Queensland High Points 2012

Last June, I got the chance to take my first trip abroad to Queensland, Australia. It was an amazing visit, but I got a bit distracted from blogging after becoming ENGAGED to my now husband, Ashley! Find more on that story HERE! The following is an update I had started with just a few of our visits' highlights that I never got around to actually posting. Since I'll be heading back for my 2nd visit to Oz next month, I figured its time to play "catch up!"

Mt Coot-tha

I believe we started off this visit to Brisbane the right way, by taking a drive up to Mt. Coot-tha, a beautiful look-out point that gives a full view of downtown Brisbane and the river. Aside from the breathtaking sites, there is also the quaint Kuta Café and Gift Shop to stop and find souveniers or grab a bite to eat.  I highly recommend their chai latte, and I was also impressed that they had a few gluten-free sweet treats available on their menu.The only thing I’m not sure I could get used to, is the lack of ketchup. I hope you like mayonnaise on your fries! Err…chips, I mean.

Australia Zoo

The wildlife is probably the first thing that has always come to my mind when I thought of the Land Down Under, so a zoo is a must-do event. We visited Steve Irwin’s iconic Australia Zoo to fulfill this requirement.

Except for the absent duck-billed platypus, the zoo delivered on all the expected animals—snakes, iguanas, crocodiles, Tasmanian devils, wallabies,  and of course kangaroos and koalas.

First off, I must say, after finally having the chance to pat a koala…they are the most delightfully fuzzy and cuddly things I have ever touched! They don’t smell the greatest, but they are SO SOFT! And getting to feed kangaroos was quite an awe-inspiring experience as well.

I definitely had some moments at this zoo that I wouldn’t trade, but… with an admission price of nearly $60 per person, you may want to first check out one of the cheaper/smaller zoos in the city and see if that gives you the same opportunities.

Ettamogah Pub

After spending all of our money at the zoo, a tasty but inexpensive meal was exactly what we needed. Luckily, the Ettamogah Pub delivered with dinner specials for $14.99 per person. Most non fast food meals have run us between $25-$35 a plate so a T-Bone Steak with chips and veggies for this price was a phenomenal deal.

It was here that I also got to try Australia’s own Bundaburg Rum for the first time! I’m still a Kentucky Bourbon girl at heart, but this certainly isn’t too shabby of a choice either!

Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast

Having grown up my entire life in land-locked areas, nothing overwhelms my senses with delight more than seeing the ocean. Even moreso when that ocean is lapping around with waves reaching about 5 meters high!

Some strong winds made our trip to the Gold Coast even more impressive than expected, and even with the water being too cold to go for a swim, just the view alone was breath-taking! We walked around Surfers Paradise, checking out the shops and the local architecture and ended up at the Hard Rock Café for dinner where we enjoyed their signature cocktail, the Hurricane.  Cheesy as it may be, this has become tradition for Ash and I whenever we visit a new city.   

Again, these were only a small sampling of all the sites available to see and things to do! I hope to have even more great experiences to share in the coming weeks!