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Cedar Creek Lodges at Thunderbird Park

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Hidden away in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland (about 50km south of Brisbane) are Cedar Creek Lodges at Thunderbird Park. Situated on the picturesque Tamborine Mountain, this 112 hectares of wilderness retreat (Thunderbird Park) is a geological rich oasis, boasting towering rainforests, beautiful clear rock pools and a host of activities for adults and children alike.

Whether you’re looking for a day trip to experience some of the best natural envorinments that Brisbane and the surrounding areas have to offer, or a longer stay, there are a number of accomodation options available including:

Cedar Lodges (and other specially designed rooms) for a luxury getaway - spacious 2 bedroom lodges spaced along the banks of Cedar Creek, with contemporary decor, cedar shutters, poslished timber floors, high ceilings and private balconies. In winter, the fireplace can be crackling away whilst you cosy up with your loved ones.
Creek Side Camping for the great outdoor experience - is a dog-friendly campsite with powered and unpowered sites available either creek-side or bush-side. There are natural rock fireplaces and wood, ice, gas and a public telephone are all available on-site.

For dining, the Rainforest Restaurant, Gallery, Bar is open for lunch 7 days a week and for dinner Friday and Saturday. The pavilion- style structure offers guests a uninterrupted view of the established gardens, flowering orchids and, at night, illuminated rainforest. Birdlife is prolific and diners can enjoy the passing parade of ducks, colourful king parrots, rosellas, lorikeets, bush turkeys and white cockatoos while enjoying the fresh, seasonal menu. Need a mid-morning snack? Then pop in for a wonderful devonshire tea with oven-fresh scones, home-made strawberry jam, and fresh cream.

If it’s a relax and unwind that youre after then Ripple Massage offers a wide range of massage styles, from the lush KaHuna massage to the deeply relaxing Hot Stone or Russian massages. There’s also a special pregnancy massage for expectant mothers and “Blokes” packages designed specifically for men. All can be enjoyed in the privacy of your own lodge.

Outdoor activities on offer at Cedar Creek Lodges are fossicking in the world’s largest thunderegg mine, ropes and adventure games course (the largest in Australia), horse riding, laser skirmish, mini golf, mountain bike trails, abseiling, swimming and bushwalking. Or change the pace and head indoors to the Gallery Games Room, which offers a pool table, juke box, darts, cards, chess and board games.

A Kids Club suitable for ages 6 to 12 operates during the school holidays and offers a great range of activities such as trust walks, obstacle courses, orienteering, treasure hunts, tie-dyeing, papier mâché and fabric painting.

Budding astronomers take note: according to Australian Stargazing author Gregg Thompson, Thunderbird Park is a stargazer’s paradise! Guests can observe satellites passing overhead, meteor showers, the planets, lunar features, constellations and, occasionally, eclipses and comets.

Cedar Creek Lodges is also a great place to hold your wedding, conference or school camp.

For more information, please visit www.cedarcreeklodges.com.au

Tags: abseil, Australia, bike, birds, Brisbane, bush, camping, cedar creek, children, couple, dog friendly, egg, family, fossick, gallery, games, geology, Gold Coast, golf, hinterland, holiday, horse, kids, massage, orienteering, Queensland, rainforest, restaurant, retreat, ropes, skirmish, tamborine mountain, thunder, vacation, wildlife
Posted in Brisbane - South, Gold Coast | No Comments »

The Great Outdoors in Brisbane

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

There are many forests and reserves scattered around Brisbane, offering a range of activities. From walking, mountain bike riding, birdwatching, fields and playgrounds for the children, education centres and some guided tours, this natural environment can be enjoyed by anyone and mostly certainly should be on your agenda if you’re holidaying in Brisbane. Most of these forests are within a 30 minute drive of the city centre and therefore make a great day trip, so Brisbane residents can enjoy the local flora and fauna on offer at any time also.

Here are some of the most popular reserves and forests around Brisbane:

Brisbane Forest Park at The Gap offers more than 30kms of walking tracks, 60 kms of tourist roads and 14 separate recereation areas, meaning you won’t always have to share your picnic spot with other people.

Banks Street Reserve on Banks Street, Alderley offers walking tracks, sports fields and playgrounds for the children.

Chermside Hills Reserve can be found at Raven Street and Rode Road, McDowall, and offers well marked trails for walking, the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, educational centre and barbeque areas so you can enjoy your lunch while you view some of the wonderful wildlife that inhabits this reserve. Environmental activities and events are often hosted by the Chermside Hills Reserve.

Toohey Forest on Toohey Road, Tarragindi is only 10 kilometres south of Brisbane. Toohey Forest and reserve offers extensive walking tracks through open forest and you can take in the fabulous 360 degree views of Brisbane from Mt Gravatt lookout.

Karawatha Forest on Acacia Road, Karawatha offers 9 kilometres of walking tracks ranging in length (from 1km to 2.5km), and a number of threatened and endangered species inhabit this forest.

Brisbane Koala Bushland at Alperton Park, Burbank is a great place to take a family friendly walk, along a trail which is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and see many koalas in the wild, as this bushland is home to around 5,000 koalas.

Hemmant Quarry Reserve on Fleming Road, Hemmant is a 24 hectare reserve that boasts beautiful picnic facilities and a number of walking tracks.

Seven Hills Reserve on Latina Avenue, Seven Hills offers a number of good walking tracks through 51 hectares of open eucalyptus forest.

White Hills Reserve on Boundary Road, Camp Hill offers 171 hectares of walking tracks, lookouts, footbridges, playgrounds and picnic areas…a perfect spot to take the family for a relaxing and affordable day out.

Anstead Bushland on Hawkesbury Road, Anstead is 80 hecatres of beautiful bushland.

Mt Coot-tha Forest off Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Mt Coot-tha is 15 minutes from the centre of Brisbane, and offers walking and bike tracks, barbeque and picnic areas, a cafe and restaurant. From the Mt Coot-tha lookout, take in the fabulous views of Brisbane City and beyond. At around 15,000 hectares of open eucalyptus forest, Mt Coot-tha Forest is one of Brisbane’s largest natural areas.

Please note all of these forests and reserves are Brisbane City Council parkland or bushland, where camping is prohibited, so if it’s a great bushland camping spot you’re after, please call the Environmental Protection Agency or visit their website, www.epa.qld.gov.au

For more information on forests and reserves in and around Brisbane, please visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.

Tags: barbeque, bike, Brisbane, bush, fauna, flora, forest, holiday, lookout, parks, picnic, playground, Queensland, reserve, walking, wildlife
Posted in AROUND BRISBANE, Brisbane - East, Brisbane - North, Brisbane - South, Brisbane - West | No Comments »

Outdoor Adventure Activities in Brisbane

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

Brisbane is the state capital of Queensland and is Australia’s third largest city with a population of close to 2 million as of 2007. It is located in the southeast corner, and the area used to be called Mian-jin by the locals because that means ‘place shaped as a spike’ since it is on a floodplain between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range. You can take a cruise on the Brisbane River if you like.

There is a spectacular view of the city from Mt. Coot-tha (meaning ‘place of honey’), which is 287 metres above sea level, and became a public park of 1500 acres in 1883.

Brisbane was named for Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales at the time Brisbane was established in 1824. It was the South West Pacific headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.

Convict labor in 1828 built the oldest surviving buildings: The Windmill (originally used as a place to grind grain, unusual with its wind powered sails, and later became an observatory) and the Old Commissariat Store (presently the home of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland).

The magnificent scenery and waters provide endless outdoor adventures to be enjoyed.

The Crocodile Hunter (Steve Irwin) and his daughter (Bindi) brought much attention to the Australia Zoo, which is on over 70 acres of bush land containing over 1,000 species including koalas, kangaroos, tigers, wombats, snakes, elephants, and much more including magnificent gardens. Would you like to get your picture taken with a baby crocodile? You can! And there are wheelchairs and scooters available for the disabled so they can see the sights along with the rest of the family.

If you want to see, touch and feed more koalas and kangaroos, you can visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is the world’s largest with over 130 koalas.

If you are willing to take a leisurely drive 90 minutes away, you can visit the Rathdowney Alpaca Farm, where you can enjoy the feel of their soft fleece after learning about them and visit their Alpaca Shack with handcrafted garments and many other gifts. There is also a 100 year old Queenslander farmhouse with beautiful gardens.

The Story Bridge has 6 lanes of traffic but also a bikeway and footpath and a famous pub under its span!! At the annual Riverfire, there are unbelievable fireworks displays. Fireworks are also featured year-round along with festivals, cinemas, eating places, and free live entertainment at the South Bank.

The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are sheer steep cliffs in the city where climbers can prove their skills even at night when the cliffs are lit up.

The Sky Needle (88 metres high) was part of World Expo 88.

You can venture out a short drive to some of the world’s cleanest and most beautiful beaches, the world-famous Sunshine Coast (44 miles long) and the Gold Coast (22 miles long), where you can swim, sail, surf or sunbake.

Tags: abseiling, alpaca, Australia, Australia Zoo, beach, Bindi Irwin, Brisbane, climb, Crocodile Hunter, elephant, entertainment, farm, fireworks, General Douglas MacArthur, Gold Coast, Great Dividing Range, kangaroo, Kangaroo Point, koala, Lone Pine, Moreton Bay, Mt Coot-tha, park, Queensland, Rathdowney, river, Riverfire, sail, Sir Thomas Brisbane, Sky Needle, snake, Steve Irwin, Story Bridge, Sunshine Coast, surf, swim, tiger, Windmill, wombat, World Expo 88
Posted in Brisbane - East, Brisbane - North, Brisbane - South, Brisbane - West, Brisbane CBD, Fortitude Valley, Gold Coast, Ipswich & Surrounds, Southbank, Sunshine Coast | No Comments »

Bargain Hunting in Brisbane

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Love bargains and digging for hidden treasures? The Sunday Discovery Market in Brisbane is just what thrifty shoppers are searching for. This bustling market is a weekly local event.

For unique and easy ways to save on items for your lifestyle needs like local produce, gently used clothing and books, and eclectic home décor, this huge marketplace houses over 380 vendor stalls. Over 5,000 avid shoppers arrive at the Sunday Discovery Market every weekend for bargain hunter’s paradise.

What kind of treasures and deals are to be found? Mountains of fresh, local, seasonal fruits and vegetables for winter-starved appetites, and freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, and snacks are ready for purchase. Nibble on a tasty treat while you stroll around the assortment of stalls, choosing from plants, clothing, CDs and DVDs, jewellery and every kind of imaginable home décor item.

For frugal ways to stretch budget dollars there are many merchants offering good quality, previously owned clothing items. Purchasing such items for children is a good investment since they outgrow garments so rapidly.

If the thought of a whirlwind of activity and crowding created by thousands of shoppers makes you feel claustrophobic, the City Farmers Market in Brisbane Square may be preferable. Held every Wednesday, there are bargains and values on everything from local organic produce to taste tantalizing freshly made food items. Eat them right on the spot, or tote them home to enjoy later.

This is just a quick glimpse of the multitude of shops, retailers, and merchants found in Brisbane. Sharp bargain hunters know how to find the best deals – follow the locals.

Brisbane MarketPlace is located on Sherwood Road at Rocklea and there is plenty of on-site and nearby parking available.

Tags: Australia, bargains, books, Brisbane, Brisbane Square, CD, City Farmers Market, clothing, decor, DVD, fruit, jewellery, markets, plants, produce, Queensland, shopping, Sunday, Sunday Discovery Market, vegetables
Posted in Brisbane - South, Brisbane - West, Brisbane CBD | No Comments »

Things To See and Do In Brisbane

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Brisbane, Australia is the capital and most populous city in Queensland. Located on the Brisbane river, the climate is humid and subtropical. Brisbane is home to a thriving classical and contemporary music scene, many theatres and performing arts centres and several world-class museums. Parks, beaches and public gardens are available for outdoor activities and there are a variety of public festivals scheduled year round.

In 2007, Billboard Magazine nominated Brisbane as one of the Top 5 International Music Hotspots and Brisbane lives up to this distinction with its many live musical events. Throughout the city, there are pubs, clubs and outdoor cafes that offer live entertainment nightly. From classical to contemporary, Brisbane embraces its Hotspot nomination.

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is home to the concert hall and several theatres. Ballet, opera, orchestra and other performing arts troupes call this venue home.

Opened in 2006, the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) houses collections from around the world. GoMA is the largest modern art museum in Australia. Its large size allows for large scale exhibitions, including the largest Andy Warhol retrospectives in the country.

There are historic sites in Brisbane that relate to its importance during World War II. Buildings that were used as headquarters for Allied troops have been preserved. The Shrine of Remembrance, a war memorial, is located in Anzac Square.

South Bank Parklands are a popular area for events and celebrations. There are over 17 hectares of lawns and gardens and it is the site of many weddings.

Perfect for walks, weddings, biking and relaxing, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is an old and venerable complex. Its central location and lush gardens make it a popular destination for locals.

No trip to Brisbane would be complete without a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Opened in 1927, it is the oldest sanctuary of its kind. Over 130 koalas call the sanctuary home, and there are also kangaroos and other native Australian animals available to meet and feed.

Beautiful and clean, the Gold Coast beaches of Queensland are a short drive from Brisbane. Well protected by the famous Aussie beach patrol (Surf Life Saving Australia), visitors can choose from over 70 kilometres of prime sandy beaches. All popular beach activities are available, including sailing, surfing, wind surfing, swimming and snorkeling.

Brisbane is a vital and exciting city with a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for local residents and tourists alike.

Tags: Anzac Square, Australia, ballet, beach, botanic gardens, Brisbane, cafe, club, festival, garden, Gold Coast, GoMA, kangaroo, koala, Lone Pine, music, opera, orchestra, park, pub, QPAC, Queensland, sailing, Shrine of Remembrance, snorkelling, surfing, swimming, theatre
Posted in Brisbane - East, Brisbane - North, Brisbane - South, Brisbane - West, Brisbane CBD, Fortitude Valley, Gold Coast, Ipswich & Surrounds, Southbank, Sunshine Coast | No Comments »

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