Tag Archives: Brisbane
Gum tree at the back of our house on neighbour’s land
Gum trees are renowned for their shallow root bases and for falling over in strong wind. This gum tree is on neighbour’s land, but would crush our bedroom if it fell down. With mini tornadoes predicted on the nights of 26 and 27 January in Brisbane, we decided to vacate our bed and roll out our swags in the living room. The gum tree shed small branches during the wind, but fortunately stayed upright.
Keeping a close watch on the Brisbane River this afternoon at Yeronga
Brisbane River at Yeronga at 5:56pm on 27 January 2012
Ken Fletcher Park — Brisbane’s newest park
Ken Fletcher Park is Brisbane’s newest park. It is located in Tennyson, next to the Queensland Tennis Centre. These photos were taken early in the morning when there were no kids around. Later in the day, the park is very popular and I imagine will become a favourite place for parents to hold children’s birthday parties.
Ken Fletcher Park
Plenty of grassed area for kids to run around
Sand play equipment
Swings
Fort
Climbing gear
There are several of these mock safety signs — not sure mixing safety messages and playground equipment is a good idea
Climbing gear
Climbing gear
Bulldozer
See saw
Bathrooms
Remnants of the former Tennyson Power Station
Remnants of the former Tennyson Power Station
Remnants of the former Tennyson Power Station
Picnic tables beside the river
River access via a floating jetty
This appears to be a small amphitheatre
This is the old sales office for the adjacent property development — not sure what it is being used for now
Car parking is adequate, but on a busy day will be crowded
Nearby cafe for parents to get a coffee
Queensland Tennis Centre Pat Rafter Arena is adjacent the park
My photographic assistants — Hungarian Vizslas Roger and Candy
Brisbane to Melbourne — via the Kidman Way
According the Whereis, the preferred route from Brisbane to Melbourne is:
- via the Pacific Highway — 1788.0 km 19 hr, 2 min.
By way of comparison, travelling some alternative routes:
- via the Newell Highway — 1664.9 km, 20 hr 3 min
- via Bourke and the Kidman Way — 1900.7 km, 21 hr, 52 min
They are interesting statistics. Travelling via the Newell Highway takes 61 minutes longer, but is 123.1 km shorter.
Travelling via Bourke and the Kidman Way feel like you are going to the end of the earth, particularly in the stretch between Cobar and Hillston where there is no fuel for 250+ km. However, it is only an extra 112 km over the Pacific Highway route and takes and extra 2 hr 50 min!
I am not sure how Whereis works out its time figures, because I think I was definitely averaging higher average speeds on the Western routes because there were fewer towns with slow speed limits and the posted speed was generally higher.
Anyway, if you are travelling between Brisbane and Melbourne, and can spare an extra 3 hours, it is definitely worth seeing the most western sealed north-south road in New South Wales. Plan your stops, carry extra water, and be aware that mobile phone coverage is VERY limited out there (I hired a satellite phone).