Part 6 SYD-BNE, Brisbane and the Hilton Brisbane

I woke up at 0800 and ready to head to Brisbane, after having a leisurely shower I checked out of the hotel and headed to Central station to again get the train to Sydney Airport. This time I was only heading to the domestic terminal but again it cost me $17.40.

I arrived and quickly found where I needed to check in my luggage. Emerald checkin was quick and painless. The staff pointed out where I needed to go and how to find the lounge. The domestic lounges at Sydney are ok, they have a small selection of snacks but the bar doesn't open till after 12 by which point I was going to be onboard the aircraft. I had some soup and bread then selected a load of fruit and made them into a smoothie.

Soup and Bread


View of the QF A330 in from Perth


Boarding was on time and efficient, business class and OWE called first to board. I had booked a cheap $45 fare in the QF sale and managed to get an emergency exit seat. I struck up a conversation with the lady who was sat next to me and she gave me plenty of ideas of what to do in Brisbane and how to get to the city from the airport.

The crew served efficiently and we got a bacon & egg bun for brunch. This is well above what you get on BA and even better after buy on board is introduced. As we landed I headed off to collect my hold luggage when as I was buying my bus ticket to go into Brisbane the lady I had been sat next to turned up with her son and offered me a lift to my hotel which I graciously accepted! Friendly bunch of convicts these lot!

Brunch onboard


After being dropped at the Brisbane Hilton I was informed that the room I had selected wasn't ready (I had checked in online) but if I was happy to accept another one I could have it straight away, this wasn't a problem and I gladly swapped. The lift upto the rooms in this hotel is fabulous and the bar area also is really pleasant.

When I found my room I walked in to find a maid cleaning it, as I stood there a bit puzzled a supervisor came to see me and immediately phones the desk, at this point I was then shown to another room which was ready! The room was really nice and the supervisor insisted on pointing out certain landmarks, where I could go for a run and also brought some literature for me to read up on various trips that could be taken.

Hilton Brisbane Bed


Shower, again a waterfall head!




I went down to the pool area to have a look before heading out into Brisbane for a walk and to plan a route for a run later.




I went out for a walk and found the river, walked along it for a bit and crossed some of the bridges. Having found what I thought would be a good route I headed back and got changed before going out and doing a 6 mile run. The heat was killing me at this point so after finishing it was shower and lots of water consumed. I'd been told about a place in Brisbane called the pig and whistle which did a 'Middlesbrough Parmo' so I was eager to give it a try and see if it matched up to the parmo's back home. I found the pub and proceeded to purchase it with a nice pint of lager.

The parmo arrived and I can honestly say it was pretty good considering I was 8000 miles from home. For anyone interested a parmo is the signature dish of Teesside. Its chicken breast flattened, covered in bread crumbs then deep fried. Bechamel sauce is then put on top with a coating of cheese served with chips and salad or chips and cream cabbage.


By this point it was 2000 and I was feeling pretty knackered. I headed back to the hotel and got my head down by about 2100.

I woke up about 0600 and headed out to find some breakfast, a quick snack and it was time to walk round the shopping area while it was pretty much deserted. I got back to the hotel and changed and off I went again for a run, it was pleasantly cool at this time of the morning. I got back and decided I would get the 1030am sailing of the boat tour along the river.

I boarded the M.V Neptune and was greeted with scones with cream and jam plus a cup of tea. Scoffed down 3 scones and a further cup of tea before we were under way. It was at this point I realised there was only me and 4 other people on the boat who were english speaking, the rest were chinese tourists enjoying the sights on the upper deck of the boat. I proceeded down to the bar and acquainted myself with a beer or 4 whilst listening to the commentary.

The sights and commentary were great and the beer was cold, what else could I ask for? The commentator explained how each time Brisbane had gone through hard times or a recession they would build a new bridge and that is one of the reasons why there is so many bridges across the river in Brisbane. The water traffic was immense with commuters coming and going on the river ferries and there was also lots of commentary about the massive floods Brisbane suffered a few years back where people had unfortunately lost their lives.

We stopped at a point down the river where you could get off and have some dinner then catch the afternoon boat back however I decided to stay on as there was plenty more walking to be done.

The M.V. Neptune


Mid morning snack


Few pictures of my trip down the river.






















After getting off the boat I headed to a local pub I'd found on the map for some dinner and another beer or 2. The food was ok but not the best for the money paid. I'd then been told about a backpackers bar to go to so headed off to find that for later that night as I was intending to meet up with some other FTers that evening.

I got back to my hotel and freshened up before heading to meet the other FTers at a bar we had arranged, I can't remember the name of it for the life of me but I eventually found them and we had a few beers. We chatted all sorts including about points and deals that were ongoing plus the upcoming Oz Fest. After several hours we parted ways and I found my was eventually to the back packers bar, safe to say this was an eye opened and I would certainly be back again if I'm ever in Brisbane again but for now it was time to hit the hay and get ready to head to the Gold Coast tomorrow for Oz Fest Gold Coast!