February 28, 2017, Brisbane, Australia

February 28, 2017, Tuesday, Brisbane, Australia

Early this morning, the Queen Elizabeth docked at the container port on the outskirts of Brisbane, Australia. The river flowing through Brisbane is very winding. Way too difficult to back into the city and too narrow to turn around.

We have a ship’s tour today, a busman’s holiday. We are taking a cruise on the river on a paddle-wheel boat much like a Mississippi River steamer of old, but with a hydraulic drive paddle wheel. We have a live narration of the sights as we cruise down the river. He also includes some instrumental and vocal music along the way. This cruise also includes a luncheon meal served by a staff of waiters and drinks for an additional charge. The sights along the river include some very expensive homes of local politicians, national entertainers and the rich and famous. There were any number of old wool warehouses that had been turned into expensive condos. A great places to live since there is a fleet of river catamarans that make frequent stops along the river. From any stop on the river, you can take one of these ferries to the center of town or beyond to the universities further up stream.

Both before and after the cruise, we did sightseeing tours of various parts of the city and the neighborhoods leading out to the docks and the industrial areas. The local airport was just across the river from where we were tied up. From the top deck, we could see aircraft taking off and landing.

The channel leading into Brisbane is very long, more than fifty miles. The channel starts outside of the Great Barrier Reef and winds through the reef, and then behind some barrier island before getting to the Brisbane River. However, those parts of the trip are done in the early morning before sunrise or after sunset. I did look out from the balcony to see the lights of some small towns on the barrier islands.

Brisbane from across the river

Another view of Brisbane

Paddle Wheel to move our boat along

One of the local ferries in the colors of the local Rugby team

The Captain and Pilot in full command

Our River Boat

Dinner was at the Britannia and the evening show was a tribute group doing the music of one of the most popular and iconic rock acts of all time, Queen.