Queensland’s oldest?

Just before entering Cleveland spit, is the Grand View Hotel, perched above the low lying spit. This is Queensland’s oldest licensed pub built in the 1850s. With a wide veranda upstairs and a cool breeze off the bay, it’s tempting to try the bed and breakfast offered.

Disappearing farms

Because of Cleveland’s rich red soil, it was once the bread basket of Brisbane. When we past through on our way to Cleveland Spit, there were farms on both sides of the road. Neatly ploughed rows of luscious volcanic soil were home to a variety of vegetables.

Almost surrounded by sea

It’s not only Brisbane’s over thirty degree summers that has everyone reach for a cool drink, but the soaring humidity. That was why Cleveland was another coastal location my parents flocked to during summer.

A childhood haunt

Wynnum’s wading pool brings back memories from my childhood when my parents drove my sister and I to Wynnum  to cool off on Brisbane’s sweltering summer days. Salt water from Moreton Bay filled the enclosure at high tide to about sixty centimetres, making it safe for children.

By the Bay

This beachside suburb is a restful location I always visit on trips to Brisbane. Firstly, there’s a stretch of fish and chip shops where I can have one of my favourite fattening treats: a potato scallop.

Stepping back in time

In a section of the city blocked off from traffic where people meandered from one shop to the next or lounged at cafes clustered in the middle of the mall, sat the Brisbane Arcade.

Among the paper barks at Indiscapes

Located just out of Brisbane in the Redlands area, the bushland setting housed a restaurant. I walked towards the building through paper barks, a tree often used in artwork. Some artists created an entire picture using the outer layer from these trees. Left alone, they are one of my favourite native trees.

Alone over the Great Barrier Reef

After our tour boat anchored, almost everyone took advantage of the glass bottom boats to view the reef, except me. I snorkelled over a different part of the reef to spy the wonderworld below.

What did you ask?

With the trip through Java to Bali over, there was no more of my daughter counting down the days till our return. I thought she’d never want to leave Australia again.