Travel Stories - Australia

"Brisbane"

introduction

This afternoon I came by bus from Noosa to Brisbane, which is a relaxed bus ride of 2 hours instead of the normal night rides in Australia between destinations. It is less than a kilometer walk to my intended hostel in the center from the busstation and after I have checked in I meet an English girl whom I met earlier during my trip. We talk a little bit about our trips and decide for a quarter of an hour or something to meet again. She was already planning a walk through the city and I like her to join her. I fresh up, put my stuff away and talk a bit to other travellers in my dorm. Then I say again and meet the girl in the lobby for our walk through the city.

City walk - center

We both have a travel book with us and find it useful to stick to the popular city walk stated in it. This way we get a good picture of the city. Tomorrow we will both leave again so we only have today to get the city a bit. First we walk to the town hall of the city which is very close to our hostel. We read that the city of Brisbane started as a penal colony in 1824 and is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, then governor of New South Wales. When Queensland was declared a separate state in 1859, Brisbane was elected as the capital. The city developed slowly until WWII. I have read somewhere else about the famous Brisbane line of defense where the Japanese had to be stopped in the event of an invasion (and the Japanese had vague plans about this). Controversial was the idea that all of North Australia would be abandoned without a fight. During this war, General Douglas MacArthur's allied headquarters was located in Brisbane and the city played a central role in the struggle in the southwest Pacific. The government of the Dutch East Indies stayed in Brisbane during the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. Unfortunately, I would not find out where all of these were located in the city.

southbank

After the town hall we fairly soon arrive at the pedestrian street "Queen St. Mall" with many shops and also the famous "Hoyts Regent" theater. Now we notice and feel how big Brisbane really is - not so strange because it is the third largest city in the country. Hordes of young people populate the city, which has become immensely popular with the younger Australians in particular through events and two important entertainment areas. We pass the "Brisbane" river over the small "Captain Cock" bridge and arrive at the Southbank. This is a kind of festival site of fair-complex in the middle of the city on the river where bands perform on the streets but there is also a lagoon where you can swim and play. There is an outdoor cinema, a Ferris wheel and various cartoon characters are walking around to entertain people. Via the wide "Victoria" bridge we return to our hostel. In the evening I end up with the English girl in the "Down Under" bar that is located under our hostel. Here I meet again the two German boys, whom I met earlier in Cairns and it will be late - very late.

tips & advice (2003)

The (inter) national airport of Brisbane is located about 15 km northeast of the center. Public transport is by buses, trains and ferries. Bus services are performed by both public and private transport companies, while train and ferry services are always by public companies. The Brisbane Central Business District (CBD) is the central point for all public transportation in Brisbane. Services depart from Queen Street Bus Station, Roma Street and Central.

Brisbane - Byron Bay: there is definitely a bus at 10:30 from Brisbane to byron Bay. You arrive around 2:30 PM.

Name: "Palace" backpackers

Address: Cnr Ann and Edward Street

Price: 17 AUSD (dormitory)

Phone nr. : 1800 676 340

Content:

It is the only hostel in the heart of the city but be warned; it is a party hostel. It is large, professional, four levels high and situated in a beautiful stately colonial building. Everything is there; large kitchen, public areas, TV lounges, tour desk, roof terrace and you can do your own laundry in the laundryarea. You can choose between different dormitories but there are also other rooms. Underneath the hostel is Brisbane's only true backpacker bar - Down Under. Every night it is party with cheap shots, beer and lots of people - local and tourists mixed.