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Monday 29 June 2015

Day 1 Queensland Australia (Brisbane)

Day 0 (Pre-departure Planning)

Flights
Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas fly to Brisbane Airport while Scoot flies to Gold Coast Airport. The prices for Scoot all in which includes (Baggage, Meals and Seats selection) can go as low as SGD440 while prices for a SQ promo ticket can go as low as SGD588. Queensland is a cheaper destination by air ticket compared to Sydney and Melbourne which is further south of Singapore. 

Insurance
I purchased the citi-AIG insurance for 8 days that amount to SGD60. As always, buy through the bank, its cheaper but do check the coverage. For the Citi one, the coverage is the same as what AIG offers.

Transportation in Queensland
You have to self drive when you are there to be able to visit far away attractions as bus timings are limited and are quite pricey. 

I have selected Hertz car rental that allows me to earns 3X Krisflyer miles (1500 miles) and provides a 10% off the car rental with your Krisflyer membership. (Managed to save SGD26) However, the expensive item for car rental is not the car itself but the zero excess insurance. Total car rental for a 7 days Toyota Camry was SGD260 but after all the necessary insurance, the total amount comes up to SGD485

Half tank petrol costs about SGD 35+ (will elaborate more below)

Day 1


SQ255 (SIN to BNE)
flight time: 0045 - 1035



It is a full service flight, serving 2 meals (Supper and Breakfast)




Chicken with noodles
Taste: 7/10
Fish with Potato
Taste: 7.5/10
Arrival at Brisbane Airport

 

The immigration at Brisbane Airport is now fully electronic. The biometric process allows you to be checked into Australia without visiting the custom officers for a chop. You just need to scan your biometric passport into the machines to generate this ticket you see above. Insert that ticket into another machine which will open the doors to allow entry into the baggage claims area. No chops on your passports. 



There are car rentals available at Brisbane Airport but we decide to explore Brisbane city first. Car parking in Brisbane city is expensive with overnight parking charges amounting to AUD45. Hertz have a branch in downtown Brisbane and we did our collection the next day. You can collect and return at different branches. 

Brisbane domestic airport is located in another terminal that is not linked with the international terminal. If you are transiting, there are airport shuttles available at AUD5 and AUD10 for airtrain.

Airtrain

The fastest way to get to downtown Brisbane is by the Airtrain. A full one way adult fare is AUD17 but if you book them online, you can save AUD2. If you are travelling in pairs, you can get the online duo savers at AUD27 for 2 which amounts to AUD13.5 per person. The train takes you to Gold Coast too. My destination is Brisbane City: Roma Street Station

Click here for more information on Airtrain's fares

Attention: You can only get these savings if you prebook your Airtrain tickets online. 






Meriton Service Apartment at Herschel Street

14th June 2015
AUD 90 per night 


When you exit the Roma Street Station, you will see this tallest building in Brisbane city and that is the Meriton Service Apartment building. The 2 bedrooms are located on their higher floors (level 65 to 74) which will provide you with a breathtaking view of the city. I got the 1 bedroom situated at (level 11 to 24).







The lift system works on an assigned basis. You have to scan your apartment card and they will send down your exclusive transport that goes only to your floor. High exclusivity and security.

Stay comfort: 9/10 (Best stay for my trip - You have to book this if you are in Brisbane)

Brisbane City



Streets on a Sunday
Brisbane City is the CBD are for Queensland. It is very quiet on weekends, much like our Shenton Way which is only filled with office people on weekdays. 


Opening Hours:
0900 - 1700

For location, click here










The shopping belt in Brisbane City. There are 2 major departmental stores (Myers and David Jones) there as well as many international brands like FCUK, Tommy Hilfiger etc. June is the right period to go as it is their sales period. They call them the Australia stocktake sales or end of financial year sales. Bought a FCUK tees for AUD13.

Experience:
7/10

Hungry Jacks (aka Burger King) Lunch
2 burgers meal at AUD12.5
Taste: 6/10
Street Performance

Noosa Chocolate Factory






Try the chocolates at the famous Noosa Chocolate factory right at the heart of Brisbane. The rocky road and macadamia chocolates are highly recommended.

  Taste: 
8/10
Museum Visiting


Opening Hours:
1000 - 1700

Free admission

For location, click here

The GOMA museums are free to enter. I really enjoyed my relaxing day at the museum, moving from one art piece to another. They are currently displaying art pieces of Michael Parekowhai. 

Beside the GOMA museum, there is also an adjacent museum catered for the kids: Queensland Museum and Sciencenter. They were having the humanoid discovery exhibition at the Sciencenter and Queensland Museum showcases natural history with fossils of dinosaurs etc.


Queensland State Library
GOMA










Experience: 
8/10

Opening Hours:
24 hours

Free admission

For location, click here

Stroll through the park to enjoy the sceneries and throw your fast paced life behind to experience the relaxing lifestyle of the Aussies. It is something that you cannot get to enjoy when you are back at home. 


Pinic and live band at the park



Brisbane River

Experience: 
7/10
The iconic Brisbane river that has a snaking path within the city. You can see the Meriton apartment in the backdrop.

Weekend Market

Opening Hours:
0800 - 1700

If you are here on a Sunday, you are just in time for their weekend market at South Bank Parkland. There are other weekend market at different venues on different days, mostly on Wednesday and Sundays.





The old and new Parliament Building is located near the premise of the Queensland University of Technology.

For location, click here
Old Parliament Building 
Current Parliament Building

Opening Hours:
24 hours

Admission: 
Free

For location, click here



Dinner at Red Rooster


Half of the whole chicken

AUD 19 for a whole chicken, fries and 3 330ml drinks. Stores there close as early as 5pm. So it is wise to have an early dinner. Else, you can have dinner at the bars which closes at around 9pm. 

Taste: 6.5/10









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