Monday morning I started my City tour by walking across the river to the South Bank. It’s basically just a small park, and nowadays the main outdoor attraction might be the large public city beach. Afterwards I headed to the West End suburb, which has quite a different atmosphere. Most shops were closed, as it was public holiday, due to the Australia day the day before. Once I found a coffee shop, as even the ones which were open closed at noon, they charged me a 15% surcharge because of Australia Day public holiday 🤨. Seriously, you’re charging me extra, because I cause you to work…and make revenue for your business! Then I crossed the Brisbane river again and went over to the Old Government House, which was probably the first stone house built in Brisbane in the 1860’s. It’s a nice representative house, and a cool place to stay in for a while. Afterwards I headed north to King George square, passed all the open shops at public holiday…would be interesting to know, if they also charge a surcharge at a public holiday, and the town hall. Then I walked along Ann Street to the east, passed the interesting sculpture of “The Guardian” until I arrived at Saint Johns Cathedral, before I walked to the Eagle Street Pier. From here I could catch a free CityHopper ferry to New Farm park. On the way we passed the large Story bridge. In New Farm park has some rose gardens, but somehow not as large or impressive as I expected. Nevertheless, it’s a nice place to relax, if not constantly attacked by mosquitoes. I took then the ferry to Teneriffe and buy some groceries in the only shop, which was still open after 18 o’clock due to…again…public holidays. Typically it’s not an issue to buy some groceries late in the evening at each day in Australia, especially not in a state capital, but this was different. But in the end I got a transfer ticket, as I tapped in again to the ferry in less than 60 minutes, and had a night cruise of almost one hour along the Brisbane river back to the CBD.
