OT /Train from Brisbane to Surfer's Paradise

[LadeeBug100]

We will be traveling to Australia in Dec. Our plans are to take the train from Brisbane to Surfer's Paradise. Are there accommodations for luggage?

I know we will also have to board a bus to finish the route to Surfer's , what about luggage storage on the bus?

Any suggestions for dining in Brisbane or Sydney? We prefer a casual restaurant where locals would eat. Thanks!!

[Aussie visiting Alaska]

Hi LadeeBug, I just posted my own query about travelling in Alaska and thought I'd look and see what questions people were asking about Australia. If it's not too late (I see you are travelling in December), I think you'll find it more convenient to catch a bus to Surfers - forget the train. There is one that goes directly from the airport, and one from the city - Greyhound I think. For eating out - wander over to Southbank Parklands just across the river from the CBD. Lots of little restaurants - nice food and views at the River Canteen (it's a lot more 'upmarket' than the name suggests). Hope you enjoy Brisbane!

[CassCruise]

Not sure where you will be coming from but this link might help

http://www.bne.com.au/content/standard.asp?name=PublicTransport#50

 

I know my girlfriend in the past has used coachtrans when she flies in to visit her mum on the Gold Coast and has been pleased with their service! Hope this helps..

[OzCruise]

Hi

 

I live in Brisbane - give the train a miss. Depending on the time you're booked, it can get very crowded and not a lot of storage for luggage. Bus much better.

[DonahCBrown]

Hi

 

I live in Brisbane - give the train a miss. Depending on the time you're booked, it can get very crowded and not a lot of storage for luggage. Bus much better.

 

We'll be in Brisbane from 8 AM to 6 PM on the 28th, and have looked at a couple of private tours - one to Stadbroke and the other an "eco-tour" that would include the koala sanctuary and other wildlife. I also checked Frommer's and it looks like Brisbane is fairly easy to negotiate on our own. Frommer's mentioned the hop-on, hop-off bus tour as being good, and that it gave you access to some of the river boat tours as well.

 

As a resident, what would you suggest?

 

Thanks!

 

Donna

[OzCruise]

Hi Donna

 

So sorry - looks like I missed you!:o

 

If anyone else wants some info on what to do in Brisbane, happy to oblige.

[DonahCBrown]

Hi Donna

 

So sorry - looks like I missed you!:o

 

If anyone else wants some info on what to do in Brisbane, happy to oblige.

 

I'm still around. We don't get there until April! Would love to hear your take on what do to in Brisbane.

 

We've looked at a couple of local tour companies - one to Stadbroke Island, and one that does wildlife/eco tours, and I researched Fodor's online. Looked like it was pretty easy to do an "on your own" if you can get into town from the ship, but I'm not clear on where we will dock and what transport is available from the docks to town.

 

At this point, I'm thinking of the "hop on, hop off" bus which also, according to Fodors, allows for a river ferry ride, and maybe the Koala sanctuary.

[OzCruise]

You're right, Donna - IMHO you're best to do your own thing in Brisbane for a day. You'll dock in the commercial dock area (no cruise facilities), and transport to Brisbane city by taxi is probably the best option ($AUS 30.00 approx), unless your cruise line has put on transport:) .

 

Once in 'the city' (Brisbane CBD), things get easier. Lone Pine Sanctuary (koalas, sheep dog shows etc) is well worth a look - can get a City ferry there. About $AUS 18.00, and could spend a few hours. The CBD itself is pretty good - lots of coffee shops, some nice old buildings still remaining, Botanical Gardens, Queen St Mall, very relaxed friendly place (have a look inside Treasury Casino, but keep away from the slots!). Southbank (opposite side of river to CBD - 20min comfortable walk) - State art gallery, museum, restaurants, artificial beach, walks etc. Also have a look in the City Hall - have a very good, small 'Brisbane Museum'. City Sights bus (hop on, hop off) is very good value - also the 'Loop' bus (red buses) have well advertised routes around the City centre. Have a look at http://www.translink.com.au for how our rather lack-lustre public transport system works!:o

 

Dress comfortably - probably be quite warm (around 20-25' C), and anything goes even in the CBD (you'll see men in suits, women in shorts/t-shirts and everything in between..)

 

Finally, have a look at http://www.southernqueensland.com.au for more ideas on what to see and do...

 

Have a good time:D - let me know if there is anything else I can help with...

[DonahCBrown]

I'm printing this out and we'll take with us. I was wondering about the Lone Pine Sanctuary. So many times those kinds of attractions are overhyped, but now we'll give it a look.

 

Let me know if you are ever coming over our way and I'll reciprocate with a guide for the Big Island!

 

Mahalo nui loa!

[CassCruise]

I think they run shuttle buses from the ship to Roma St (our central - well that's what it is considered but it is really on the CBD's fringe - tpt depot) Another nice place close to the city to visit is Mt Cootha - gives a great overview of the city - a place we always take visitors - but if you are doing it yourself and need any resources head straight to to Queen St Mall they have a great information centre in the middle.... if you did want to do a tour to see native animals etc (but unfortunately it would be an all dayer) would be Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo - I know what you mean about some of those attractions but IMHO he really does it well ... because of time constraints any eco tour I think you would find again would take all day - really it comes down to pottering in the city and fringes or taking a tour and getting out and about to see some of the areas surrounding Brisbane - which in itself is very diverse!

[DonahCBrown]

I think they run shuttle buses from the ship to Roma St (our central - well that's what it is considered but it is really on the CBD's fringe - tpt depot) Another nice place close to the city to visit is Mt Cootha - gives a great overview of the city - a place we always take visitors - but if you are doing it yourself and need any resources head straight to to Queen St Mall they have a great information centre in the middle.... if you did want to do a tour to see native animals etc (but unfortunately it would be an all dayer) would be Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo - I know what you mean about some of those attractions but IMHO he really does it well ... because of time constraints any eco tour I think you would find again would take all day - really it comes down to pottering in the city and fringes or taking a tour and getting out and about to see some of the areas surrounding Brisbane - which in itself is very diverse!

 

Thanks! More for our list. The Eco tours and island tours ARE all day ones - in fact the scheduled ones don't get back until after time for the ship to leave, so we were looking at custom tours, but I think we'll just knock around on our own. Sounds pretty easy to do and there's lots to see, sounds like.