Escaping the rain further up the east coast had one huge benefit, we got to spend the Sunday with Bec and Tom on our big day out in Brisbane!
We entertained ourselves on the Saturday while Bec and Tom were at a family wedding by walking up Mount Coot-tha, the highest peak in Brisbane, to take in panoramic views of the city.
After a long day on Fraser Island the day before, I was less than enthusiastic about walking up a hill but once Bec and Tom explained that they used to run up and down it frequently for running training, I thought I could handle one leisurely stroll up it at least.
The JC Slaughter Falls walk was a lovely afternoon out. A pathway wound across a park with public barbeques in full use, over streams, by a waterfall and through a eucalyptus forest. I was sure I was suffering from delayed jet lag so may not have been in the best of spirits(!) so Rich helped propel me up a few of the inclines, even still, once we reached the top I had a quick lie down on the bench to recover!
The walk up the hill was certainly worth it though as the views across Brisbane were spectacular to say the least.
On Sunday we started the day off by treating Bec and Tom to our favourite breakfast, banana pancakes. We needed a hearty feast to fuel up for the day ahead, Bec and Tom’s tour of Brisbane!
We had a fabulous day out, Bec and I got to spend lots of time catching up together whilst Rich and Tom became the best of friends, bonding over competitive sports.
We started the tour off with a walk through Brisbane city centre, strolling down to the river, boarding the city ferry and heading over to New Farm, home of the Old Brisbane Powerhouse. The Powerhouse is now converted into an art gallery, theatre, cafe, outdoor cinema and games emporium where we turned our hand to the old classic, Hungry Hippos!
With all the rules explained (you’d be surprised how many rules there are when playing Hungry Hippos with Tom and Rich) the games commenced. Rich was very pleased with his early win but with me taking the second game, Tom the third and me the fourth, Rich wasn’t best pleased that I was crowned the overall winner. I was thrilled of course!
Walking back up towards the city centre Rich and Tom spotted a climbing frame that just had to be climbed, competitively. Bec took on the role of starting the race and I was the official photographer. The fact that there were toddlers and kids playing on said climbing frame faded into the background as Rich and Tom took off from the start line.
With each respective wife cheering their husband on, Tom and Rich were neck and neck at the half way point. Rich took the lead by a whisker and blocked Toms progress up the frame before taking the win. As Bec and I watched our kids husbands walk back to the bench we were watching the action from, we chuckled over how exhausted they were, they’d both given it their all so it was time to get some lunch.
We found a lovely cafe on the walk back up to the city and after refuelling, Tom and Rich were happy to carry on the sports activities, using the Story Bridge for pull ups!
After lunch we meandered back through the botanical gardens and across town to Southbank where it was time for cocktails!
We whiled an hour or so away with a cocktail or few, followed by a lovely dinner at the Southbank Surf Club restaurant. With the evening upon us we walked back up the river through Southbank, past Brisbane city beach, the Brisbane eye and the awesome Brisbane city sign. Brisbane looks even more beautiful at night than in the day with the bright lights shining against the black night.
Before heading home we indulged in an ice cream for dessert and headed to the Town Hall for the Christmas light show. The Town Hall was the backdrop for an animated lights show that brought me my first feeling that Christmas was in fact coming. It was an impressive light show and a lovely sight to finish off our sightseeing day.
Bec and Tom had thoroughly worn us out by the end of the day, we had literally walked all over Brisbane and had a fantastic day doing so!
Lambs on the loose 