Cairns Day 7

Time to leave Mackay for Brisbane. We sped to Mackay Airport as we were getting late, but unfortunately, missed our morning flight and had to pay extra to catch the next flight in the afternoon. Was a little sad to part with the trusty car that took us over a thousand miles, that ran over roadkill, that was caught on speed camera in Mackay, and that harvested a its own roadkill bounty of flies of all sorts.

Works as well as a flytrap

Miners Lodge Motor Inn

Reached Brisbane in the late afternoon. Decided not to rent any car as I was daunted by the confusing network of roads and heavy traffic. Took a cab to our accommodation to Econolodge along Main Street. It was an expensive cab ride of $50!

It was colder in Brisbane, at about 16 deg Celsius, despite the sun shining so brightly in the cloudless blue sky. The Econolodge is a decent and affordable motel situated in a quiet neighbourhood, and we were quite pleased with their clean and modern rooms.

Our room

We then took a Citycat ferry (bloody expensive - $4.50 to just cross over to the other side of the river) to the CBD of Brisbane, and explored that area. Nothing much, mainly expensive retail stores, fine dining restaurants, cultural landmarks and small Asian stores selling large sushi handrolls.

Brisbane River

Exploring the city centre

Brisbane's famous Story Bridge

CBD at night

Boarded the ferry back from the Eagle Street stop

The sophisticated and cosmopolitan feel of Brisbane is so different from the laidback and rugged outdoors of Cairns, Townsville and Mackay that we had experienced and enjoyed previously. Brisbane holds nothing for us and we could not wait to return home the next day.