I really made it to Australia - still can´t belive it!!!

My flight in was from Christchurch straight to the Gold Coast on the 11.october 2012.- It was a bit of a mess at the airport. First I made a mistake with the spelling on my visa, and then I didn´t think of putting my camping gas out of my backpack. But I made it - somehow :)

Everything is a bit differnet here and all is bigger, especially after such a long time in New Zealand and Stewart Island. Big motorways, lots of cars, skyscraper, and endless people. Yeah, and the beach. Gold Coast is an endless sandbeach full of surfers :)

Weather is for sure as well different. Usually just sun and at least 25°C.

The first 3 night I stayed near the airport near the town called Coolangatta. Lots of shopping malls and all shops you need (the first shop I saw was "Aldi" - a german supermarket with all typical christmas goodies. I couldnt believe it - just wanted out of there!). Lots of hotel resorts in big expensive skyscrapers and tourists everywhere. The beach is allways full of people.

At the end of the sandbeach then finally some rocks, a few cliffs and viewpoints - more my taste then endless sand! Some beautiful views over the open sea with high waves, apparently often with some whales.

And whenever you want to sit down for a minuite you get company by all the different birds looking for your food.

Last day in town then the Coolangatta Beach Festival with even more people, some markets and lots of competitions in running and sufing. Fun to watch it!

Missing New Zealand a lot - but now I have to get used to this country and give Australia a chance!

Next stop on the way north is Brisbane - the big city. Australians call it still a "middlesized" city, but for me it is huge!

Ne nice thing is that Brisbane is basicly between rivers. All around the city center you can walk over several bridges and both sides along the river. Sure, just with heaps of people, runners, skateboarders or bikers. Cool are as well all the parks. There is the botanical garden which is really nice with lots of exotic flowers. Then there are the Roma Parklands, basicly the same. And the park with the city beach - no, not a real beach! A made up beach with a pool :)

The good thing on being back in a bigger town are the cultural opportunities. Brisbane is a good place for that. Here you find (for free!!!) the Art Gallery, Modern Art and Museum. I really enjoyed it going after long time back to a Art Gallery!

Another day was the walk to the other side of town. There you find another botanical garden, the huge old cemetery and -. the reason for the long walk - Mt. Coot-Tha. Its a small "mountain", but it has a amazing view over the whole town!

Except that, Brisbane is acutally just a city like every other. Lots of shopping malls, busy people, heaps of huge glas-skyscapers. Between them a few nicer older buildings like churches or the town hall and the parliament.

Was nice, but a bit to long for me (I had to wait for the bankcard). Happy to move on to a smaller place :)