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Friday, December 12, 2008

Summer Holiday Driving North towards Sunshine Coast, Australia

Driving north and out of Brisbane some 90 KM brings you to yet another holiday coatal location, the Sunshine Coast. While, it lacks the crowd that the Gold Coast offers, this stretch of beautiful beaches is yet another holiday stretch that attracts many.

Driving along the coast, takes you from Caloundra to Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Marcoola and Noosa Heads. One thing that caught my attention, is the older group of people around, perhaps this is a place for retirement, good peaceful with amenities suited for the old age.

A good place to detour is the Glass House Mountain, a bit long winding up to the Outlook.
Glass House Mountains - view from top

Further up the way, another good stop is the Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo - on way to Sunshine Coast

Upon reaching Mooloolaba, checked in a Pacific Beach Resort, a beachfront Hotel right in the center of Mooloolaba

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The Unit is a 2 bedroom holiday apartment, a bit pricey, but very good location

Very good view from the wide balcony of hotel
View from Balcony - Pacific Beach Resort

Beach Front is bit quiet on this weekday, I believe it's different for weekend as the rooms appear heavily booked for the season
Mooloolaba Beach Front

Driving further north along the coast, a short distance is Coolum, beach is very good for surfing.
Coolum Beach Front

After a while further north is Noosa Heads. Very nice place but pricey
Noosa Heads - Hastings Street

On way back to brisbane, a detour towards inland via another route brought us to Montville
Glass House Mountains - view from top

Specialty Shops lining up the main streets, good leisurely stroll under shades of trees lining the streets during a very hot afternoon
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Seemed like a good landmark
Montville  Landmark - MontRose

A good short trip up the Sunshine Coast.

Posted by
Ivan

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Summer Holiday- Great Spots down Australia Gold Coast

Located some 90 kilometers south of Brisbane, and driving down south the Pacific Motorway towards one of Australia greatest holidays locations, brings you to a number of different vacation spots that will appeal to both the young and adult.

Renting a car would provide you the convenience of moving around to the many places that are interesting and exciting requiring you to stop.

First, the car is economical for a holiday that requires to move around frequently and more importantly at your leisure pace.
Rented Car - convenient & economicalA small car comes handy

Along the HighWay, there are various spots that one can visit, the Wet n Wild Water World, The Australian Outback, Movie World.

Wet n Wild Water WorldWet Wet World of Excitement

Wet n Wild Water WorldEntrance to Wet World of Excitement

Australia Outback The Outback Spectacular

And then you can have some good and leisure shopping at very reasonable prices at Harbour Town Surburb just before entering into Gold Coast

Harbour Town - leisure shopping Shopping leisure pace

When you finally arrived at the Gold Coast, the Surfers Paradise is right at the strategic location where all the action is. It is important that you pick a hotel that is convenient for moving around late at night.

Fo accommodation, Holiday Inn was quite value for money considering the Summer Holiday season. Furthermore, located just at the center of the Surfers Paradise, it is at the right spot, within short walking distance to shopping, food both day and night as well as the central front to the Surfers Paradise beach.

GoldCoast Skyline By DayGoldCoast Skyline from Balcony of Hotel


Few good food outlets and restaurants are strongly recommended as they are really value for money for the food they served. Various types ranging from western, to asian food such as chinese, japanese, korean, vietnamese and middle eastern are all readily available.

Japanese Restaurant A Good Place for Japanese food

A night out for western dinner at the Captain Table

The Captain Table - adjacent to Surfers Paradise The Captain Table

An extremely good and value for money spot for chinese food, just across the hotel

China House RestaurantChina House-Just Opposite Hotel

Whole big Lobster served with other seafood, yummy

Whole Lobster c/w SeafoodWhole Lobster

Planet Hollywood is convenient

Planet Hollywood RestaurantPlanet Hollywood

Planet Hollywood -  Blend of ManyA Good Mix

The Surfer's Paradise beachfront

Surfers Paradise Beach Front CenterBeach Center Crossing

Surfers Paradise BeachAnd for Swimming and lazing around

Surfers Paradise - where action isFor Shopping and dining

And by night time

PhotobucketSafe Walking About

It is just wonderful, with the day time temperature rising to about 30 deg centigrade daytime and dropping to about 20 deg night time. It's a wonderful part of Australia, no wonder they claim to offer the greatest holiday ever. Any experience to share?

Posted by
Ivan

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Leisure Vacation - Down Brisbane Queensland Australia

Taking a holiday down under, visiting the city of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia leisurely and better still drive around.

My 1st day driving around came up with few surprising spots. Never expected to find such gathering of so many Asian flavors all together in such spots.


I am not talking about China town but Sunnybank surburb and Toowong.





Sunnybank just a few kilometers down south driving along the Highway to Gold Coast, just turned off the KLump and Main inter-sections brings you to a potpourri of the Asian culture and food outlets.

SunnyBank - Here, one can find supermarkets and stores that sells you a host of things that are asian and availble back home.

One can buy a lot of ingredient to cook their home food, or better still dine in from the variety of food outlets that serve chinese, thai, vietnamese, indian, and many others

On can choose a variety of asian food to suit your appetite. The portion is hugh and cost is very reasonable.


One can find Little HongKong, one that serve good roasted meat and duck. You must try this, very big portion and reasonable price. Suggest the portion be shared by 2 person.












Yet another Little Singapore and Little who knows what!

















Just short distance outside west of Brisbane, one comes into the Toowong area where one can see again few food outlets serving asian food.


Just around the corner of the Toowong Center where one can do shopping at ease.













Wanna try some noodles done Asian styles?
















One can even get to taste Laksa from Laksa Hut













Posted by
Ivan