Once Upon a Reef

To get us in the holiday spirit, we went to the Brisbane Openair Cinema to use the complimentary tickets I had won, to see Frankenweenie, the new Tim Burton Movie, which in true Burton style was a warm hearted, quirky movie. Prior to the start of the movie, there was free Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream and lawn chair. After which, we made the journey home, to pack, quick skype call home and attempted an early night. The Following morning, Monday 26th we rised early, quickly checked that everything was packed, we got the bus to Central Station and then the Airtrain to the airport. We were able to relax awhile in departures prior to the flight. We boarded a plane which neither of us had been on or heard of before , the F100 series which also had no corporate logo or designs. The over 2 hr flight to Cairns, wasn't too bad in itself. We got the Sun Palm Airport shuttle into Cairns, were we checked into our accommodation, Nomads Esplande.

We quickly decided to chill by going for a stroll along the Esplande and around town. Later in the evening, we decided to try the nearby Night markets for food, cos of the travelling that night we were a tad tired, and up early the next morning before 7, we ended up watching 3 movies in the common room, Year One, Fired Up and X-men.

Tuesday we were collected for our adventure into the unknown that is the Kuranda hippy commune village. The day started by boarding the Kuranda Scenic Railway train, this pleasant journey took roughly about an hour and a half along the way we got to see the beautiful scenic surroundings including the rainforest, Barron Falls, and unusual waterfall, which happened to reflect a rainbow as we passed. Once we arrived into Kuranda village, we had some free time to do what we liked. Our first stop was a local cafe so Niamh could try some Kangaroo Steak, which she describes as a chewy version of beef steak. After this, we entered the nearby walk tracks, to Skeleton Creek which is approx. 1 hour return walk. As recommended by our bus driver, to try the Home Made Tropical Fruit Ice-Cream in the Red Caravan. Niamh had the mango and lemon, where as I was gonna have the Mango and rum and raisin as was recommended by the driver.

However once Cliff in the Red Ice Cream Van, knew we were Irish, he told us his wife is a current senior navy chef, Irish and maker of the ice cream. Cliff recommended that I try the Xmas Pudding ice cream instead, as been Irish, there was more alcohol in it. So much so he has to be by law, ask your age and if your are driving, before you cant drive for 3 hours with the xmas pudding. I can testify it nearly blew my mind.
After some more exploring of the village, we made our way towards the Skyrail.

Skyrail was a pleasant and comfort experience down from Kuranda where ye stop at Barron Falls and then change Skyrail at Redpeak Station, where the rainforest is at its height. As we changed here after a quick pitstop, Niamh realised that she had left her camera in the ladies. Lucky after talking with staff, she got reunited with it. That evening after dinner, we strolled along the lagoon towards the Marina, to see where we needed to be for the boat the following morning. We hired an underwater camera for 45 dollars.

We boarded and checked in Wednesday morning at 8 am on board Seaquest which is run by Divers Den.The journey out towards the outer reef took about 90 mins, just before we got ready in the reef, Niamh, the poor thing, got sea sick everywhere. After a quick breather, we went snorkelling and got to see a reef shark, after lunch, we sped over to a different area on the reef, which both Niamh and I thought had better snorkelling views. In this new spot, we got to see Nemo, a clown fish and a sea turtle up close. Once we boarded the boat again, we made our way back towards the harbour. We decided to try the Lagoon Pool, which was comfortably warm.

That night we came upon the local Irish bar, P J O Briens, typically the happening place to be, we had dinner here, which was 12 dollars and included a drink.

Thursday morning we got the ferry to Fitzroy Island, where we spent the day, snorkelling, ocean trampoling and glass bottom boat. Let me tell ye all about the adventure that was kayaking, it started off brilliant, with some great photos, above and below water, however on the return leg back to the shore, to our shock and horror the kayak turn over on us and everything that was on board fell into the sea. Took all my energy and breath, winding me in the process,  but I managed to recover snorkel gear, 2 tshirts, and camera oh my this camera from the reef bed. All in all, despite been sun creamed to the last, but cos of the mishap of the kayak we both managed to get burnt (the following two days we were getting comments about the sunburn, we were worse then we thought). Only things which got damaged was a SD card and loss of sunglasses. The adventure which was Fitzroy will not be forgotten any time soon but was fun all the same.

Friday was our earliest start been collected at 6.30 am for the Raging Thunder White Water Rafting on the Tully River. Our rafting guide was Grant from NZ, and the rafting experience got better as the day progressed. My luck I managed to fall in at the Room of Doom Rapid, thankful quick thinking by my fellow rafters, I got pulled back in by my life jacket. Further down the river, I nearly toppled out of the raft but was saved. When some of us in the raft with for a swim down stream, we all managed to get grazed by nearby rocks. Near the end of the course, there was a opportunity to go cliff diving which was fun. We were on the Tully river approx 5 hours rafting and a BBQ was included.

Saturday morning we finally managed to have a slight sleep in, and checked out about 10 am from the hostel. We strolled around town for a while, stopping about lunch time for coffee and snack before been collected for airport. The Flight was about 16:30 and  the plane this time was a regular Virgin Blue one. The journey home was a pleasant one until outside Brisbane when it got a tad bumpy. Once landed, we made our way home thru Airtrain and Bus. We came home to a nasty surprise, a slightly flooded utility room, but lucky our consciousness neighbours managed to help us get the problem under control.

Dreamworld

The start to the day - Saturday 17th - didn't go quite according to plan, as we got off the bus and walked the the distance to the Park Road train station we got a tad lost, lucky thanks to GPS, we managed to make it to the the station to watch the train we planned to catch, depart the train. However thanks heavens there was train due in another 30 mins, due at 9.05 am. Which actually it seems ended up been more on an express than the prior one. When we arrived into Coomera Station, there was a connecting translink bus to the Dreamworld theme park, which got us there for 10.05, just as the theme park was opening, so click for again, which train we need. Added bonus and time saver was we had previously booked our unlimited world pass tickets online saving ourselves 10 dollars each. As we entered the park, we decided to go to the Dreamworld part this day as the weather at the time was overcast, we got our park map and show time details. We decided  to enter the old wild west first, and go on our ride, Thunder River Rapid Ride, we ended up getting wet but was such a laugh. after this we were strolling towards rocky hollow log ride, however we got sidetracked by a crowd gathering, we found out it was meet the Big Brother winner, Ben and queue to go inside and see the Big Brother House. So we decided sure why not got our picture taken with him and joined the queue to see the house.

  Lucky whilst we were in the house, there was a nasty downpour of rain, we managed not to get too wet. After a tour of the house we finally made it to the Log Ride, if we didn't get wet before, during the downpour, we got soaked on this ride, however was such a laugh and fun. From here we strolled through the Australian Wildlife experience area making a detour through the Avis Vintage Cars and got to experience how actually slow the Model T Ford Cars were lol. From the Wildlife area we got on the Dreamworld Railway which brought us back towards King Julien's Theatre in the Wild and we both went on the Escape from Madagascar rollercoaster. Lucky the sun started to come out around then, we decided to stop for a few mins and had the packed lunch we had brought with us in the Wiggles World area, as we had to go and collect the World Passes from the Pass Centre. Why oh why are the pictures they take for those sort of things always bizarre. After lunch we went on Mick Doohan's Motocoaster, which is a motobike rollercoater. I decided to be brave to try one of the high thrill rides, Tower of Terror II, which is one of the big 7 high rides within the theme park. Omg what a thrill and adrenaline rush. So gotta go back on that ride again when we manage to revisit the park.

In between meeting Shrek and his friends, I went on Shockwave and another high thrill ride called Wipeout, no wonder it called such. I couldn't stop laughing during the whole ride.. It was an experience to say the least. We both went on a so called kids ride called reef diver, we both agreed it made us nauseous, and this is after me been on wipeout, shockwave and tower of terror II. Before it was time to leave we decided to revisit a few of the earlier rides.

We decided to get the connecting bus to Surfers Paradise, stroll around and go visit the SkyPoint Q1 area which has 360 degrees views of the area and is the highest residential tower block in the southern hemisphere. We had a quick bite before the long trek home. It was a roughly an hour bus journey to the nearest train station and then another hour back to Brisbane. When we finally managed to arrive back, we were welcomed with the onslaught that was the thunderstorms and rain, we got soaked before we got to the connecting bus and saturated in the unpleasant sprint from the Gabba home. For hours on end, we were in complete darkness due to the weather and was just a night for the bed.

The following day was a complete and utter  washout, we were unable to even leave the house cos the weather was that bad. At least Monday so far been nice.  

Australia Zoo

We woke up Wednesday morning like children on Christmas morning, as we got ready to head to get the bus then the connecting train to Beerwah, the nearest station to Australia Zoo, where a courtesy bus picked up and dropped us off at the entrance of the zoo at 10 am. As we entered the zoo we were given a map and itinerary of show times. We first made our way to the tortoises enclosure where we observed giant Aldabran Tortoises feeding time. After which we made detour through Australian snakes, southern Hairy nosed Wombats, towards Elephantasia and the Asian Elephants enclosure, where at 10.30 am the elephant feeding was taking place, and me and Niamh both got the chance to feed Sabu, of the 3 elephants been feed at that time. That in itself we both agreed was an experience of a lifetime.

From here we saw playful Red Pandas, and strolled thru Tigers Temple and entered the African Plains, where we saw Zebra, Giraffe and Southern White Rhinoceros. We hopped onto the free shuttle at the African Plains, and jumped off at shuttle stop 2 near the Feeding Frenzy Food Court area, as we had time to spare prior to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show in the Crocoseum, we explored the surrounding enclosures seeing the Burmese Python, 9 different species of Crocodiles and Alligators, the very cute but vicious Tasmanian Devils, Dingoes, Cassowaries, Koalas Sanctuary, Binturongs and Camels. The show in the Crocoseum you see varies species of exotic birds, slithering snakes and watch a jaw snapping massive Croc launch a strike from the water's edge.

Once we came down from the adrenaline rush, we walked through the Crocodile Hunter Museum and bought some roo feed for the Kangaroos and Wallabies, as we had a voucher we were able to buy one and get one free, the feed only cost 2 dollars. Once we had the Roo feed, we entered Roo Heaven, and we noticed Echidnas before we came near the Kangaroos and wallabies, we were both feed Kangaroos, which was unreal fun experience. From the Roo Heaven, we entered the Wetlands Plains which are home to varies species of birds such as Brolgas, Jabirus, Emus. From the Wetlands, we strolled through the Koala walk- through were we got to Pat a Koala, then feed some rare red species of Kangaroos, Rainforest Aviary and Common Wombats on our way towards the talk on Koalas where you get up and close and learn bout the koala.

Like the rest of the morning, its all go, we had to dash get again to run to make the 2.15 show about Tigers in the Tiger Temple by catching the Shuttle. At the Show we observed a playful side. In the little free time we had before the birds of prey show, we went on a hunt to check out the Australian turtles, Komodo Dragon, Australian Lizards, Rhinoceros Iguanas, Kookaburras. At the birds of prey show, we saw various birds, in flight, and looking menacing. On route towards our last show of the day, seeing the Asian small clawed Otters feeding time, we ran into a Koala who we got a roving picture taken with, awe he was so cute too.
After seeing the playful but hungry otters, we exited the zoo through the gift shop and made our way to the Australia Zoo wildlife Hospital, where we got to see the work the wildlife staff do in taking care of the injured and endangered animals including the much publicized recently here in Queensland of Stuart the Koala bear, who was knocked down by a speeding car causing him to suffer a fractured neck and other animals that were attacked by dogs or shot.
After the Zoo, we made our way back onto transport towards Brisbane, where we had a proper look at the roving pictures from the zoo including the ones we bought 2for1 at the zoo. Also during our day at the Zoo I managed to win a double pass for the openair cinema, on twitter, however when made our way to the cinema, the film in question had to be changed, so we were given comp tickets to use again.

The during the week we decided to go visit the old parliament building where in the upper house, the crystal chandeliers were actually Waterford Crystal and St John's Cathedral which took 108 years to complete, been completed in 2009. We finally managed to take a spin on the city hopper ferry. Saturday morning we had to make a mad dash for shelter as we got off the bus as there was a sudden awful downpour, lucky we managed to make it to our usual coffee spot, with hot drinks in hand we made a skype call home 09:30 (23.30 Friday Irish time). After the Skype call to Mum and Dad, we however got stuck where we were due to the rain. Lucky we were able to discuss our cairns plans and such and arrange them with our travel agent Edward over the phone and by email. With a sudden let up in the rain, we ran for the bus to get near as possible to the Student Flights travel centre to finally book Cairns. We managed to get a few essential items and groceries before making the journey home now with the rain stopping.
We got to chat with our granny on the phone, and wishing her a 90th Birthday, which was great to chat with her. Also we found out our flowers arrived that day by taxi. After some enough on both mine and Niamh part, we finally got a request for her on Clare FM radio at stupid o clock from our end lol but it was so worth the effort. :)
On one of our many random walks we came upon the Kangaroo Point cliffs and the Queensland wind and brass band performing a set on the queen street mall stage. After seeing them perform we came upon various street entertainment along this street which kinda reminded us of Grafton St.

                            

   

Unpredictable Weather

Friday evening whilest out for coffee and muffin, we some how managed to win 2 set of tickets to the open air cinema in the south bank this weekend. So after some catching up on Youtube clips including one hilarious Irish parody of 50 Shades of Grey by the Irish comedian Conal Gallen which had us in stitches, must say we were getting some bizarre looks and stares in the media building, The Edge.
When we finally managed to peel our selves off the ground, we went home and watching Tinkerbell and secret of the wings with nachos and salsa to feed our inner child. We both agreed  that thought this film was nearly better than the original.

So we gradually made our way into south bank, the next day, whilest on the bus, the weather took a turn, from gorgeous  sunshine to wet downpour which ended up cancelling our VIP Ben & Jerry studded treatment at the open air cinema which would have been a Channing Tatum double bill - 21 Jump  Street / Magic Mike but at least we got 2 set of pairs of complimentary passes to use at a future screening of our choice. To cheer us up further we ended up in Max Brenner sharing a Chocolate fudge brownie sundae and cookie before heading home to watching Toy Story 3 on tv followed by Hotel Transylvania on my laptop.

I was treated to gorgeous Sunday veggie roast cooked and prepared by Niamh. After which we made our way into town via Coles to get few nibbles for the open air cinema later. Once in the culture quarter, we made our way to the museum to level 0 to the Playasaurus Place where the giant T-rex almost had a fighting match with Niamh. After few other bits, we strolled over to the Brisbane Openair, to collect our comp tickets and to our pleasant surprise, which were told, by the same woman from the previous night who has remembered us and how many times we were talking with her, not sure if that a good thing or a bad thing, that the tickets were actually VIP ones, so we were entitled to beanbag chair, comfy blanket, bottle of sparkling lemon favoured wine and as much Ben & Jerrys one could muster. Prior to the film starting at 7, there was music and games from half 4. All the games had a Ben and Jerry flavour to them, between both of us, we managed to win all the prizes that were available including T shirt, cooler bags, ice cream locks, key ring, ice cream cooler sleeve etc. Even before the film even commenced, we were having a blast, helped too that the weather was dry. Both of us agreed that the fim  - The Goonies, was actually better than we remembered.

The following day we learned Niamh was allowed to use her comp tickets for a different screening this week, so we are going Friday to see The Sapphires. To get in to the Oktoberfest mood, we both had German hot dogs, a Vegan Bratwurst and  NYC style which happened to be on 2 for 1 Tuesdays.

Typical, as were about to go to the farmers market for our now weekly veg shop on Wednesday.. we get soaked in a downpour but at least we got our veggies first :). So we decided to get out of the rain and go for coffee in our usual spot in the culture quarter - the library cafe. whilest we were there chatting away, Niamh got a last minute phone call from the agency, for a shift that night.. so after a quick dash home to get change, dinner etc.. sprinted for the bus and just and me just made the connecting train at central station... had her on the phone.. had heavens when I left her she made the train..

Despite a pleasant change in the weather, it was quite breezy, on Friday.. After our successful outing to the openair cinema on Sunday  we get to use the comp tickets Niamh had won but couldn't use due to the cancelled event on Saturday because of the rain. The film is the new Chris O Dowd film - The Sapphires based on true aboriginal story.   

Culture update

Made our way into culture quarter and south bank which seems to be turning into a daily ritual.
We made our way to the museum to get tickets to see The Mummy - secrets of the tomb but were sold out for that day - Saturday however lucky had some available for the next day -the final day. So we decided to go to the art galleries instead - GOMA And QAG.
Some how ended up playing a Qscan based phone game called secret slq which involves following clues and hint around the library.
From here we ended up strolling about south bank and ended up having dinner in burger joint called Grill'd whose chips are yummy. And for desert we decided to try the much talk about chocolate place called Max Brenner - chocolate by the bald man. My words about the foods would do it an injustice, simply out of this world. When we got home ended up booking tickets for the Ben & Jerry's Brisbane open air cinema which runs here during various evenings during the summer.

Our now daily trek into town, bought us to the museum to see the mummy which entailed a 3-D movie narrated by none other than Patrick Stewart, followed by walking around 4 mummy remains including the top billed remains of Nesperennub and other ornaments involved in the burial ritual.
Once we were finished with the exhibit, went exploring other aspects of the museum including the discovery centre on level 3, dressed by the best exhibit on level 4 and of course Queensland own discovery of the dinosaur Muttaburrasaurus langdoni.

Leaving the museum we walked through the whales mall.
We will so have to make a visit to the sciencentre and ENERGEX Playasaurus Place next opportunity we get.

All Blacks

One of my highlights this year has to be seeing some of the rugby world champions New Zealand All Blacks this morning in Queen street Mall stage. It was complete mayhem and chaos with the crowds going down the street and beyond. The weather couldn't have been nicer, it was so hot and warm, I'm glad I decided to wear shorts and top. The highlights for me had to finally get to see Dan Carter in the flesh and person.

                                               

             

                            

Brisbane Update

Quick update:

Now we are settled into Brisbane, its finally nice to be unpacked and not to be living out of a suitcase. We are living in a suburb called Kangaroo Point, its a nice and peaceful little spot, about 30/40 mins walk or 5 mins by bus to either South Bank and the Culture Quarter or over Story Bridge to The Valley. Niamh started doing agency work, so far worked in a few different hospitals and seems to enjoy the work to date.
The Culture Quarter seems to be where we spend a lot of our free time, as the man made beach and swimming pool, nice place to chill and relax. We learnt that the coffee/hot chocolate is very different in the space of ten feet, the cafe in the museum is below standard where as what seems to be turning into our local cafe, the Library Cafe, has yet to steer us wrong in food or drinks and the free WI-FI accessible from the state library doesnt hurt things either.
On Monday 15th, as Niamh was working in the Logan Hospital, I decided to head into Culture quarter whilest I was waiting for her to come into town, and went for coffee and see the GOMA, one must keeps ones culture up. Throughout the week, when Niamh wasnt working we went for a swim and such along the South Bank, Stroll over the Good Will Bridge to the Botanic City Gardens and a quick visit around QUT Campus and Old Government House Museum.

Something which we only discovered as we were on our way for a coffee that there a farmers market every Wednesday Afternoon in Brisbane Square, where we managed to pick up some bargains.
But the Highlight of our trip so far as been meeting some of the Qantas Wallabies in Queen Street Mall Stage today and getting our photos with them and getting a mini rugby ball signed. On such a high, we decided to go retail shopping for a few bits. To round off the evening we went for coffee and listened to stories through indigenous eyes in an event called Black Ink, which is it seems is on the 3rd Thursday of the month.

New Zealand Vids

The videos of our travels around New Zealand including :

1. Below Zero Ice Bar - Queenstown
2. The March of the Penguin - Curio Bay
3. The Waddle of the Sea Lion - Surat Bay
4. The View from Nugget Point Lighthouse - Nugget Point
5. The Cry of the Fur Seals - Nugget Point
6. Cadbury World Window Display - Dunedin
7. Liam's Kawarau Bridge Bungy  - Outside Queenstown
8. Cable Car - Wellington
9. Lady Knox Geyser - Rotorua
10-15 Maori Culture and Experience - Auckland Museum

Brisbane

As we arrived so early into Brisbane, we ended up watching Wanderlust on my laptop at the Roma Street Train Station. After which we made our way to Chill backpackers despite a good location we weren't overly impressed. After a quick bite to eat, we went off exploring, and happened to find the culture quarter on South Bank. It quite a lovely area containing the museums, state library (free WI-FI), a quaint cafe, man made beach outdoor swimming area. and the Wheel of Brisbane.

During most of our time we stayed in chill back packers was actually spent at the library looking for accommodation and jobs. Then Wednesday we walked and carted our luggage from chill to bunk backpackers in fortitude valley which was a pleasant  change and experience. The first night we actually got a welcome cocktail and meeting and then at half 6 free snack. Despite some of the lack luster and sometimes worrying accommodation, we found a house in Kangaroo Point. One of the highlights of our stay in the valley was a free subway and drink that Niamh and me got thanks to registering free online and discovering vegan hot dog at a place called 5 Dogs.

On Tuesday Whilest I did the RSA (Responsible Serving of Alcohol) cert course, Niamh went to the AHPRA about her registration for nursing.

On Wednesday, Niamh went to her appointment for HCA (or NAA) sorting out the last few bits of paper work. After a tad bit of advice Niamh started badgering AHPRA about the reg.

On Saturday we strolled from the Valley down to South Bank as it was such a beautiful day and went to the beach for a swim. We treated ourselves to a ice cream cone with nuts. Still managed to end up at the state library lol which yet again for the third day running ended up helping a damsel in technological distress.

Yesterday enjoyed a lazy Sunday getting ready for the move and spent time in the hot tub. The lazy Sunday came about due to lack of sleep induced by the French dorm mate bagging some random French hartlet.

Monday morning early rise due to check out of the hostel and making the  2km plus walk over Story Bridge (I still think it was an endurance test) towards kangaroo point our new house for the next 3 months. Finally unpacked and sorted into the house. After a quick dash back from Coles to turn off the oven, couldn't have timed it better, food was just done. After which did the first big shown Coles and made our daring escape with the trolley filled of groceries (paid) back up the hill to the house.

Sydney

Flight landed into Sydney Int. Airport about 8 am, after collecting baggage and such, the most  long and tedious wait through passport control and customs. We waited for the free shuttle to the hostel, which was slight wait due to the morning rush of flights into the airport. We left our suitcases in the luggage storage room, which was interesting trying to bring them done a windy staircase whilst there was a painter painting the walls. We then went off on the trek around the city. During the morning stroll, we managed to get our bank accounts and mobile numbers sorted. Before returning to the hostel, we had a coffee break which just happened to be Starbucks lol. The Hostel in question was the Westend Nomads, where do I begin about this hostel, mmm, the lift had a mind of its own, when it worked, which isn't fun when your on the 6th floor, which brings me onto the facilities and staff, lack of and rude. So when the lift wasn't working, the use of the stairs was unusual and I can't see how could have passed fire and safety. Once checked in and that, we started to explore the city properly, firstly seeing the famous Westfield Shopping Centre, which would be any fashionista's place of heaven, here is also the home of the Sydney Skytower. We walked down Elizabeth street toward the Wharf, where you sights of the city pier, the Opera house, Harbour Bridge, Botanic Gardens amongst other sights.

We ate at a local chipper near the wharf. We decided to walked the 30 min or so back to the hostel down along Macquarie Street, passing the Botanic Gardens, State Library of New South Wales and such. We had an early night due jet lag.
We got up early on day 2 undertaking a self guarded tour of the city, seeing Parliament House, Art Gallery of NSW, The State Library, passing the Hyde  Park Barracks, Sydney Hospital, St Mary's Cathedral before heading down near Circular Quay, entering the Custom House where there a 3D model of the city, from here went to the Contemporary Art Gallery, Nurses Walk, the Rocks and the Observatory.

Circular Quay looks so much different light up at night, especially the Opera House and the Sky tower. We gradually made our way back towards the hostel walking down George Street house to some of Sydney Designer stores including of course one of the Biggest Apple stores we've ever seen. We ate that night in an Irish Bar called Scruffy Murphys where if you buy a soft drink or alcoholic beverage you could get a meal for 7 dollars which was quite tasty. After this we went down stairs as there was a quiz one. The quizmaster was a unusual bred of entertainer, we ended staying here for a few hours good laugh..

We got up early the Friday morning and made our way to the train station, where we got a Day Multi Trip pass for 21 dollars (Bus, Train and Public ferries) to Bondi Junction and then the bus towards the beach. We spent a small while here, over crowded and over hyped. Once we made our way back into the city, we got the train over Harbour bridge to Milton Point and from here got the ferry back. Another reason the hostel annoyed me so much, was the fact the electrics blew yes I mean blew my good world travel adapter, so made the mad dash run around George Street, managed to get one in Woolworths for 10 dollars, which is still serving me well. It was a quiet after that due to the thunder and lightning during the night.
After Check out Saturday at 10 am , we relaxed around the town before making our way by train to Central Station via quick stop off at Apple store. We got the 16.10 train from Sydney to Brisbane, we arrived 6.30am. The journey was over 14 hours and was not totally bad experience, we would travel by Country Link again.