Since I will be leaving Brisbane shortly, I have decided to make up a bucket list with all the spots that I still want to visit whilst I'm here. The first up on the list was Mount Tamborine. Chris and I drove up to the Gallery Walk from where we started our exploring. The first stop were the Curtis Falls, which were a very short walk from the parking lot. We strolled down, had a look, took some pictures and went for the next set of waterfalls. We made a pit-stop at Rotary Point Lookout, where the view was stunning and then we went to the Witches Falls. The Witches Falls were a bit further and the walk would take us past a lagoon as well, the sign read. What the sign didn't say, was that the lagoon was seasonal and was now only a patch of grass. The falls themselves were tiny and because it had been quite dry, there was barely any water running down the rocks. The view was beautiful however.
We had some lunch at the Laheny Lookout and then headed home. A week later we decided to come back to see if we could find two other sets of waterfalls, the Cedar Creek Falls and the Cameron Falls. The Cedar Creek Falls and Rockpool were sensational and we could even climb the rocks a little bit. Cameron Falls was in Knoll National Park and this was a good hike, which resulted in an amazing view of the Brisbane skyline. The waterfall itself was hidden behind some trees, but there was a lot more flowing than at the Witches falls the week before.
3 State of Origin matches (NRL) and 3 international games between the Irish and the Wallabies. Unfortunately I have been on the wrong side of the score twice and Chris was victorious. Thankfully the Irish managed to win the series in a thrilling last game. The Maroons were not so lucky unfortunately and lost the second match as well, granting victory to the Blues. |
Another must see on my bucket list is the Glasshouse Mountains. We drove up to the Glasshouse Mountains Lookout, where we had a good view over all the mountains in the area that we could climb. We set our minds on Mount Ngungun (253 m) and started our ascend. 25 minutes later we were on the summit and the view was insane. My knees were a bit wobbly the entire time because of the height and the cliffs we could fall off (and Chris doing some weird jumps and runs on the rocks) but I was so happy to be able to take in that magnificent view.
After that we went to the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra, where we saw loads of old planes and helicopters and got to take a look inside of multiple cockpits. After some food and a stroll along the beach, it was time to head home again after a long, but extraordinary day.
A few weeks later it was time to go back to the Glasshouse Mountains, as there were still some things I wanted to do/see. This time around we walked the Soldier Settlers Trail and climbed Mt Tibrogargan as far as we could (at some point it was advised to continue with a hard hat, first aid kit and rock climbing experience). This time around the views weren't as good as from Mt Ngungun, but the walk was beautiful and definitely worth the three and a half hours it took us.
For Malena's birthday, I thought I would surprise her with tickets to the Queensland Firebirds, one of Queenslands best netball teams. They were playing against the NSW Swifts and after a thrilling game, where QLD was ahead and NSW kept catching up, the Firebirds came out victorious (60-57). Malena was really excited and I think I can say it was a successful surprise.
It was also time to go and see the Broncos play another game of rugby, since it had been such a long time and I definitely can't leave Brisbane with them losing the last game I saw. So after seeing the World Press Photo Exhibition in the Brisbane Powerhouse and a stroll through New Farm Park and the CBD, Dani took me to see the Broncos v Raiders. After a very onesided first half (0-16 to the Raiders) the Broncos started to pick up their game and they actually managed to win the game! The best part? All but one of the tries was made right in front of our noses thanks to our awesome seats!
There have been quite a few quiet weeks lately. With the sports games on the weekends and Susan and Michael being away, I have been really busy with the kids and haven't had too much time to go out, except for the occasional dinner, drinks and ice skating with the family for Michael's birthday.
The first weekend that Susan and Michael were back in Brisbane, Chris organised a surprise for me. His mum told me where we were going on the day, but that didn't make me enjoy it any less. He took me to the Sirromet Winery and we spent the afternoon sipping wine, eating pizza, listening to live music and just enjoying the view and each other's company. |
My last few weeks in Australia were all about preparing my trip to New Zealand and saying goodbye to the people who have made my time here so special. For the occasion, I decided to throw a going away party. What Susan didn't know, was that Michael and I were using it as a smoke screen for her early birthday party as well. She didn't have a clue and loved the surprise. We had delicious paella and two cakes that words just cannot explain. It was an amazing night, ending with a good boogey at Blackbird.
Malena played two semi-finals in netball, making it to the grand-final, which I unfortunately wouldn't be able to see because of my departure.
I was crazy enough to sign myself up for the Bridge to Brisbane 10 km run on the Sunday morning before I left. We started running at 6.20 am (a very early start for a Sunday) and 54 minutes and 19 seconds later, I crossed the finish line. A new personal best showed that my training sessions in hilly Bardon had definitely paid off!
Malena played two semi-finals in netball, making it to the grand-final, which I unfortunately wouldn't be able to see because of my departure.
I was crazy enough to sign myself up for the Bridge to Brisbane 10 km run on the Sunday morning before I left. We started running at 6.20 am (a very early start for a Sunday) and 54 minutes and 19 seconds later, I crossed the finish line. A new personal best showed that my training sessions in hilly Bardon had definitely paid off!
My time in Australia is now finished, I got on a plane and arrived in Wellington, the stories of which will come in a later blog. I have had a beautiful time in Australia and couldn't have done it with out the support of Sue, Mick and the kids and of course the other amazing people I have met along the way. Now it is time for my next adventure, the next chapter of my story and I cannot wait to see what New Zealand has to offer me.
Until we meet again!
Until we meet again!