The areas either side of the highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast are booming, with new developments and parks and walkways popping up everywhere. This week we decided to explore Gainsborough near Pimpama. We began at Gainsborough Parklands, walked around the large sporting field of Pimpama City Football Club and then through Gainsborough Environmental Reserve. The reserve contains more than seven hectares of regenerating natural vegetation along with a constructed wetland system. There is a well connected system of paths and we easily clocked 7 kilometres before the heat set in. Then it was off to One Little Tree Cafe before heading home.
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We decided on a short walk before Easter as it was raining and we believed an Easter celebration would be in order. We walked along Norman Creek, starting at Hanlon Park, a large, open green space in the heart of Stones Corner. It has been revitalised by removing the concrete drain and returning Norman Creek to a natural waterway through the park. The long, meandering waterway is bordered by large planted garden beds and surrounded by layered, grassy flats. Small bridges cross over the creek at two points and large floral artwork pieces can be found hidden within the natural planted gardens. With the recent heavy rains, nature took over and Norman Creek flooded the bridges and gardens. We did manage to find some paths above the waterline. After our walk we had an Easter feast and celebrated yet another March birthday.
An early morning start through the bush at Mt Gravatt provided plenty of shade. We wound our way though Mt Gravatt Cemetery and its many interesting grave before heading back to a birthday celebration for two of our group. Mt Gravatt Cemetery and some of the interesting graves . . .
As the heat wave continues we did another early morning walk, this time across the Hinze Dam wall and surrounds. The dam is full and overflowing, and everything is very green. The most fun part of the day was our visit to the House Down Under at Pacific Fair. It provided plenty of great photo ops, though sometimes it felt a little disconcerting walking on the ceiling.
The Breakfast Creek / Yowoggera Bridge and Lores Bonney Riverwalk extension is now open, providing an active transport link between the inner city and northern suburbs. We always enjoy a river walk, so this week we decided to test out this new bridge. We made an early start to beat the heat, meeting at Apollo Road and taking a ferry across to Bretts Wharf. The ferry staff are always incredibly polite, helpful and entertaining, and today was no exception. They are such great ambassadors for our city. We had forgotten it was Valentine's Day, but they hadn't and a picture was organised in its honour. The walk was cool at this early hour and we enjoyed the river views and art work along the track. When we arrived at Newfarm Park a lovely surprise awaited us. Leanne, who was unable to do the walk due to an injury, greeted us with a delicious brunch of French toast, bacon crème fraîche and fresh berries. Life doesn't get much better than this. We decided we needed to walk further along the river after that big meal, but the weather was heating up and after a couple more kilometres we caught a ferry back to Apollo Road.
Moreton Bay extends some 125 kilometres from Caloundra in the north almost to Surfers Paradise in the south. It contains around 360 islands in total. This includes the populated Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra Islands collectively known as the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. We took a series of ferry rides this week to explore this part of the bay. Our first stop was Russell Island where we began with coffee, cake and bubbles to celebrate another birthday. Then we explored on foot. Russell Island is the largest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands with a length of 8 kilometres, a width of nearly 3 kilometres, and a population of close to 4,000. A late afternoon walk after a hot day was a good way to beat the heat. Ocean breezes helped as we walked to the end of the seaway wall, and then along the beach towards Main Beach. We were treated to the sight of a beautiful full moon rising and a dazzling sunset. As night fell we went in search of a public barbecue to cook lamb kebabs and enjoy a late Australia Day meal.
It is hard to believe that we still find new surprises around this beautiful city. Today the suburb of Springhill sprung some surprises on us. The summer heat is still upon us so we met early at Roma Street and enjoyed a walk through the parkland in the cool of the morning. As always, the gardens were in pristine appearance. We decided to try out some new poses . . . After all this walking it was time for a hearty breakfast at The Treasury Kitchen and the special of the month did not disappoint. The eggs Benedict were delicious. Afterwards some of us viewed the "Into the Woods" fairytale themed art display at G.O.M.A. before heading home. The exhibition brings together contemporary art, breathtaking costumes, immersive installations and stunning cinema from visual storytellers around the world to untangle themes of bravery and justice, loyalty and humility, cunning and aspiration. This was a varied and very pleasant morning easily notching up 10 kilometres.
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