As our last full day in Australia begins, we transfer our luggage from one motel to another around the corner.  We couldn’t get in the room, so left it in reception. We took small rucksacks with us into Brisbane city to drop off the car.

When washing it, I noticed the top middle brake light was smashed with some of the glass missing. We reported it at the East Coast car rental desk. Luckily we had purchased the full insurance,  however they still wanted a declaration sheet.  While the rep was sorting the paperwork I checked the video I’d taken the day we hired the car.  To my surprise, it was already broken. I showed the rep, then mysteriously she found the information on the system that said that, yes the light was broken when we picked up the car  they just hadn’t informed us, and hey presto no declaration was needed. 

Walk through the city

Following advice from Jo and Georgie, we were going to take a look along the South Bank after a visit to the botanical gardens. A short thirty minute walk and we are nearly there when we passed the Riverside Boat Station. As we’re doing Oz on a shoestring budget with a couple of perks, we’d not considered doing the ‘hop on hop off’ ferry and had already planned our return bus and train journey to the motel.

Minecraft Tower

As we approached Riverside we passed a building that looked like it had come straight out of the Minecraft video game.  It reminded me of how one of my children  when they were very young had said the game let’s them build fantastic buildings, bridges and cities letting the imagination go wild. I replied that the forests, seas and  landscape they were digging up was much more beautiful than the castles, cities, swimming pools they were building. Maybe that’s why I find the indigenous way of life so interesting. Not sure if we’d want to live in the wilderness full-time, as home comforts have been a well received blessing for the last week.

Are you serious?

That can’t be right surely, fifty cents for every ride on the ferry regardlessof distance. We were so close to the Botanical Gardens but this had got to be done.  We can always come back.

Jumped aboard the northwards bound ferry. Forty six minutes to the last stop, the university. What better way to see Brisbane than an hour and a half round trip ferry tour for fifty cent, yes not fifty dollars, not fifty quid, just fifty cent. Like the rapper said, it felt like we were in the ‘candy shop’.  We’re definitely now ‘in da club’, the Brisbane Boating Club.

Bridge over troubled water

It’s still hard to imagine that down under the murky waters of the city river,  bull sharks are often lurking below.  Can’t imagine that in the Thames, there’s a few sharks around London but not the fish variety.

As we head off, it’s soon evident how many bridges Brisbane has and the variety of buildings along the banks from the old colonial buildings to the modern wierd and wonderful shaped skyscrapers. Whilst on the trip, we worked out that we could take the boat all the way to the last but one stop. This would take us to within a twenty minute walk back to our accommodation. But we’ll be hopping on and off before that.

Nepalese Rainforest

We jumped off at South Bank with one place in mind,  however there was a wooden bridge to the right so we crossed it and were suddenly on the Rainforest Walk.

It was surreal, especially after trekking through the rainforest in the national parks. The sounds from the river and the city some fifty metres away were drowned out by the tranquility of the greenery and the flowing water feature. As we continued along the walkway it was an almost spiritual feeling.  Locked in the middle of one of Australia’s biggest cities was this oasis of life and colour. We turned another corner and bang, dead in front of us was the Nepalese Peace Pagoda. It was part of the World Expo 1988 and is the only international exhibit still remaining. If we had walked along the south bank itself we would have seen this from the pathway but we were glad we’d taken the back entrance as it was one harmonious surprise after another. We sat and ate our picnic on the benches surrounding the shrine.  Occasionally we were joined on other benches by city executives with their lunchboxes wanting to escape the rat race, if only for thirty minutes, but who could blame them.

Stranger Things

We left by retracing our steps  through the rainforest after taking the usual tourist photos. That was a beautiful but strange experience, but stranger things lay ahead.  We reached our desired destination and were astounded by the view.  There in front of us was a golden sand beach and extensive pool. As very few days have not surprised us, we have got good at travelling light with just the right essentials. Always in the rucksack is insect spray,  suncream, bite cream and swim wear.  It was 32⁰C, so it would have been rude not to take the plunge.  With potential thieves around we hired a locker for an hour, $2 – as much as our picnic cost and twice as much as our boat trip. 

After an hour at the beach we headed back for another hour’s trip south down the river. Again fifty cent and a chill breeze in our hair.  The sun and wind had dried our swimwear and towels. It was time for a walk back to the motel via Woolworths. 

Last minute legalities

New Zealand’s legendary customs rules – a lot of declarations to complete before setting foot in their nation.  It also couldn’t be done until within 24rs beforehand.  Strict enforcement rules meant we had to wash all the camping and trekking equipment including the soles of the shoes,  declare all food including the tub of peanut butter, cinnamon, salt, coffee etc. Job done.

Packed the bags so tightly, let’s hope the weights are within limits.  There could be a bit of shuffling at the airport but for now all good.  Breakfast and lunch made as we won’t make the morning continental.  The only realistic way to the airport is an über, so that’s booked, alarms set, all is good.