Our American friends told us of a trip they took to North Stradbroke Island so after checking the weather for last Saturday we headed out for a wonderful adventure. First we walked down to the Central Rail Station and caught the train to Cleveland, an hour trip. Then we waited for the free bus to the ferry, unfortunately we got on the wrong bus and had to pay for the bus ride, oh well. We just caught the ferry as it was leaving. We had a 30 minute ferry ride across to the island. Then we had another 20 minute bus ride.
Riding across the island on a small tour bus I kept thinking of the movie Jewel of the Nile where she is riding the bus on these narrow roads through the jungle. The roads were tree lined and very narrow and the bus stops along the way were nothing more than a bus stop at crossroads with no buildings around. People were getting off at the different spots with there bathing things and surf boards. There was a trailer behind the bus to put in bikes and surf boards and such. We were heading for the last stop at Point Lookout where there was shops and café’s.
North Stradbroke Island or “Straddie” as the locals call it, it the 2nd largest sand island in the world. It is 23.61 miles long and 6.84 miles wide, so my conversion table tells me. Along with South Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island they form the barrier for Moreton Bay.
As usual I took a lot of pictures so you will see our adventure for the next three days. First up--the train ride to Cleveland, the ferry ride and a couple of bus pictures.
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| We saw some graffiti but this was a nice mural at one of the stations. |
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| Cleveland- the end of this train line. |
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| View of the ocean from the bus! |
What a great adventure! Can't wait to see the beach pictures! I forgot to ask ... did you have any effects of the tsunami? You're pobably too south. They had closed all the area beaches in San Diego that day, but I don't think there was much happening. There was damage further north at Santa Cruz to docks and boats and one California man (25 years old) got swept away while photographing the waves and they never found him.
ReplyDeleteWow, is there any sort of convayence the you haven't been on? The sheer variety of the different things that you have done is amazing. Maybe there is no place like home - but the Land of Oz sure has a lot to say for itself! (Seen Wicked yet?:-) )
ReplyDeleteWe did have tsunami warnings at first and we almost didn't go on this trip but then they cancelled them for all of Australia. We were worried about you in California, but heard you were fine.
ReplyDeleteGoing to see Wicked Sunday afternoon, can't wait!!!!
I haven't ridden the city cycle bikes, if I had a bicycle helmet, I would! :o)
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