Love, Life, & Beyond

I always find it so strange when poets write about how they long for summer. I’m sure they’re not talking about Indian summers. Our summer does not elicit any romance, even in the most talented of poets! 

To escape the Hyderabad heat, this year we decided to take a family trip to Australia. When most of the world is sweltering, Australia in winter enjoys pleasant weather, making it an ideal destination for an international holiday.

We chose Brisbane as our base, both because we have relatives there and because it’s the perfect hub for exploring Queensland attractions like the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo, and the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Wary of the infamous Australian wildlife (yes, those gigantic spiders and snakes that pop out of toilets!), we booked our tickets and set off.

We stayed for about three weeks, and it turned out to be one of the best vacations we’ve had in a long time. There’s so much to do and see—from museums and markets to wildlife encounters and reef adventures. The people are friendly, the public transport is convenient, and it’s easy to get around town. Without getting into too much detail, here are some of the highlights of our trip.

In and Around Brisbane – Brisbane Travel Guide & Things to Do

Brisbane might not be as popular as Sydney or Melbourne, but it has the big city vibe without it being overly crowded or touristy. Although we had rented a car, it was easy to get around by cabs, trains, ferry, and bus. It’s best to use public transport to go to the city side unless you want to pay a hefty parking fee. Shopping centres are a great way to spend a few hours if it’s raining or too hot, but shops close by 5pm so plan accordingly.

I always try to visit at least one museum when we travel abroad, as we lack quality public spaces in India. In Brisbane, the Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) are all next to each other. I loved the diversity of artists on display and signage that was interesting for even our son to read. There’s also a science center for kids and the art gallery has an interactive section for kids that even we adults enjoyed. Some of the exhibits are ticketed, but most of them are free to visit. The place wasn’t crowded so we could browse without feeling rushed. 

We were also lucky to catch a play at The Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC). It was a funny take on Shakespeare’s works and even our son, who is clueless about the Bard, enjoyed it a lot.

The University of Queensland grounds is great for a morning walk. They had a small open market on the grounds the day we visited, and I picked up a cute little journal and card. We took the ferry from here to the city side for a day out. We went to the Sky Deck at the Star. It is a partially glass-bottomed walk with great views of the city and some restaurants if you plan to eat or drink.

If you want to take in some natural beauty of the city, visit Mount Coot-Tha view point for a spectacular view. Nearby are the gorgeous botanic gardens and the planetarium. It was a lovely walk and a great way to spend a day.

Redcliffe market at Moreton Bay is a short drive away from Brisbane. The pier is breezy and the small sliver of beach is great for kids to frolic around in (carry some swim clothes and towels). They have an open air market on the weekends, but even on other days there are good places to shop and eat around here.

Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast – Family Day Trip from Brisbane

Australia Zoo has been on my radar for years. Steve Irwin was a childhood hero. Bindi and Robert Irwin are the kind of nepo babies we need more of! The zoo is just about an hour’s drive from Brisbane. We left after 9am to avoid being stuck in office traffic. Don’t miss the big show at the central auditorium where you can see the crocodiles show off their teeth. It is a beautifully-kept space with a variety of animals.

Our son was very keen on holding a koala, so we booked that experience for him. The booking has to be done online and a few days in advance because there are only limited slots and they get sold out soon. It was such a unique experience with a handler explaining the hows and whats of the species. It was the only place that actually lets you hold the koala, not just pet it. They have similar experiences with other animals as well, but since they are not cheap, we were glad we could do one.

There’s an area where kangaroos are left to chill in the open. Visitors can interact with them, pet them, or feed them with special food bought from the food stall. They were softer than I thought they’d be. 

The animal enclosures are well thought out and many of the residents here are rescues so you don’t feel too bad about them being caged in as they are well cared for. There’s a big cafeteria that serves a variety of good food. We also had a quick peek at the animal hospital near the parking lot where you can see doctors checking up or treating any patient brought in—from tiny birds to large cats! We saw a small lizard being weighed through the glass walls.

Blackbutt – Hidden Gem Near Brisbane for a Weekend Getaway

Regardless of the name, it is a gorgeous quaint little town. We spent a weekend there, two hours away from Brisbane. (Make a stop at Fernvale bakery on the way from Brisbane for some delicious baked goods.) 

The town is known for its bakery that sells pies – savoury and sweet. But they sell out fast so that’s an incentive to wake up early. Many cycling groups make this a compulsory stop on their routes, especially on weekends, so you’ll be jostling for space with them.

We walked around the small town. Many local shops have their arts, crafts, and fresh produce for sale. 

In the evening, we drove to the nearby Linville Hotel for dinner. It is a historic pub with good food and awesome live music under the stars. The fireside seats are the first to fill up in the evening, but the seating indoors have overhead heaters if you feel cold. On the way back to the cabin, we stopped at a secluded spot to marvel at the clear night sky where you could see a clear outline of the Milky Way.

Lake Wivenhoe is another detour you can take on the route to or from Brisbane. The lake and adjoining park is a perfect place to spread your picnic mat for a nap while the kids can play without a worry.

Gold Coast – Beaches, Theme Parks & Family Attractions

We drove to Gold Coast for a short 2-night stay. It is an easy two hour drive from Brisbane. Although it is known for its beaches and surfing spots, we had to skip this part as the weather was not suitable for a beach day, and the waters were very choppy. There is also an outlet mall here called Harbour Town where you can pick up some good deals on big brands.

The town is also known for the many amusement parks in the area. We chose to go to Sea World, which has a good mix of rides and animals to see. A handful of rides were thrilling, while the rest were more gentle. Animal presentations and shows were also fun, especially when you get a front row seat to meet the resident walrus!

The splash park area was a big hit with our son. Riding a boat with a water gun was fun, and we could spray him with water guns from the bank. Do take swim clothes, towel, and a change of clothes. The park was big enough to spend a full day in, and small enough to cover all of it without needing to rush. Our son could repeat some of the rides he loved. The main stunt show was fun to watch but get there early to get seats at the cafeteria.

In the evening, we went for the Australian Outback Spectacular show. It is an Australian-themed show held in an arena with horses and other animals. You can enjoy the show while you are served a fabulous dinner with drinks. They recommend you reach an hour early and enjoy some pre-show fun, including line dancing! 

We also visited the Tambourine mountain canopy walk on the way back. It was a nice experience, but a tad overpriced. 

On the way to the canopy walk, there’s an adorable little cottage called Mount Tambourine Distillery that sells handcrafted liqueur in various flavours and sizes. We tried a sampler package before buying a handful to take home.

Cairns – Great Barrier Reef, Rainforests, & Beaches 

Since we were in Queensland, we were told we should absolutely not miss seeing the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is a 2-hour flight from Brisbane, and even in the winter months it was warm.

We reached in the early afternoon and headed straight for the promenade, which is a fantastic way to spend the day. There’s everything from play areas for kids, a public pool, ferris wheel, dining options, and plenty of shops. The city council library is a small one, but it is pretty with its stained glass windows. Take a walk in the evening when it’s a little cooler. You could easily spend the whole day here if you have the time.

The next day we went to Kuranda Village in the rainforest. You could drive there, but also take a scenic train or cable car. Unfortunately the train was under maintenance the week we were there so we opted for the Skyrail or cable car. It is a three part journey where you can get down at each stop and see the views—including a canopy walk with a forest ranger and a glass-bottom view point of the Barron Falls. The village at the top has many other activities, but we preferred to just walk around and take in the sights and shops. 

The following day, we booked a day cruise to Michaelmas Cay that included a ride in the glass submarine and snorkelling. The marine biologist gave a small presentation on the sensitive biodiversity and the staff were very helpful in guiding us first-timers about how to snorkel. We saw some turtles and large corals along with some colourful fishes. It was mesmerising to see how alive the corals were.

On our final day of stay here, since our flight was in the evening, we decided to go for a quick drive to nearby Port Douglas. The beach was exquisite and wasn’t crowded. Our son got tempted to play there but we had to drag him out within the hour so we could make it back on time for our flight. It is a beautiful drive and we wished we could’ve spent more time there.

Australia Visa for Indians – How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa

Applying for an Australian Tourist visa was a convenient paper-free process. Everything is online. We didn’t even have to show the print of the visa anywhere. You need to fill in the online form and upload all the relevant documents though: bank statements, letter from office, salary slip, etc. We didn’t have the time to do so we got it done through MakeMyTrip visa service at a small cost. I got mine in a week, the other two took another two weeks. Apparently, each application is processed separately. The visa is valid for three years and is multiple entry, but not if you change your passport. 

Travelling to Australia – Tips for First-Time Visitors

Some things to keep in mind if you are going to Australia for the first time:

• Do not bring any food items. Chocolates and some packaged food is ok, but they will check your luggage and you will be fined if caught. Even food you got in your flight won’t be allowed outside the airport. Check the official list if in doubt.
• Make sure you don’t have any mud on your shoes.
• If you plan to carry alcohol, you can carry it in your checked-in bags. If you plan to shop at duty-free, you will only be allowed to bring it from your last port of entry. We had bought some from Hyderabad airport but we were not allowed to take it through Singapore. There was an Australian official specially to discard any bottles not bought in Singapore. We had one, someone else had three that went straight in the bin.

Getting around in Australia

An Indian driving license is valid for 3 months in Australia so my husband rented a car and drove all over town. Rentals are very affordable in Brisbane. Read up on the rules before you start to drive, and stick to the speed limits, which are thankfully not high.

Cairns being a tourist area was more expensive but the pricing is flexible depending on the day of the week and time of the year. 

If you prefer public transport, that’s a good option too. Buses, trains, ferry, and rental cabs are easily available. In fact, if you plan to go to the city side, car parking can cost more than your meal itself!

Where to Stay in Australia

In Brisbane we stayed with family at their beautiful home in the suburbs. 

In Cairns we got a gorgeous AirBNB called Stoney Treehouse that we loved. It was a little away from the main tourist area and was surrounded by greenery with a small creek a short walk away. The house was well equipped with everything and was tastefully decorated.

In GoldCoast we stayed at Sheraton Grand Mirage, which was near Sea World. The food here was scrumptious and the room was spacious. We walked past the pool area and had access to the beach. There’s also a nice walking/running track if you have the time. 

In Blackbutt, we stayed in an Airbnb cabin, which was a perfect holiday home. It was equipped with basic kitchen items. Amenities included a sauna, jacuzzi, and pool. They also had a small bonfire pit that we made use of at night. The skies were clear enough to see the glorious stars and a hint of the Milky Way. In the morning, we met the neighbour’s horses, some wild deer, and many local birds. There was also a dog who bounded over to meet us from one of the adjacent homes.

What to Shop in Australia 

I had not planned on much but we did end up shopping quite a bit. 

I was glad to see women’s clothing range from basics to unique prints and colours. Gormans has limited edition prints if you want to splurge. Bonds is another local brand we loved, known for comfortable inner and lounge wear. Sizing was very inclusive for men and women, which was a refreshing change from other places I’ve shopped. 

Many open air markets take place in different areas where we found some gems like quirky enamel lapel pins, earrings, and clothes. Malls have good discounts too. Outlet malls had great deals so we did most of our shopping there.

We shopped for food items we could bring back from supermarkets like Coles and Aldi; chocolates from Darrell Lea, TimTams in various flavours, Jumpy’s snacks, and local cheese are some of our favourites. 

Aboriginal arts and crafts made by the local communities are good souvenirs. Museum gift shops had a good collection of art prints. We got some handmade soaps, art prints, shells, etc.

Our son also sent postcards from the Australia Mail kiosk in one of the malls. My sister, living in Europe got hers in two weeks, but the Indian postal took 3 months to deliver it to his grandparents.

What to Eat in Australia

There’s all kinds of food available here to suit every palette. Vegetarian and vegan options were also available in most places. 

We loved the Grill’d burgers, Yo-Chi frozen yoghurt, Guzman y Gomez for Mexican food, Felons for a pint by the riverside, Turkish kebabs at the open-air markets, fresh oysters in Cairns, and many local food brands that served a wide range of cuisines. We were glad to see plenty of local coffee shops that were better and more popular than a particular US chain brand.

For a night in, we picked up some healthy options from the supermarket, some fresh soup and salad to go with a frozen pizza! My husband became obsessed with ice cream sticks by a brand called Kapiti. I loved the coconut yoghurt from Coles and the frozen yoghurt from Yo-Chi and similar shops. Our son gorged on nutritious pizzas and burgers. Between all this, we were glad to be staying with family where we could have plenty of wholesome homemade food.

Travelling with Kids – Australia Family Vacation Tips

Australia is kid-friendly. There were playgrounds everywhere we went and plenty of kids using them. Families were out even on weekdays having a picnic. Our son loved the fact that almost every playground had a small zip-line.

If you prefer spending time outdoors, there are many small to medium hiking trails and nature walks.

We also spent some time at the local library that had something for all ages and preferences.

Our three weeks in Australia were nothing short of magical. From exploring Brisbane attractions to the thrilling wildlife encounters at Australia Zoo and snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, every experience was unforgettable. What stood out most was how family-friendly Australia travel is—clean cities, great public transport, and plenty of kid-friendly activities everywhere. If you’re planning an Australia holiday itinerary, look beyond Sydney and definitely consider visiting Queensland.