Advice Brisbane & points north
 

Hi all~

My wife and I are stopping over at Brisbane Nov 14-16 after a week teaching in Rabaul, PNG.

We were thinking of renting a car (by the way, found a $23USD rate for a full size at Orbitz.com right now thru Thrifty), and either finding a room for a couple of nights near the airport and doing day trips north. Or possibly driving north and making a couple of stops. (actually we could head south too depending on recomendations).

We're not too interested in the beach resort type of thing, but are more interested in great views and otherwise interesting stops.

Do you have any recomendations?

Also, any ideas on what the best overnight plan might be? Stay in Brisbane and wander during the day, or pick a couple of hotels on the way? Any suggestions on good basic places to stay, say under 120-130AUD?

We have a 10:00 arrival Sunday and a 12:00 departure Tuesday.

Hi Balticblond. Fascinated to hear you're teaching in Rabaul. I lived in PNG for 20 years, and fondly remember how beautiful Rabaul was pre-volcano. What's the story with Rabaul itself? Are the town services reinstated, or are you teaching somewhere outside?

Anyway, here's my suggestion (I live in Brisbane). Given that you have such a short time, I suggest the following. (And it would save on car hire).

Are you interested in Cirque du Soleil? They are in Brisbane at that time. If so, you could....

Get accommodation in one of the several decent motels along Kingsford Smith Drive at Hamilton. It's only a short taxi ride from the airport.

Sunday evening 5 pm, walk from motel just down the road to Cirque du Soleil.

Monday, there are companies who can take you on a day tour out of Brisbane to see great scenery. At the risk of being dumped on, I have a friend, Rob, who runs "Rob's Rainforest Tours". I see from his website that on Mondays he take tours (small group in a minibus) up to the Glasshouse Mountains to the north of Brisbane, and you visit Kondalilla falls, walking through rainforest to a great swimming hole.

Back in Brisbane, early on Tuesday morning you could walk to the Citycat ferry stop at Hamilton and go up the river to Southbank for early breakfast at one of the many restaurants, and then back to your motel ready to check out.

Have fun!

Thanks Daisy~

Can't tell you too much about Rabaul as of yet, so I'll have to report on the back end of the trip. Haven't heard what the housing and conference arrangements will be yet. Our last time there we were up in the Western Highlands, so we're excited to get a contrasting view of culture and environment!

Thanks for your ideas. I'll talk it over with Kathy. I think we'll pass on Cirque du Soleil since they were just here in Portland (Oregon) recently, but the rest sounds good.

We can't wait to take in your home city, even though its only for a couple of days~

-- Vic (aka BalticBlond)

I was going to recommend a drive/ferry transfer across to North Stradbroke Island for a 2 night stay, or similar to Moreton Island (Tangalooma Resort)but then I noticed your not into beachy stuff.
Seeing you like interesting views, why not head north in a rental car to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, eg. Montville & Maleny, and have a few nights there.

I forgot to mention...if you do decide to drive to north to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, you could also detour a short distance to have a look at the Glass House Mountains, just off the main highway.

BB, If you are heading as far north as Cairns I would recommend a stop at the Euramo Hotel at the adventure filled Tully River crossing for a beer , shower and possibly free breakfast if the road has flooded out. This was one of the (perverse) highlights of our trip.

A/D

Vic, I've had another idea that might interest you, if you didn't want to be just in Brisbane.

As you are not into beaches but like interesting things, you may enjoy driving down to Stanthorpe, as at that time they will be having their "Red November" events.

Stanthorpe is a 3 hour drive south west of Brisbane. You could hire a car at the airport and drive straight there.

To get information re distances and maps, you could log onto the website of our automobile association, RACQ - www.racq.com

Up at Stanthorpe there's a good B & B called Das Helwig Haus, run by a German-Australian couple, who have great food and atmosphere.

Each November, in the field in front of the B & B, they thousands of Flanders poppies in bloom, in memories of soldiers everywhere.

Also, it's the time of year when cherries are in bloom, so you can drive into orchards and feast on fresh cherries straight from the tree.

Also, there are a lot of vineyards up in that area - it's called "The Granite Belt" and you can drive around to vineyards doing tastings, or join a small tour.

There's also lots of cabin-type accommodation available, if you didn't want a B & B.

You could get up to Stanthorpe late afternoon Sunday, have a nice meal at the B & B, feast on cherries and visit vineyards on Tuesday, then drive back down to the airport from the Granite Belt on the Tuesday morning.

More information can be found on www.queenslandholidays.com and the site re Das Helwig Haus is www.webstation.com.au/accom/helwig

There's lots to do in our area, it's just a matter of finding exactly what you'd really enjoy.

Ooops, before I forget. If you do decide to stay just in Brisbane, I should recommend a really nice restaurant - it's "River Canteen" which is right on the river at South Bank. Very very nice food. It's right near a ferry stop, if you want to combine it with a cruise up the river on the City Cat ferry. I think their website is www.rivercanteen.com.au

balticblond: There was a similar question to yours recently and I'll give a similar answer. For a short stay, you are better off staying south and west of Brisbane than going north, especially if you would like to explore inland more. Lamington National Park (Binna Burra and O'Reilly's), Springbrook, the Numinbah Valley, Mt Warning, Cape Byron are all beautiful places and should not be missed if you have the chance. Sure, there are some nice spots just to the north too, e.g., Noosa, Maleny and the Glasshouse Mts, but I still say Lamington, etc. give you much more for the effort - rainforest, waterfalls, great views and lots of exotic birds.

Daisy's suggestion of Stanthorpe is a good one, but seems a little far for just a 3 day stopover.