I spent the last 2 ½ weeks exploring Brisbane and the Gold Coast. My time in this area was a good mix of music, resting on beaches, healthy eating and quality alone time. Well, maybe too much alone time but I’m over that now. Can you believe that I have been traveling for about two months? Crazy!
Brisbane
I really enjoyed Brisbane, it is a bit like Austin – lots of good farmers’ markets, music, weird people and a river runs through it. Haha, anytime a river runs through a city I label it as “like Austin.” I stayed in the South Bank area which had access to some cool museums and a refreshing city beach. The library was a great place to beat the heat. One day the temperature was 105! I have spent more time in libraries in the last two months than I did during my entire university career.
QAGOMA
Farmers’ markets!
Streets Beach
One night, I stayed out past 11:30pm in Fortitude Valley! Fortitude Valley is a massive entertainment district with tons of trendy restaurants and bars. The people watching there was fabulous. But even better – I saw Shovels & Rope with Shakey Graves and Ruby Boots at The Triffid. That was such a great concert, a cool venue too. It looked like a renovated airplane hanger with a beer garden and food trailers outside.
My time in Brisbane ended after hanging out with my gracious Airbnb hosts. They took me on a bike ride to the local pub to watch (and explain) the end of a footy game (rugby). The last morning I was there we got up at 5:30am to drive up to the top of Mount Coot-tha. Then wrapped up my stay chatting over some coffee and breakfast with their friend Barrrrrrry. Thanks for the fun Anna and Andi!
Bike ride to watch footy!
Not a clear morning looking from the top of Mount Coooooot-tha
Alarm clocks.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast was all about beach time for me! I visited six different beaches to rest my legs from all of the urban hiking I had been doing in the big cities. The weather and water were perfect!
Now I’m up in Cairns and I can’t wait to see the Great Barrier Reef!
If you want to see more, check out all the Snaps and Maps. I am sorry about all of the selfies, like I said, lots of alone time. Plus, I have to prove that I’m not just going to tanning beds in Texas. Have a great week!
That city beach is so cool!