Hi everyone! I am back from Christmas holidays where I travelled to Brisbane, Australia to visit my family, celebrate my nana’s 80th birthday, attempt an unsuccessful stalking of the Hemsworth brothers(!), visited may beaches and did a few Summer projects.
On the long plane trip I wrote this piece about Brisbane for anyone visiting and also submitted it to British Airways to try and get a writing gig with them. Enjoy!
PF xo
As the wheels hit the tarmac, the heat of the Brisbane sun warms our planes cabin and through the window the humidity of the world outside is evident on the ground staff’s glistening brows. A quite city, perfect for the relaxed traveller, Brisbane offers a balanced experience of sun, fun, shopping and food. This was once my home town that I now visit every few years briefly taking in the changes and the sameness exploring what this town has to offer you and I this summer. Stocking up on Australian brands including Mimco, Peter Alexander, Country Road and Witchery are a highlight and for these the Queen Street Mall in the heart of the city is the best choice for its open air atmosphere and variety of cafes for that mid morning refuel! For more local and artisan shops head to James Street, New Farm or Latrobe Terrace in Paddington where items are bit more pricey but individual.
Food is plentiful in the sunshine state and Eat Street Markets is a fairy lit, asian style market offering the best street food from around the world. Currently considering moving, their new location houses a temporary drive in cinema where staff on segways deliver popcorn to your vehicle, as you and your friends chatter away through new release, classic and cult movies. During the day the Southbank river walk allows you to take in both city, gardens and the Kangaroo Point cliff faces. Caution though, there are hardly any shaded areas so best done early morning or late afternoon to avoid a heated meltdown! Ideally plan to end your walk at Southbank where a man made beach is ready for you to cool down and supervised by a cute Aussie lifeguard and a multitude of restaurants and takeaways near by will end any hunger pains.
The Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens are perfect for the nature lover with a well placed lookout overlooking the city and a multitude of themed gardens including native Australian , Japanese and Fern areas. Fireworks are planned for New Years Eve and have an international reputation of being some of the best in the world. Keen to make this a family event the city puts on various movies before an 8.30pm fireworks show, as big as the midnight offering, for those little ladies and gentlemen keen to not miss out on the action. For some culture and a place to get out of the heat the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) has free permanent exhibitions showcasing Indigenous aboriginal artworks, Australian art from settlement to the 1970s and a Charles Blackman exhibit featuring his works from his time in Brisbane titled Lure of the Sun.
