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On to Brizbun Before I left Hervey Bay I spent a few hours in my motel room boxing up the souvenirs and assorted junk that I'd accumulated during my two months in Australia, then I trotted down to the Post Office and mailed them to myself back in the U.S. Each box cost about US$40 to mail, but I figured it was worth it because, frankly, it's pretty hard to find boomerangs, Lazy Harry CDs, and souvenir cans of kangaroo dung back in the States.
I left Hervey Bay on Tuesday morning just as all the grocery stores in the country were opening once again, after being closed for the four-day Easter Weekend. I continued driving south along the "Sunshine Coast," the coastal area north of Brisbane. So far I'd been a little disappointed with the scenery during my drive down the east coast of Australia, and the Sunshine Coast was no exception. That's largely because of the endless miles of eucalyptus trees and unvarying topography that you drive through here, which is something like driving through a solid curtain of trees. It's no surprise that falling asleep while driving here (and elsewhere in Australia) is a big problem, illustrated by the many billboards that dot the highway, warning drivers not to doze off. Like everywhere else in Australia, though, the friendliness of the people I met along the way more than made up for the drab scenery and I had a pleasant drive to Brisbane.
There are three things to know about Brisbane. First, it's pronounced "Briz-bun" and not "Briz-bane," as most Americans pronounce it (including me before I came to Australia). Second, it's Australia's largest city behind Sydney and Melbourne. Third, it's a really, really great city. Up to this point, and as I said in an earlier update, I thought Adelaide was the nicest city in Australia, but I changed my mind after spending an afternoon walking around Brisbane. I've fallen in love with so many places in Australia, as I've mentioned in this website, starting in Wagga Wagga, and then Adelaide, followed by Port Douglas. Well, just like in high school, Brisbane is my latest crush. But this one's for real.
With a population of about a million people and located on a large river that's called, not surprisingly, the Brisbane River, Brisbane reminded me a lot of my hometown of Portland, Oregon, although it's much more tropical. In fact, it was downright steamy when I was there. It's also, dare I say it, a lot more interesting than Portland. The downtown area is lively and wonderful, the bridges that cross the river are beautiful, the city has a great ferry system that shuttles people up and down the river, and there's a large and fascinating botanical park in Brisbane located just a few blocks from downtown.
After walking through the garden-jungle in the botanical park for a half-hour, I felt like I was up in the Daintree Rainforest again – it's very cool. Well, actually it was hot and steamy, but it was also cool. Yep, if I were ever to move to Australia, I think Brisbane would be the place. O.K., I've already said that about Wagga Wagga, Adelaide, and Port Douglas. But, just like in high school, this time I really mean it!
Above left: Continuing down the coast. This is the marina at Noosa, a pleasant coastal resort town north of Brisbane. Above center: A viewpoint along the Sunshine Coast. That's one of the many Automobile Club trucks that patrol the highways of Australia looking for stranded motorists. Above right: Brisbane, the largest city in Queensland, and the Brisbane River. I love this city!
Above left: Brisbane's lively Queen Street Mall. Brisbane is something like Portland, Oregon, but it's a lot more interesting, vibrant, and tropical. Too bad there aren't any cities like this in the U.S. Above right: The Brisbane River at night.
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