Cedar Creek Falls X 2

Cedar Creek Falls

Queensland has a large number of wonderful waterfalls within an easy drive from Brisbane.  There are two Cedar Creek Falls, one north of Brisbane, near Samford Valley and the other south of Brisbane on Tamborine Mountain.

Both are lovely outings.

The Cedar Creek Falls, near Samford, is below Mt Glorious, which is an apt name for such a beautiful location.   We always take a picnic and a thermos on our outings.  There are several places along the creek for picnics. 

The falls are an easy 15 minute walk along the creek

The water is crystal clear with several rock pools along the walk

Reflections add to the tranquility

There are several small waterfalls along the creek

Cedar Creek Falls (North of Brisbane)

The other Cedar Creek Falls, on Mount Tamborine, is more popular.  It took us several visits until we were able to get a carpark and complete the walk down to the falls, which could be called cascades, as there are several levels of falls.

Brisbane

The Brisbane sign at Southbank. 
Southbank offers cuisine from many different nationalities and is the home to many events and festivals during the year.

Brisbane from Kangaroo Point

Beautiful Brisbane!

This country girl has quickly fallen in love with Brisbane.  We originally moved to Brisbane with a 5-year plan.....but may stay for good!

You have heard of the tree-change or the sea-change, but we have had a city-change!  Having spent my entire life in the country and regional towns,  I wanted to experience city living.  Melbourne and Sydney were too big and intimidating so we decided on Brisbane........and have not looked back!

Brisbane has everything that we need (and more) but within a short 30-minute drive,  we can feel like we are in the country, with national parks, lakes, beaches and mountains within a short day trip.

The photos below show just a few of my favourite things to do in Brisbane:

Take the Ferry for a trip along the Brisbane River.  The ferries run day or night.  The City Hopper is free.  Get off at every stop along the river and you shall easily fill the day.

Take a ghost tour through the city and hear some interesting stories and history.  There are several different tours available.

Enjoy the view from the Brisbane Wheel, both at night and during the day

The River Walk is always very enjoyable.  Our little dog likes it too.

Enjoy the under bridge art while walking around the city.  There are many murals in Brisbane.

In October, the jacaranda trees are in bloom and the heritage walk and Brisbane River are even more enjoyable

The Story Bridge changes colour to commemorate different events

The Story Bridge Climb is very enjoyable at any time.  They now have a lean out trust challenge too, for those who want an adrenalin rush!

A walk through the city reveals many heritage buildings alongside newer buildings.

Shopping at Brisbane Arcade

Amity Point

Amity Point was the starting point for a 12-kilometre walk along the beautiful squeaky clean beach to Point Lookout.

Amity Point is a small sleepy town on the North West tip of North Stradbroke Island, where fishing and water sports are popular.

Explorer and Surveyor, John Oxley named it Amity Point after the brig Amity, which he sailed on at the time of establishing the Moreton Bay penal colony.

Amity Point is home to the Quandamooka People
(meaning People of the Sand and Seas)

To get to North Stradbroke Island, it is necessary to get the ferry from Victoria Point.   Once you arrive at North Stradbroke Island, there is a bus service available from the ferry at Dunwich to Amity Point and also Point Lookout.  The day pass costs about $10.00 (make sure that you have cash).

We prefer to take the car, which is a higher ferry cost but gives the freedom to visit other places, such as Brown Lake or Blue Lake.

Alex relaxing with a coffee and enjoying the serenity at Amity Point.
We take a picnic and a thermos of coffee on our day trips.

We started walking along the beach at Amity Point, not realising that there were limited access points to get back to the road.  Many Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles drove towards us and we met several people camping and fishing on the beach.

We had the beach to ourselves most of the time.

It was an easy walk along the beach and I love the feeling of waves rushing in and splashing around my ankles and then the sand moving under my bare feet as the waves disappear out to sea.

The ocean was so clear that we saw fish in the breaking waves.

A very relaxing afternoon if you enjoy walking and the ocean.  Don't forget to take drinking water, a snack and sunscreen.

Sharon xo

2020 A-Z Challenge Preview

Are we crazy?  Or are we having a mid-life crisis?

You have probably heard of "Tree Change" or "Sea Change"?  But what about a "City Change"?

At age 50 something, we made the move from country Victoria to the city of Brisbane, Queensland.  Why?

We followed the signs!......................

This was totally out of character for me.  I am (was) an over-thinker and will normally think about every option, possibility, benefit, disadvantage and even make lists of pros and cons before making important decisions!  However, this time we made a decision totally out of character, based on gut-feeling rather than logic!

I won't bore you with the details, but over the prior years all the 'stars aligned' and one event after another led us to great change and moving to the sunnier and warmer climate of Brisbane.  After a lifetime of living and working in country Victoria and 32 years working with one employer,  we uprooted our lives and moved 1500 kilometres north to suburban Brisbane and uncertainty.

Being new-comers to this stunning state of natural beauty, we have spent many of our weekend's (with my camera in hand) exploring Queensland.  Over the month of April, I shall share some of my photos and favourite discoveries in Queensland.  I hope that I can inspire you to get out of the house and explore your local area.....or Queensland.

Sharon xo     

Brisbane and the iconic Story Bridge, which changes colour to celebrate events

                

"The Comfort Zone is a wonderful place, but nothing ever grows there"

(First heard at a Vicki Writer motivational presentation: 
Tell your life where to go; Don't wonder where it went)

St Helena Island

When I was at school, I hated history! It was boring!  Why learn about the past?  I felt that the present and future were more important, so I didn't want to concentrate on history!

However, over time,  I have become more and more interested in history.  Now, I feel that it is very important to know where we came from and how we got to where we are.  Everything that happened in the past has shaped where we are now.

Blacksmith

There are no convicts in my family history, but I still enjoy learning more about penal settlements and such.  It amazes me how much we have changed in such a relatively short period of time.

This is what prompted our visit today to St Helena Island.   The island, in Moreton Bay,  is now a National Park but was a Penal Establishment from 1867 - 1932.   Not much remains of the original establishment.  The guides (dressed as prisoners and a warder) kept us entertained with their stories and antics.

You can find out more about St Helena Island,  here and here.

We boarded the ferry at Manly marina and about 20 minutes later we were on St Helena Island.  We were provided with a guided tour of the historical sites on the island and lunch; about 5.5 hours in total.

Cat O' Nine Tails at Manly Marina

My tips;

• There is not much shade or shelter so make sure that you are wearing sunscreen and a hat.  
• Take some water and snacks (the provided lunch was not very satisfying).

Limestone Kiln

Prisoners Cemetery

Shark proof swimming pool

Museum

Can you see the Kangaroo?
They roam St Helena Island