Zoo - Australia Zoo

I don't like Zoos! I feel so sorry for the animals, who usually look miserable.  Therefore I usually avoid them.

On top of that, and against public opinion, I was not a fan of Steve Irwin.  I felt that he was an over the top showman.

A colleague, whom I trust implicitly, told me that I needed to make an exception for Australia Zoo.

She was right! I have changed my opinions.

It was immediately evident, that Australia Zoo's primary focus is conservation, followed by education.  The staff genuinely seem to care for the animals.

The Zoo is huge and the grounds are beautiful and immaculately maintained.  The animal enclosures are spotlessly clean, large and most importantly the animals seem happy, healthy, and were breeding.

The Irwins

The park is big so it is great that transport is provided, especially on a hot day!

The Meerkat on guard

I can watch the Giraffes for hours!

The 12 acres of the Africa enclosure was my favourite

Of course there was a crocodile show!

The bird show amazed me

Feeding of the otters

The tigers come right up to the glass so you can have a very close up look at them.

One tortoise looks happy to pose for the photo, but the other not so happy!

You shall fill the entire day very easily at Australia Zoo.

Yandina

Wappa falls at Yandina was such a lovely find.  The car park was very close to the falls so not much walking. At the time we were there, the sun was starting to set, and the evening light on the trees reflected in the water a deep gold.  Photos do not truly capture the beauty.

There were not many people around when we were there, but maybe because it was late afternoon.  The pools looked very inviting for a swim on a hot day.  However, many signs warn of the danger and there are plaques of those who have lost their lives there.

XXXX

What does XXXX mean?

The XXXX Factory at Milton, Queensland
Brewery Tours have ceased during the Coronavirus restrictions

In the 1800s, beer quality was measured in X's, with XXXX being the best rating.  In 1893, the brewers at Castlemaine Brewery achieved the rating of XXXX and the name of the company was changed accordingly 1

Prior to the Coronavirus, XXXX was a major sponsor of many sporting events.
This picture is the Gabba (Woolloongabba)

1 Source: https://www.xxxx.com.au/our-story/

Warrie Circuit

Danger! Sheer Cliffs and Waterfalls. One slip could be fatal - serious injury or death may result from walking near the edge.

This is the sign at the start of the Warrie Circuit, which is a 17-kilometre walk in the picturesque Springbrook National Park. 

Depending on the weather, you are likely to see at least 9 waterfalls.

We haven't completed the full walk YET.   We walked in to Goomoolahra falls and back again, which is about 6.5 kilometres.   Not many people do this walk, so we were on our own.  It was a wonderful walk.

The stunning Goomoolahra falls.
It is an easy walk  (wheel chair friendly) to view the Goomoolahra falls from the viewing platform at the top.  However about 3 kilometres to walk in to see it from here.

Rainbow Falls is along the way. 
Although there was no rainbow on the day (at the time) that we were there.

The track takes you under Rainbow Falls.  Prepare to get wet.

At times, it is like you are walking on a track on the side of the cliff with sheer drops below and cliffs above.

Many different types of flora along the way

More rocky cliff faces

Amazing how trees grow in nooks and crannies.

If you visit after rain, you are likely to see water running down the cliffs in several places.

Great views of  Surfers Paradise

A path has been built to enable hikers to safely cross the waterfall.
The first photo was taken looking up from this path.

This photo was also taken from the same path but looking down.

Many interesting plants along the way

Victoria Bridge

On this very divergent ANZAC day, I feel that I should be writing about Victory, Valiance or Vigor for today's "V" post in the A to Z Challenge.

However, I shall stay on my photographic theme of Queensland but with a slight ANZAC flavour.

Victoria Bridge Brisbane.
Usually on ANZAC day the Casino (pink building) would be full of people playing Two Up, but not today due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

The cavalcade of returning soldiers crossed the original Victoria Bridge after World War I

Australians are resilient and it seems that today more Australians remembered our soldiers than usual, albeit at home and in their driveways.  A bright light for many!

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters" Epictetus

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out"  John Wooden

Lest we forget xo

Sharon

Urangan Pier

Urangan Pier is one of Australia's longest piers.  It is about a kilometre walk out to the end.

We were passing through on the day we were there and didn't walk out to the end, but the view are supposed to be lovely.  Next time!

The pier was originally built in the early 1900's and was an extension to the railway and very important in shipping sugar, timber and coal.

Twin Falls

Twin Falls Circuit is a 4 kilometre walk with amazing views.

There is a small waterfall at the top of the Twin Falls

The high cliffs in Springbrook National Park are the reason there are so many waterfalls in the area.  This is the top of Twin Falls.

Walk under the Twin Falls

Twin Falls from the base

Twin Falls

Swell Sculpture Festival

Wow!  Wow! Wow!

The Swell Sculpture Festival on Currumbin Beach is the largest outdoor sculpture exhibition in Australia.

Some of the sculptures are fantastic, some are unusual, some are creative and others are just weird!  It very worthwhile to purchase the booklet, which tells you about the artist, how the sculpture was created and the meaning behind the artwork.

With over 50 sculptures, there is something for everyone.

Below are a small number of sculptures from 2018.  We were away last year so we missed it.   The 18th Swell Sculpture Festival is scheduled for September 2020.  Let's hope that the COVID-19 pandemic has passed and it is not cancelled.

Prickles; the unhuggable bear (made from barb wire)

Currumbin Beach Swell Sculpture Festival (Surfers Paradise in the background)

Embryo

2 of 52 Women

Shemple on the Shore

Wherever you go there you are

You're Terrible Muriel (made from fencing wire)

Perpetual Consumption
(Can you see what it is made from?

Trafficking

Sandberg

Portal Sun
and
Hex (the Kite)

Ngara tree in foregournd
Sandy Sundays in background

What are we sinking?

Kaleidoscope
Although photos do not do it justice, Kaleidoscope was my personal favourite for several reasons.  Although there was a handle, the wind made this huge Kaleidoscope operate with changing colours, patterns and the sound.   I had an emotional connection with this artwork as it reminded me of a childhood toy.