Monday 25 August 2008

Wins 1999 $2167

Oral B pack $20
Fish pack $30
Teddybear $50
PJs $30
Kmart Voucher $20
Winfield hat $15
Chickadees book $5
Treasure island Book $10
Maternity voucher $100
1 months supplt chips $50
Bebelle pack $20
Thomas Tank Pack $60
Herbal Essences pack $25
Stefan Voucher $50
First Aid Kit $100
Colgate pack $20
Franklins shirt and bottle $15
Fruit tray $60
Lullaby tape $15
Homeopathic teething pack $25
Movie pass x2 $20
walkman $200
paralympics tickets $60
Starwars jigsaw $40
starwars tickets $25
10 Cd singles $50
Backstreet boys cd single $5
Johnsons pack $25
baby expo passes $25
maggi packs x 5 $50
zippo $50
cookie monster book $5
godzilla video $25
dirty dog sunglasses $200
tomee tippee baby bottles $30
soccer ball $20
movie tickets walk on moon $25
hooley dooley pack $80
al dente cookbook $10
Stuf pack $20
lullaby tape $10
white king hamper $80
movie pass Elmo $40
fish book $5
recipe cards $5
Lays $10
LCM's pack $15
Grand theft auto pack $100
Tickets Inspector gadget $40
Oneill wallet $10
leggos cookbook $5
Its a girl cd $15
movie tickets Muppets in space $40
lion pin $10
Febreeze $7
Al dente cookbook $5
hallmark pack $20
pokemon cards $30
talking teletubby $50

Wins 1998 $355

Cinderella On Ice pack $30
Wok $30
All saints Pack $30
Scallywags pass $15
Armageddon Cd $20
Hallmark Pack $15
Mother and baby Pack $15
Potty $30
single bed doona and curtains $150
Silymitt pack $5
Cheesesticks $5
Nickelodeon shirt $10

Wins 1997 $677

Coke Backpack $25
2 tickets Michael $20
Photo voucher $100
So good drink pack $5
Fire and Ice tickets $7
Southbank on Ice tickets $15
Swan Princess pack $60
Titanic Soundtrack $25
Tickets to Disney on Ice $100
Teletubby set $80
Wetn wild pass $80
Backpack $10
Men in Black Pack $100
Sofa Lounge kids $50
Cocacola gold sovereign $200

wins 1996 $445

Auto Night light $20
Tickets to Frozenworld $25
Pooh Bear Nursery Products $400

wins 1995 $50

750gm pack ColdPower $10
Baby Bottle set $10
Baby bottles $10
Disney Wall Plaque $5
Desk Calendar $5
Temperature dummy $10

Saturday 23 August 2008

The Brisbane Eye

The Brisbane Eye opens this week at Southbank.


"World Tourist Attractions Australia is proud to announce the arrival in 2008 of a new 60m wheel, in partnership with the South Bank Corporation. The wheel is located at the South Bank in the heart of Brisbane's cultural, lifestyle and entertainment district.

After a brief introduction to the facilities available, passengers enter one of the 42 fully enclosed, climate controlled capsules and are gently lifted to a height of 60 meters for a spectacular view of the city. Lasting approximately 13 minutes, the wheel experience also features a commentary pointing out local landmarks.

We welcome visitors with disabilities to The Wheel of Brisbane. Wheelchair users please note that the door width is 74cm, however standard wheelchairs are available on site, subject to availability.

Tickets can be purchased in person from the ticket office located at the wheel, advanced booking, at discounted rates, is also available via our online system

The Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank is owned and operated by World Tourist Attractions Australia Pty Ltd."

Pricing:

Online:

Adult : $13.50
Child (3-12 years) : $9.00
Child (1-3 years) : $1.80
Infant : FREE
Private Gondola : $85.50

Onsite:

Adult : $15.00
Child (3-12 years) : $10.00
Child (1-3 years) : $2.00
Infant : FREE
Private Gondola : $95.00

60m high, the same height as the Eye that was at Seaworld for 2006/2007.
Higher then the Eye that was at the Ekka which was 45m (and the old Ekka ferris wheel is 35m)
http://www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk/wta_wheel_brisbane.php

Friday 8 August 2008

Strathpine Park

Things to do: Bring your bikes, watch the ducks on the ponds,bring a ball to kick around, visit the site of the Normanby distillery, a great playground for the kids,climb the lookout, room to run!

Getting There: Catch a train to Strathpine Station and cross the road at the lights.

Don't Forget: Hats, suncreen

Check Out: The paths keep going along past Westfield shopping centre

Other Options: Visit Westfield Foodcourt for lunch.
Visit Lei Park at Lawnton

More Info:
Bike path maps
http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1132528&pid=1095923458&sid=
http://www.petercampbellrealty.com/NowandThen/NormanbyDistillery.htm
http://www.maxlink.com.au/pinerivers/PARK/pineriv.htm

Mayne Inheritance Tours

Tours for 2008 are over, but contact Livingheritage to be informed of tours in 2009.

Tour of sites associated with the Mayne family and the bizarre murder mystery.
Cost $40

More Info:
http://www.brisbanelivingheritage.com/02_cal/details.asp?ID=951&varPeriod=1

More Info on the Mayne Family
http://www.brisbites.com/mayneSelect.asp
http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_in_time/Transcripts/s527155.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mayne_Inheritance
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/lifestyle/literary-brisbane

Maleny Dairy Farm

THIS ONE YOU WILL NEED TRANSPORT FOR, but I am including it as it is an interesting day out.

Things to Do: Dairy Farm tour and free tasting.

Getting There: Maleny is 30km south west of Caloundra

Don't Forget: closed in shoes, hat and sunscreen

Check Out: The Lunch Menu available and fresh milk at great prices.

Other Options: Nearby Mary Cairncross Park.

More Info:
http://www.malenydairies.com/tours.html
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/sunshine-coast/places-to-visit/maleny/
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/see-and-do/places-to-see/maleny-montville-mapleton

Sunday 20 July 2008

Books read 2004

Books read 2004
Everythings Eventual
Lord of the rings2
The guardian
The usual Rules
Eleven Hours
Blue Diary
Don't let her see me cry
Diary of a mad mother to be
Small acts of kindness
Barry Trotter
Diary of a mad bride
The society Murders
My story A different sort of real
My story 2 different families
My story Plague and federation
My story A banner bold
Man and boy
Man and wife
My story Snowy
My story surviving sydney cove
My story Fords and flying machines
My story The bombing of darwin
Bare Bones
I'm not scared
Tooth and claw
My story Who am I?
My story the yankee whaler
My story Rum rebellion
My story on board the bousoulle
Oh to be a marching girl
The carriage house
The bride stripped bare
Nectar
West of the blue gums
The alphabet sisters
So many books so little time
My sisters keeper
Barry trotter and the unneccesary sequel
When the wattles bloom
When the bough breaks
Song of susannnah
Hannahs gift
The girl most likely
Expecting Emily
The singing Bird
Keeping faith
Interpreter of maladies (bcrossing)
The wrong door
Xstacy
Jessica (bcrossing)
Monday Mourning
Three wishes
Blowfly
The davinci code
Songs of the humpback whale
Perfect Victim
The friendship cake ( bcrossing)
Visible panty line
A peculiar chemistry
The red tent (bcrossing)
Eat Cake
Inheriting Jack
Walking Naked
The true and outstanding adventures of the hunt sisters
The five photos of my wife (bookcrossing)
The bad mothers handbook
Peeling the onion
Like water for chocolate
The curious incident of the dog in the night time
Dying for Cake
Starting from square two
He died with a felafel in his hand
allmenarebastards.com
Name and Address withheld
Sacking the stork
It's not you, it's me
Rabbit proof fence
Skipping christmas
Diary of a mad housewife
The solomon sisters wise up
the naked husband
the five people you meet in heaven
recipes for easy living

Books read 2005

1Spellbound (My sisters copy)
2 The Great Gatsby
3 Nine Months
4 Forrest Gump
5 Praise
6 Adultery
7 Diary (Library copy)
8 The tasmanian Babes Fiasco (Library copy)
9 The bad beginnning
10 PS I Love you (Library copy)
11 Letters from the Inside
12 The Dark tower
13 1988
14 The white Earth (Library copy)
15 The Road to the dark tower
16 Matthew Flinders Cat
17 The year of living famously
18 The other woman (My sisters copy)
19 Whose wedding is it anyway?
20 No 1 Ladies detective agency
21
Tuesdays With morrie
22 The Sooterkin
23 Life of Pi
24 Sickened
25 Feeling Sorry for Celia
26 Angel Rock
27 Swimming in Silk
28 I have a bed made of buttermilk pancakes
29 Letters for Emily
30 Finding Cassie Crazy
31 The Kingdom where nobody dies (library copy)
32 Extraordinary lives of Ordinary People (library copy)
33 The Witches
34 Hating Alison Ashley (My daughters copy)
35 84 Charing Cross Road
36 Firehead
37 Jacks story
38 Looking for Andrew McCarthy
39 The Lambing Flat
40 Puberty Blues
41
Playing Beatie Bow
42
Bookcrossing through Middle Earth
43 The Secret Life of Bees (library copy)
44 Homeland
45 Bridget Jones's Diary:The Edge of Reason
46 The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy and 5 other stories
47 Year of wonders
48 Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince (My sons copy)
49 The Time Traveller's Wife
50 The Year of living Aimlessly (my sisters)
51 Swimming Upstream
52 Pay it Forward
53 Faith Singer
54 Tomorrow when the war began
55 The Dead of the night
56 The third day, the frost
57 Darkness be my Friend
58 The Wendy House
59 Burning for Revenge (library copy)
60 The night is for hunting
61 The Other side of Dawn
62 While I live:The Ellie Chronicles (library copy)
63 Angels in the Architecture
64 The Sunday Philosophy club" (didn't finish it)
65 Marry me
66 No Safe Place
67 Killing Superman
68 Shiver
69 Checkers
70 Tales from a Broad
71 I Knit Water (library copy)
72 Words to walk by
73 The Devil wears Prada
74 The magicians Son
75 887 ideas for busy families
76 Catalyst
77 Just One Tear
78 The Whalers Garden
79 Spin Cycle
80 Drip Dry
81 Odd socks (library copy)
82 The Girl with a Pearl Earring
83 The Jane Austen Book Club
84 Nightmare on Norfolk
85 Olivia Joules and the overactive Imagination
86 The Childstone Cycle
87 Bloody Brisbane
88 Incurable: The Ellie Chronicles (library copy)
89 Winter
90 The Mommy Chronicles (library copy)
91 Lucky
92 The Colorado Kid (library copy)
93 The Inner Circle
94 The Reading group (library copy)
95 The Magicians Nephew
96 The Lion the witch and the wardrobe
97 The horse and his boy
98 Prince Caspian
99 Voyage of the dawn Treader
100 The Silver Chair
101 The Last Battle
102 Vanishing Acts

Books read 2006

1The Thompson Gunner (I cheated and skimmed throught the 2nd half)(library copy)
2The private Life of the cat who (library copy)
3 peepshow
4 If only it were true (library copy)
5 A wrinkle in time
6 Rubdown
7 The sisterhood of the travelling pants
8 Laylas Story
9 The second summer of the sisterhood
10 Cell
11 Tully
12 Dear venny, Dear Saffron (library copy)
13 The man who ate a 747
14 Lost and found
15 Cloudstreet ARC
16 The True Green of Hope
17 The Prophecy of the gems ARC
18 The Bone people ARC
19 the tenko Club
20 Grace
21 My Story Riding with Thunderbolt
22 My Story A Marathon of her own
23 My Story Our Don Bradman
24 My Story Africa World war 2
25 Cocaine Blues
26 The Jerilderie Letter
27 We need to talk about Kevin
28 Behind the Scenes at the museum ARC
29 Stepford Wives
30 Tirra Lirra by the river ARC
31 The Orange Girl
32 Red Thread (library copy)
33 The year Nick McGowan came to stay
34 Usher
35 Njunjul the sun (library copy) ARC
36 Who killed Angelique
37 Who Killed Bianca
38 Who killed Camilla
39 Picnic at Hanging rock
40 Home from Home
41 Confessions of a reformed Dieter
42 The Shark Net ARC
43 The Secret History ARC
44 The idea Of Perfection ARC
45 In my fathers Den
46 Holes
47 Bush Oranges
48 Johnno
49 Flying High
50 My Story Darwin
51 Paper Nautilus
52 My story Outback
53 How I live Now
54 Three dog night
55 The Tenth Circle
56 The Alchemist
57 Firehouse
58 Romeo of the Underworld
59 Hotel Bellevue
60 The house on River Terrace
61 Little twist of texas
62 Monica Bloom
63 She's come Undone
64 The Tiger Project
65 Under the Mulberry tree
66 The Naked Heart
67 I know this much is true
68 Absolutely Faking It
69 Lisey's Story
70 The five people you meet in Hell
71 Never Let me go
72 Eucalyptus (quit half way due to inducing narcolepsy)
73 Dragonkeeper
74 New Zealand DK Guide
75 A guide to Fraser Island
76 Literary Trivia
77 The Good Web site Guide 2005 (Uk version and it lists bookcrossing as started in UK!)
78 Lonely Planet Adelaide and South Australia
79 101 things to do before you die
80 Story Bridge Idea to Icon
81 Signspotting
82 UntouristBrisbane
83 Kiwis might Fly
84 Blackwattle Road (Edited to add that I finished it 4 hours before 2007!)

Books read 2007

Books read 2007
One Sunday
Strange Rain
One More River to Cross
The Long Road of the Junkmailer
The Road
The Vintners Luck
Bookcrossing through Middleearth
Farewell my Ovaries
Journey To Eureka
Love,Shelley
Eragon
Odd One Out
The Bone Flute
Whale Rider
Booklover
Ella Minnow Pea
Bad Twin
Sharing Blood
Speak Softly, she'll hear
Chickenfeed ----20
Happy Birthday and all that
Caught in the Headlights
Each Way Bet
Stiff
Bones (tv series tie in)
Nights of rain and Stars
Shallows
Only a Mother could love him
Three weeks in Bali
Cherry Pie
The secret dreamworld of a shopoholic (I hate Bex)
Eldest
Nineteen Minutes
Under the Green Moon
A wedding in December
Baby Daze (read about 1/3 of it)
The Denniston Rose
To the boy in Berlin
Underground
Bend in the river ---40
My Story Refugee
Somehow form a family
Crime and Tide Brisbane River Mysteries
Murder Under the Mangoes
Peril under the Pandanus
The Motorcycle cafe
Heart of Coal
Catching the Current
Fly the Rebel Flag Battle at Eureka
Break No Bones ---50
Murder by Water
The lime bar (quit half way through as it sucked!)
Three dirty women and the garden of death (quit half way through as it is very badly written)
The book thief
Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows
Earthly Delights
One Book Many Brisbanes
Red Velvet Memoirs of a working girl
Bridge to Terabithia
Bubbles Ablaze
Heatwave
Joel and Cat set the Story Straight
For love and a Beetle
Bubbles in Trouble
Bubbles Unbound
Bad to the Bones Qld crimewriters
Light on Snow
The Phillip Island Murder
Ticket to Trouble
The Bizarre death of Karla Borsch (1/2) --70
The Nanny Diaries
Stiff
The boy in the striped Pajamas
The Three Pronged dagger
Ipod! therefore I am!
The Dragon man
Bones to Ashes
Grave Secrets
Bare Bones(Yep I spent a weekend with Tempe!)
Heartsick ----80
Cross Bones (Thanks L1nda for continuing my Tempe obsession!)
Inside out, upside down
Speedcleaning
The Kite Runner
Across the Nightingale floor The Otori episode 1
Hot Iron Corrugated sky, 100 years of Queensland writing
Mary Mary
Those Faraday Girls
The Form Guide
The Christmas Visitor ---90
Pop goes the Weasel
Hell Island
Q is for Quarry
Red Leaves
Badground
Shopaholic and baby (I still hate Bex but I'm curious how she can cope with a child)
Sunrise on Kusatsu harbour
Across the Nightingale floor --98
No shitting in the toilet
Blaze

Books Read 2008

Books Read 2008
Deja Dead (yahoo Tempe again!)
PS I Love you
It's my party and I'll knit if I want to
Life Expectancy
Death du jour
Deadly Decisions
Fatal Voyage
Touch Me I'm sick
Diary of a Married Call Girl
The Timewasters letters
Friday Night Knitting club
Cancervixen
A Spot of Bother
The showgirl and the Brumby
Betrayed
The Memory Keepers Daughter
The Road to paradise (mums)
A Thousand Splendid suns
Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl
How to Kill your Husband 20
A Quality of Light
The Husband
Unlocking the meaning of LOST
Bed Rest
Real Wired Child
Postcards from the bed
Clan of the Cave Bear
Girlfriend in a coma
Rainbow Boys
Lonely Planet Sydney
Change of Heart
Danny Wallace and the Journey to the centre of the Universe
One for the Money
Broken
Almost French
Diaries of an Internet Lover
The Apricot Colonel
Sheer Abandon
In One Skin
Menace in the Mulga 40
One Book Many Brisbanes 3
The Front
Rex Granger
Tomaree
The Almost Moon
The Notebook
Bypass
My Horizontal Life
Pieces of Blue
The Broken Book 50
Au reviour
Last Drinks
The washerwomans Dream
Deadly Tide
Bubbles A Broad
Man Bites Dog
Head Over Heels
Amanda's Wedding
1st to Die
2nd Chance 60
3rd Degree
The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy
Secret Sydney
The Lucy Family Alphabet
Black Ice
Still Waters
Shopaholic ties the Knot
In Touch With Grace
Wife For Hire
Serendipity 70
Lovestruck
Life on the refrigerator door
The Wishlist
Bet Me
All my life for sale
Nights in Rodanthe
A Taste for It
When a Tree Falls
Homecoming
Wits End before Breakfast 80
Booklust
Fleeced!
17 Browning Street
Voodoo doll
More Booklust
Eat,Pray, Love
Odd Thomas
Forever Odd
Brother Odd
Odd Hours
Living the Good Life

Saturday 12 April 2008

RiverLife Brisbane River

A Different view of the River.
Minimum 8 years.

Things To D0:
Hire a kickbike, a regular bike or rollerblades
Guided Kayaking sessions
RockClimbing/Abseiling
Pumpabiking
Night Kayaking sessions with Wine and Canapes or Hahn and Prawns

Getting There:
Catch a ferry from Eagle Street to Thornton Street
Walk over the Goodwill Bridge

Don't Forget:
Hat,sunscreen and water

Check Out:
The Sand Tobogganing run through their sister company at Tangalooma.
The view from the top of the cliffs

Other Options:
After 2 guided Kayaking sessions you can hire a canoe on your own.

More Information:
http://www.riverlife.com.au/

Sunday 30 March 2008

Rocky Horror Picture Show With Live Floor show

Something different, 18+ event

Cards for Sorrow are a Brisbane group who host showings of RHPS with a live floorshow, at The Globe in the Valley, the same cinema RHPS screened at during the 70's.
Tickets are $15 and bookings are recommended 0733975847

Audience participation is encouraged (but no mess), sometimes prizes are given out for the best costume too.



More Information:
http://www.kristianfletcher.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rockyhorrorbrisbane

Saturday 29 March 2008

Woodford

Woodford is a lovely small country town to visit.

Things to Do:
Ride the Durundur Railway
Visit the Storeybrook Herb Cottage
In Dec-Jan the Woodford Folk Festival is on (free buses from Caboolture Train Station)

Getting There:
Brisbane Buslines runs a bus from Caboolture
http://www.brisbanebuslines.com.au/timetables/country/default.asp

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and a hat

Check Out:
Elvis Parsley at Grapeland in the main street.
The Woodford Lions Country Markets are on the 3rd Sunday.

Warning:
The train line only operates on the 1st and 3rd Sundays

Other Options:
Storeybrook Cottage has a B&B.

More Information:
http://www.angrms.org.au/index.html
http://www.storeybrook.com.au/train.html
http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/

Ipswich

Ipswich has enough things to do to keep you busy for a few days or a few visits!

Things to Do:
Visit the Railway Workshops
Visit Queens Park and the Nature Centre
Visit Global Arts Centre at the Ipswich Art Gallery
Bushwalks at Denmark Hill Conservation Park
Follow the Ipswich Heritage Trail
Enjoy the new Riverwalk area and visit this area at night to see the creature light show

Getting There:
Catch a train to Ipswich

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and Hats
Queens Park has a kiosk, BBQ facilities and a lookout

Check Out:
The old Railway Bridge remnants behind the shopping centre on the edge of the river.

Other Options:
Catch a train further on to Rosewood
Visit the grave of Dan Kelly in the Ipswich Cemetery

More Information:
http://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/

http://www.ipswichcentral.com.au/river/
http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/attractions/ipswich2.html
http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/parks_reserves_precincts/parks_search/index.php?id=75
http://www.ironoutlaw.com/html/writings_hall.html

Toombul Kalinga Park

Another great playground, away from traffic with public toilets and lots of different playground equipment.

Things to Do:
Bring a picnic
Bring your bikes,scooters etc and use the bikepaths nearby

Getting There:
Catch a train to Toombul Station

Don't Forget:
Water, hats and sunscreen

Check Out:
The old Mine of the Northern side of the creek

Other Options:
Follow the pathways and cross over Shaw Rd to see the wildlife in the wetlands.

More Information:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/activeandhealthy/families/kidsparks/



Brisbane CBD

There are many things you can do within the CBD of Brisbane.

Things to Do:
Visit the new Central Library which has a great children's section
Roma Street Parklands has lovely flowers and a great playground
Visit the Museum of Brisbane
Go up in the tower of the Town Hall
Visit Brisbane's oldest building The Windmill
Climb Jacob's Ladder
Look at the Plaques for the Brisbane Literary Trail in Albert st
CBD parks- Anzac Square,Post Office Square, Brisbane Square,King George Square,Victoria Square.

Getting There:
Catch a Train,bus or a citycat to the City

Don't Forget:
Hats and sunscreen

Check Out:
The Cathedrals of Brisbane are beautiful!
Brisbane Arcade off Queen st is an amazing old style arcade

Other Options:
Visit Southbank
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens
The Commissariat Museum

More Information:
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:961969855:pc=PC_1236
http://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/
http://www.romastreetparkland.qld.gov.au/
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/nph-arch/O1999-Jan-8/http://brisbane-stories.powerup.com.au/lit_trail/lit_trail_core/lit_trail_frames.htm
http://www.queenslandhistory.org.au/

Toombul Bike Criterium

Toombul has a big bicycle criterium behind the shopping centre.

Getting There:
Take your bike on the train to Toombul

Don't Forget:
Helmet, water and sunscreen

Check Out:
The Historic Cemetery next to the Criterium

Warning:
If serious bike racers are using the track, please be careful!

Other Options:
If you follow the path past the Criterium, it joins the Kedron Brook "Jim Soorley" Bikeway which you can follow all the way to Nudgee.


More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/activeandhealthy/recreation/cycling/destinations/
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/heritage/index.cgi?place=600271&back=1

Shorncliffe

Shorncliffe Foreshore has just had renovations done. There's a great park near the Jetty and rock pools to play in along the shore.

Things to Do:
Look at the boats in the Marina, play in the park, look for sealife in the rockpools.

Getting There:
Take a Shorncliffe train from Northgate.

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and a Hat

Check Out:
The View from the top of the cliffs

Other Options: Keep walking along the foreshore to Sandgate where you can visit the lagoons.

More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/shorncliffe/history/

Sunday 16 March 2008

Pioneer Park Landsborough

This park is the best playground I've ever seen, we spent over 7 hours here and still had to drag the kids out!
An All Abilities playground with something for everyone.

Things to Do:
This playground has everything, you won't need to go anywhere else! BBQ,toilets, fully fenced,water bubbler, access for wheelchairs, shade sails, gazebos, seats, sand play,flying fox, swings and much more.

Getting There:
It's a 10 minute walk from Landsborough train station, we walked it with 9 kids and even the 2 and 4 year olds walked it easily. From the station turn left into Caloundra street and the park is on the right about 700 metres up the road.
There are only a few trains on weekends to Landsborough. 8.51am and 10.41am from Caboolture on Saturdays.

Getting Back:
Trains leave Landsborough at 3.28pm and 6.13pm on Saturdays.

Don't forget:
Sunscreen,hats, and Insect repellant.

Check Out:
The Mad Hatters Tea room on the way to the park.

Warning:
The traffic is very busy on both roads on either side of the park and on the weekend of the 15th March there was one pool gate missing on the Western side of the park. Hopefully it will be replaced quickly.

Other Options:
Head back to the station a little early and there is another park on the western side of the station with a train to climb on, this park is small but fun and is also fenced.

More Information:
http://www.disability.qld.gov.au/community/all-abilities-playground/pioneer-park.html

Sunday 9 March 2008

Caboolture

There are many things to see and do in Caboolture, some great parks and lots of wildlife to see.

Things to Do:
Apex Park on Morayfield Rd has great picnic areas,2 playgrounds and duckponds.
The Arboretum (Norfolk Esplanade) has more duckponds, lots of walking paths and you may even see Turtles.
Platypus Playground (Grant rd/Julie Drive) has lots of different playground equipment, however there are no public toilets nearby.
Caboolture Historical Village (Beerburrum Rd) admission $10 adults Children 5+ $2

Getting There:
Catch a train to Caboolture

Don't Forget:
Hats,sunscreen

Cafes:
Cafe De Cruiz in King st is a great cafe owned by a local woman. (It's not open Sundays)

Check Out:
The Historic Railway Pumping Station Boiler (Wallace st)

Other Options:
Buses go from Caboolture Train Station to Bribie Island
On Show Day in August the Caboolture Shire Council hold a free family funday
In May The Caboolture UrbanCountry festival is on with lots of free events (free buses from the train station)
Farmfantastic in July is another event with lots to see ( free buses from the Train Station)
In March there is a Multicultural festival in the Town Square
In July the Medieval Festival is on at The Abbey Museum at St Michaels Church (free buses from the train station)

More Information:
http://www.historicalvillage.com.au/village.html
http://www.farmfantastic.com/
http://www.caboolture.qld.gov.au/attractions.aspx?display=locality&show=Caboolture
http://www.urbancountry.com.au/
http://www.abbeytournament.com/



Rosewood

Rosewood has a great kids park!
It's near the corner of the Rosewood-Laidley rd and John Street.

Things to do:
The Rosewood Rail Museum is only open Sundays
http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/
http://qldrailheritage.com/sq/rrm.htm

Getting There:
Catch a Rosewood train from Ipswich

Don't Forget:
Hat and Sunscreen

Check Out:
The Alpaca Farm you can see from Karrabin train station

More Information:
http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Rosewood_%5C_QLD

Kidspace at Chermside

One of the best playgrounds we have ever been to.

Things to do:
Bring your bikes, scooters,roller blades, plenty of paths nearby.
Bring a picnic

Getting There:
We walk from Geebung or Virginia train stations but you could catch a bus
Use Translinks journey planner to find the bus route which suits you
http://www.transinfo.com.au/

Don't Forget :
Hat,sunscreen, water. Chermside shopping centre is nearby for shopping or food.

Check Out:
The Mountains to Mangroves corridor info signs http://www.mountainstomangroves.org/

Other Options:
Chermside Splash Park is just up the road! http://www.splash.com.au/

More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/chermside/png/
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/kidspace/index.cfm

Always a Necessity for Families!

National Public Toilet Map

Riverwalk

The Riverwalk along the Brisbane River from Eagle st to New Farm park is a great walk or bike ride.

Things to Do:
Look for fish in the river, watch the citycats and ferries go past
Great playground and trees to climb in at New Farm Park
Farmers markets at Powerhouse 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month
Powerhouse has activities during the school holidays

Getting There:
Catch a Citycat to Eagle St or Riverside or walk from Central Train station

Don't Forget:
Water, sunscreen and a hat

Check Out:
The airraid shelters from WW2 and the lizards you may see basking in the sun on the old wharves.

Other Options:
Start from New Farm Park instead.
Walk over The Storey Bridge and continue your walk along the cliffs

More Info:
http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:STANDARD::pc=PC_1217
http://www.ozatwar.com/bunkers/howardsmithwharves.htm

Saturday 8 March 2008

Enchanted Forest Dorrington

This park was a wonderful accidental find. Lots of play equipment and fenced so very safe for little ones.
Fraser's Rd Ashgrove/Dorrington

Things to Do:
Bring a picnic, ride your bikes

Getting There:
Catch a 350 Express from outside the Roma st Police headquarters (stop 130) and get off at Fraser's Bridge.

Don't forget:
Hat,sunscreen, food and drink (There are no shops near the park)

Check Out:
The path way goes on as far as The Gap if you want to keep riding!

Other Options:
Ashgrove Park, (if you head back towards the city along the bikeway you'll find the park) Lots of room to run around and bushwalk trails.

More Information: http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/ashgrove/png/

Redcliffe Lagoon to Clontarf

This was a very long walk but it was a spur of the moment thing and we weren't really prepared for such a long walk. From the Redcliffe Lagoon you can walk along the foreshore all the way around to Clontarf (and on to Sandgate to finish if you are up for it!)

Things to Do:
Swim at the lagoon, fish from the jetty, swim at Sutton's beach, get fish and chips from the takeaway shop at Woody Point.
There's a great playground at Woody Point.

Getting there:
Catch a bus from the city, or from Petrie, Caboolture or Morayfield Train stations.

Don't forget:
Hat,sunscreen,water

Check Out :
The wreck of The Gayundah on the point.
Redcliffe Maritime Museum

Other Options:
Keep walking across the Hornibrook Bridge.

More Information: http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/redcliffe_museum_web/02_for_schools/The%20Gayundah%20fact%20sheet.pdf
http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/tourism/parks.html
http://www.redcliffe.qld.gov.au/redcliffe_museum_web/museum.htm

Boondall Wetlands

Boondall wetlands has great bikepaths, an environmental centre,boardwalks, birdhides and an Aboriginal art trail.

Things to Do:
Ride your bike or walk the pathways, some pathways are walking only, there are bikeracks in the picnic area to chain your bike to.

Getting there:
Catch a train to Boondall station and follow the pathway through the Entertainment centre and under the highway.

Don't forget :
Sunscreen,Insect Repellant, water and a hat

Other Options:
You could ride on from Boondall wetlands to the Kedron Brook bikeway, but be prepared for a long ride. Or you could ride back the other way to Shorncliffe instead.

More Information: http://www.ourbrisbane.com/visitors/seeanddo/river/boondall_sandgate.htm
http://www.mountainstomangroves.org/01_cms/details.asp?ID=126

Helpful Books

Some books which are great for helping plan a family day out in Brisbane-

Most of these are out of print so you may need to keep an eye out in second hand stores for them.

Family Walks in Brisbane by Julia Thorn
Free and Low Cost Brisbane and the Coasts by Lee Mylne
Places for Little Faces Brisbane Susan Henderson and Gina Smareglia
Brisbanes Best Bush Bay and City Walks Dianne McLay


Also check out your local information centre or the Brisbane CBD Info centre in the Queen St Mall.

Brisbane Bikeways

You can take your Bicycle on the train outside of peak hours for no extra cost.
Brisbane has many great Bikeways

Don't Forget :
Helmet, sunscreen, water

Hiring Bikes :
You can hire a bike from Brisbane Botanical Gardens Valet Cycles

More Information:
http://www.bikely.com/
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:STANDARD::pc=PC_1219
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/activeandhealthy/recreation/cycling/
http://www.discoverbrisbane.com/brisbane/bikeways.html
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_934

Playground Finder

A site to share your favourite parks with other families

Playgroundfinder

Island Hopping

Russell/Lamb/Macleay/Karragarra Islands, in Southern Moreton Bay are well worth a visit, see what Island life is like.

Things to Do-
All 4 Islands have swimming enclosures on the beach and picnic areas. Karragarra has a playground.

Getting There:
Route 250 Buses from Brisbane City. Bay Islands Transit System Ferries leave from Weinam Creek Ferry Terminal Banana St Redland Bay.
Ferries depart approx every 30 minutes, one service running clockwise the other anticlockwise.
Currently an Island Hopper ticket
which entitles you to a return trip to the Islands and 3 inter-island trips costs $14.50 for an adult and $7.50 for a child.

Getting Back:
Ferries run until 9pm (check timetable)

Don't forget:
Pick up a timetable on the ferry, sunscreen,hats,water,insect repellant.

Check Out:
The old Saltmines on Macleay Island, walk along the foreshore, but watch out for the tide!

Warning :
Be Careful of tides and don't forget the insect repellant.
Karragarra Island has no shops, so make sure you buy water etc from one of the other islands.

Other Options:
Lamb Island has a Bed and Breakfast B&B

More Information:
Russell Island
Lamb Island

Gold Coast Oceanway

Walk along the Gold Coast, visit some of Qld's best beaches, playgrounds and you could even walk to Seaworld like we did.
Things to do- Along the walk you can see into the Sheraton Mirage Resort, there's a monument
in cable park which recognizes the incredible achievement of laying the telegraph cable that first connected Australia to North America in the 1920s, also visit Macintosh island playground and see Bigfoot sleeping in his cave! Of course you can take your swimmers and try out the beaches!

Getting There:
Train to Robina and then a 750 Seaworld bus and get off where ever you would like to start your walk.

Don't Forget:
Hat,sunscreen and water!

Check Out
- Bigfoot at Macintosh Island
- The Suspension Bridge (sadly it was closed when we were there)
- The Mirage Resort
- The Great Playground near the historic Southport SLSC

Other Options
Visit Seaworld or the Q1 Observation deck or Marina Mirage Shopping Centre.
There are some great parks around the GC http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?pid=5930

More Information:
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?pid=5622
http://www.federationwalk.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q1_(building)







Southbank

Southbank is always a great family day out, there's always something on, something new to see, even just sitting along the riverbank watching the boats go by is a great way to spend a few hours.

Things to do there:
Swim at the man made beach
The Science centre (entry fee)
Museum (gold coin donation)
Art Gallery (Gold coin donation)
Gallery of Modern Art
State Library (Has an excellent children's section and also an Official Bookcrossing Zone)
Playgrounds
At the Northern end past GOMA there is a lovely new picnic area.

Getting there:
Catch a City Cat across from North Quay
Catch a train to South Brisbane or Southbank stations
walk- over the Goodwill pedestrian bridge or Victoria Bridge
Catch a bus to the Cultural Centre stop

Don't Forget :
Hat, sunscreen and water. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. If you plan to go to the Mangroves in the Botanic Gardens you might need some insect repellant.

Check out:
-the Nepalese Pagoda a reminder of Expo 88
- The original Victoria Bridge pylons
- The Markets

Other Options:
- Walk along to the Maritime Museum (entry fee)
- Kangaroo Point cliffs walk (a great walk along the river under the cliffs where you can see people abseiling,a lookout, lots of places to stop for a rest, there's also RiverLife http://www.ourbrisbane.com/visitors/seeanddo/river/riverlife.htm where you can hire Rollerblades or Kayaks for a faster journey!)
- Walk over the Goodwill bridge and along to the City Botanic gardens, another nice walk along the riverbank. (visit the Kangaroo statue near the cafe) Walk through the Mangrove Boardwalk
- Walk past the picnic area at the far Northern end of Southbank and you can keep walking all the way to the West End Ferry stop, past the rowing clubs and a historic gas tower.

More Information-
http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s1767541.htm
http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/home
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/sciencentre/
http://www.qag.qld.gov.au/
http://www.qpac.com.au/home/

Other Things to do while out walking!

Bookcrossing http://www.bookcrossing.com
Releasing books "into the wild" for other people to find, a community of like-minded people sharing their love of reading.

Geocaching http://geocaching.com.au/ and http://www.geocaching.com/
A Modern day high-tech treasure hunt

Markeroni http://www.markeroni.com/
Log Historical markers and Landmarks

Letterboxing http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/boxdirectory3.html?gStateId=1390
Similar to Geocaching but for "rubberstampers"

Mt Cootha Lookout and Bushwalk

Mt Cootha is a great place for a family day out, there is a cafe and a restaurant at the lookout. Both are quite expensive but very nice, clean and the view from the Restaurant is worth the cost!
There are some information boards and toilets.
Down the trails there are BBQ areas and more toilets.

Getting there:
Bus 471 from Stop 7 in Ann st Brisbane, runs regularly on weekdays , there are only 4 services on Saturdays and Sundays.


Getting Back:
Same bus back or you could walk like we do! We have walked back to the ferry terminal at Regatta and another time we walked back to Roma St. Walking back down means you aren't stuck to the bus times and you can take a detour via the Cemetary and have a wander through the historic graves.

Don't Forget:
Hats,sunscreen and plenty of water if you take the bushwalk option.
It's not likely that you would get lost but best to print a map http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/media/parks_and_forests/parks/bfp_mtcootha.pdf just in case.


Warning:
The Powerful owl trail is VERY steep and not recommended for small children or unfit people. Some trails get muddy or covered with water in wet season.

Other Options:
There is also the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens to visit on the way down

More Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Coot-tha,_Queensland