours. Also is just a nice day trip down that way.

You will not be able to avoid Malaz people if you do visit. Shiara, Lucy and I will make sure we attack!!! Or show you a good time

[Assail]

Centzon Totochtin, on Apr 27 2009, 05:37 PM, said:

If you are a proper Queenslander you avoid the Gold Coast unless you are a beach bum with leathery skin or a tourist.

I've lived in Brisbane for 14 years now. I have organised cultural tours and historical tours of the city as well. My parents live up in the Sunny Coast Hinterland, beautiful place. Where is your friend getting married?

What kind of things are you interested in seeing/doing? There is quite a bit. If you wanna go a couple of hours south of Brisbane, there are some fun wine tours. Also is just a nice day trip down that way.

You will not be able to avoid Malaz people if you do visit. Shiara, Lucy and I will make sure we attack!!! Or show you a good time

Not even. I lived there for 16 years of my 18 year life span haha. I loved it. Sure, the huge amounts of tourists got on my nerves sometimes, but you can't deny the awesomeness of the place. Beaches are awesome.... but I'm pale as hell, so explain this!

Anyway, back on topic lol

[Cold Iron]

Also if you're driving around (which you should) can i suggest the Beerwah road, it's a nice way to see the glasshouse mountains and close to Austrlia zoo if you're going.

[D'rek]

1. As much as the beaches along the Gold or Sunshine coasts are nice, I much, much prefer the small islands a short distance out in the ocean. And as far as I'm concerned, nothing out there beats Heron Island. Lovely water, great sand, and since it's an island and not massively urbanized, there are lots more fish and other aquatic life to see if you go snorkelling (or scuba diving). On one side there's even a coral reef that extends almost right up to the island. Very breathtaking. The only negative aspect to my visit there that I can think of is that there were a lot of seagulls.

Here's a pic:




2. This one's a bit vague, but I know somewhere on the Sunshine Coast they have this anti-gravity tube where basically you hop in and they turn on a gazillion fans beneath you so you get to float on air like you're skydiving. Any aussies heard of this and know where it is?





3. Aside from that, all I can think of offhand is to go see the baby turtles emerge from their eggs and run out to see, or else the baby penguins when they run across the beach at night (I forget why they do that). Both of those are date-specific, but I forget when they occur so check and if you're lucky they're awesome things! The penguins is definitely somewhere on the eastish coast, the turtles can happen all around I think...

This post has been edited by D'rek: 28 April 2009 - 02:57 AM

[Cold Iron]

Heron Island is a fair way to the north of the suny coast (like 400km).

[D'rek]

Cold Iron, on Apr 27 2009, 10:40 PM, said:

Heron Island is a fair way to the north of the suny coast (like 400km).

Oh, damn. Well, hit it on the way back?

[Ain't_It_Just_]

IT IS AWESOME. I've been going there every December and I've had great times. If you plan to travel a bit, go to Noosa. It's got some great beaches and shops.

And don't miss the theme parks-I expect a picture of you screaming while on a rollercoaster Mez

[Aptorian]

Mezla PigDog, on Apr 27 2009, 08:01 PM, said:

Mr PigDog says we can't go to Melbourne and do the Neighbours tour. I cannot believe it

YOU HAVE TO GO ON THAT TOUR!

I think Neighbours may have been the first series of that kind that was televised in Danish TV. Oh, we'd had Dollars and Dynasty, but this series was special.

As a little kid I used to sit and watch it with my mum every night. Their every day problems were so... dramatic!

[Assail]

Aptorian, on Apr 28 2009, 12:51 AM, said:

Mezla PigDog, on Apr 27 2009, 08:01 PM, said:

Mr PigDog says we can't go to Melbourne and do the Neighbours tour. I cannot believe it

YOU HAVE TO GO ON THAT TOUR!

I think Neighbours may have been the first series of that kind that was televised in Danish TV. Oh, we'd had Dollars and Dynasty, but this series was special.

As a little kid I used to sit and watch it with my mum every night. Their every day problems were so... dramatic!

But so... awesome at the same time!

Question for you Apt, do all the European countries, or atleast the ones you've been to/lived in say 'mum' instead of 'mom', or does it vary?