Stephens Family Vacation - Australia 2025: 2025-05-02: Train to Brisbane
| Travel | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Service Provider | Origin | Destination | Cost | Notes | ||
| Train | Commuter Train to Accommodation | $0.00 | Rhonda: I remember looking into how to get from the train station in Brisbane to our hotel but I don't have it in my notes. Can you fresh my remembry? Brent: I think the plan was to take the local commuter rail, leaving from the station that we arrive at on Roma St. and heading out to Clayfield Station then walking the last little bit. | |||||
| Train | Train to Brisbane | Tilt Train | Hervey Bay | Brisbaine | $0.00 | On May 2 we catch the bus back to Maryborough in time for the 10:59 Tilt Train to Brisbane Arriving at 14:50 Roma St + Clayfield +61 7 3862 2966 | ||
| Accommodation | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Service Provider | Location | Cost | Notes | ||
| Motel | Airport Clayfield Motel | Booking.com | Brisbane | $1,025.05 | 772 Sandgate Rd, Clayfield, Clayfield, 4011 Brisbane, Australia +61 7 3862 2966 Expected check-in: 4-5PM Airport shuttle starts at 6:15 Near Clayfield metro station BRDB metro line goes direct from Roma Station to Clayfield. It runs every 30 minutes and takes about 30 minutes. Free cancelation until May 1 AIRPORT DROP OFF SERVICE (Mon- Fri) Bookings for the shuttle must be MADE ON THE DAY OF YOUR ARRIVAL (not weeks or months in advance) and by close of reception at 7:00pm, for the shuttle the following morning. If you are arriving after 7pm, please email or phone with the requested time for your shuttle booking on the day of your arrival. The Motel offers a free of charge shuttle service Monday to Friday between 6:15am and 8:45am (excluding public holidays). From March 2025, the shuttle service will not operate on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Please note that our airport shuttle holds a maximum of 9 passengers plus the driver and due to safety concerns, we cannot take surf boards and ski bags on the shuttle. We are less than 10 minutes from the airport. | ||
| Tip | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Name | Description | Service Provider | Cost | Notes | ||
| General Info | Advice from WikiVoyage | Brisbane is the state capital of Queensland. Large enough to be cosmopolitan yet small enough to be friendly and accessible | $0.00 | The Greater Brisbane region has a population of about 2.2 million people and is Australia's third-largest city. Brisbane, colloquially known as Brissie (pronounced Briz-ee), gained international exposure through multiple international sporting events and political summits, including the upcoming 2032 Summer Olympics. For many thousands of years prior to British settlement, the Brisbane area was inhabited by the Turrbal and Jagera Aboriginal people. They knew the area that is now the central business district as Mian-jin, meaning \"place shaped as a spike\". The Australian English phrase \"hard yakka\" – meaning \"hard work\" – comes from the Jagera people, and is certainly what the British settlers faced in Brisbane's humid subtropical climate. Getting around the city and South Bank is easy thanks to the many cycle paths along the river. Cycling on footpaths is legal in the Brisbane City Council area (maximum speed 10 km/h), however pedestrians have right of way. Keep left and take special care when riding through South Bank Parklands as the shared (and quite wide) foot and cycle path is often clogged with large groups taking up the whole path, pedestrians stopping unexpectedly for photos and playing children running heedlessly in front of you. It is often too noisy here to use your bell, so use your common sense, and dismount and push your bike through crowded pedestrian areas. Maps showing extensive dedicated bikeways and shared paths in the Brisbane City Council area are available on the BCC website and a journey planner is available here. These bikeways offer a pleasant way to explore and enjoy Brisbane. Some areas of Brisbane are very hilly. If your street map shows a tangle of winding streets close together that is a sign of steep roads. A short trip can quickly become a lot of work; stick to the river when possible, it's where you get the best views and it is almost entirely flat. If you leave the cycle paths, footpaths, and minor streets you should be prepared to contend with busy urban traffic. Feel free to ignore any Brisbane motorists that may have resentment toward cyclists and ignorance of the road rules applying to cyclists; cyclists are permitted to travel on just about all roads in Brisbane. Special \"bicycle lanes\" on Brisbane's roads are becoming increasingly common and are often denoted by a narrow green-coloured strip of road adjacent to the curb. Brisbane is an excellent city for walking and you should have no problems getting around the CBD. Within minutes of walking in virtually any direction you will be able to find a bus, train or ferry station. Maps can be purchased from bookstores, any tourist information centre or viewed online. There are also a number of shared pathways that offer relaxed walking routes away from roads and traffic. Beyond the CBD and inner-suburbs however, sights can become very spread out, so you might want to consider other modes of getting around. Areas near the river are relatively flat and are perfect for walking. If you find yourself lost, it's advisable to head to the nearest main road as more than likely it will be serviced by buses or trains. Buildings and landmarks: - Brisbane City Hall and King George Square, between Adelaide and Ann Streets. The City Hall is Brisbane's most significant historical landmark and was restored in 2010–2013. The area has free public Wi-Fi. Brisbane City Hall (Q4968552) on Wikidata Brisbane City Hall on Wikipedia - Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower, Museum of Brisbane. A 92-metre clock tower with Australia's largest analogue clock face. Opened in 1930, it offers a tour through Brisbane's oldest operating cage lifts. - The University of Queensland, St Lucia, ? +61 7 3365 1111. One of Australia's oldest and most prestigious institutions, situated on a bend of the Brisbane River. Its majestic sandstone buildings are surrounded by ornamental lakes, jacaranda-lined boulevards and some of the finest architecture. Visitor attractions include the Great Court, the UQ Art Museum at the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre, the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, and wildlife in the UQ lakes. It can be reached by CityCat, or bus route 66 from the CBD along Busway. University of Queensland (Q866012) on Wikidata University_of_Queensland on Wikipedia - Wheel of Brisbane, Russell St, South Bank. Daily 10AM-10PM. A Ferris wheel that allows you to observe the city from 60 m with views across the Brisbane River. The trip is a 15-minute ride in an enclosed, climate-controlled gondola. Adult $22, student $18, child 4 to 11 years $14.50. - Cathedral of St. Stephen, 249 Elizabeth St. Daily 8AM-6PM. Heritage-registered Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Brisbane with regular services and guided tours on weekday mornings. Nearby is St. Stephen's Chapel, which was built in the 19th century and lays significance as being the oldest surviving church building in Queensland. Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane (Q607293) on Wikidata Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane on Wikipedia - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Glenelg St (South Bank), ? +61 7 3308 3000. Named as the world's best convention centre, this purpose-built convention centre and event venue plays its host to an average of 1,300 yearly events and contains four exhibition halls. Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (Q4968560) on Wikidata Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Wikipedia - State Law Building, 50 Ann Street. The office and headquarters of the Attorney-General of Queensland. The structure of the skyscraper, an iconic landmark since 1995, is dubbed the Batman Building, modelled after the Gotham City skyline in the Batman comic book series. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket (via the Western Freeway), ? +61 7 3378-1366, service@koala.net. 9AM-5PM. Reduced hours April 25. World's first and largest koala sanctuary, with over 130 koalas. Cuddle a koala, hand feed kangaroos and see other Aussie wildlife. Admission $32 adults, $21 children 3-13 yr, with discounts for families and students. Alternate transport options include: Catch the hourly 445 or 430 buses from the city or the Mirimar boat cruise from South Bank at 10:20AM. Adults $36, child $22, concession $24. Family rates available. Discounts if purchased online in advance. Mount Coot-tha, Sir Samuel Griffiths Drive. Brisbane's tallest mountain. A popular make-out spot with a great view and good but overpriced cafe and restaurant. Large TV and radio antennas line some of its broad peak. You can take a scenic drive through the heavily forested Mount Coot-tha Reserve to the peak to see the almost-360° views of Brisbane and the surrounding region. The mountain is 287 m (941 ft) above sea level and forms the eastern extent of the Taylor Range. It is the most northern part of Australia to record snow. New Farm Park. This historic park is famous for the long line of jacaranda trees, shady picnic areas and its large rose gardens that contain hundreds of varieties of roses, and over 40,000 plants. Rainforest Walk. Ecological park of South Bank. Set along the banks of the Brisbane River, it's a cool spot to stroll along the boardwalk with plenty of shady subtropical trees. There are also small benches to soak in the tranquility Manly Boat Harbour. This is the nearest access point to Moreton Bay Marine Park with its pristine waterways and fascinating islands. Next to the harbour is Manly Harbour Village, with a great range of dining and shopping options overlooking the marina Fort Lytton National Park, Lytton Road, Lytton. Preserves a historic fort built in the late 19th century which operated until just after the Second World War which was an important site for Brisbane's defence, and a historic quarantine station used to quarantine visitors coming from ships who had some sort of disease. Kangaroo Point. The walls along the Brisbane River are a popular spot for rock climbing and give an excellent view of the CBD skyline just across the river. Activities carry on after dark, when the walls are well-lit. Abseiling and rock climbing classes on the cliffs with an instructor are available from Riverlife Adventures, as well as kayak, kick-bike, rollerblade and bicycle hire. There are also barbecue and picnic spots in the area. Story Bridge Adventure Climb, toll-free: 1300 254 627, climbs@sbac.net.au. Scale the top of Brisbane's iconic bridge. You can enjoy 360° views of Brisbane, the mountain ranges and Moreton Bay Islands at dawn, afternoon or night Brisbane has a relatively low crime rate in comparison to other cities of such size. In most cases being aware of your environment and using common sense will keep you safe. Like Sydney and other large cities, trains and train stations are usually considered a common crime zone throughout the afternoons and nights, however trains and stations are patrolled by Police, Transit Officers, railway personnel and private security guards. Cameras are also used to increase security. It is advised to exercise caution when travelling on trains and buses during these periods of the day. Here are some particular areas of note: - Outer Suburbs: Tend to have a higher crime rate than inner suburbs which should be taken into account when visiting these areas. - City Central/CBD: Usually very safe at all hours. - Fortitude Valley: Police presence very strong here due to the concentration of bars. - Suburban pubs: generally less safe than inner-city pubs, bars and clubs due to less police and security. Drunks can be a hassle when in the vicinity of suburban pubs, especially around closing times. Fights in these venues are common. Probably the worst thing that can befall your trip to Brisbane is sunburn and other heat-related issues. The local UV Index is almost always in the extreme rating during the day (10AM-3PM) and precautions should always be taken. Do not be fooled though, even in the cooler months or when it is overcast you can still be affected by UV rays or the heat. Sunscreen, shirts, sunglasses and lots of water are essential. The damaging effects of the Queensland sun should not be underestimated. The state has the highest per-capita rate of skin cancer in the world and tourists often come unprepared. On a sunny day in Brisbane, it is common to be sunburnt after as few as 15 minutes under the midday sun, but sunburn can also occur on overcast days. This is not exclusive to summer, but can happen all year round, even in winter. | |||
| To Do | Things to do in Brisbane | $0.00 | |||||
| Travel Resource | Public Transport in Brisbane | Translink is responsible for all trains, buses, ferries and trams in South East Queensland and regional urban buses. | $0.00 | A 50-cent flat fare applies to any journey, regardless of mode, distance or transfers. The only exception is an Airtrain journey to or from Brisbane Airport which costs $22.30. Refer to the website for discounted fares. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience. A contactless credit or debit card, go card, or paper ticket is required to travel. A Visa, Mastercard or American Express is accepted, including those in a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your fare is deducted from your card as you touch on and touch off each mode of transport. Trains and trams have fare gates or distinctive pink validators to touch before you board and after you alight. Buses and ferries have validators to touch as you board and alight. A failure to touch off each mode of transport will result in a fixed fare of $2.50 being charged. You can be fined $261 for travelling without a valid fare. A go card is available at train station ticket counters, busway and tram fare machines, and selected newsagents and convenience stores. The card requires a $10 deposit. The card can be topped up with travel credit at the same locations, including train station fare machines. The maximum travel credit you can top up is $250. Refunding the deposit and travel credit can be a hassle. If you last topped up using cash it can be processed at Brisbane Airport and selected newsagents and convenience stores. If you last topped up using credit or debit card it can only be processed via an Australian bank account transfer. A paper ticket is available at train station ticket counters and fare machines, and busway and tram fare machines. | |||
| Blog Entries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pialba has two whale statues near where we stayed - the front and the rear. We enjoyed a short walk this morning before leaving to catch the train to Brisbane. Caboolture from the Train: A cool geological bump we saw from the train
| ||
