Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.

Sunday 15 December, saw the opening of the Kangaroo Point Green [foot and cycle] Bridge [Not exactly and exciting name], connecting the city to the Kangaroo Point cliffs.

It took until Wednesday 8 January and our first walk of 2025,  for the Hungry Hikers to include it in a city trail to experience its elegance and beauty, against the city skyline, both in sunshine and darkness.

We were only four and set off from Orleigh Park, at 4.30 pm, allowing for the heat of the day to abate. Surprisingly, not one photo was taken until we arrived at the Neville Bonner Footbridge which had opened in September 2024. 

We crossed the bridge to continue along the northern shore.

'Looking Up', a larger than life sculpture of a figure contemplating the sky with a delightful sense of wonder and awe. Stainless steel, but originally fashioned from aluiminium foil roasting trays.

One just couldn't help joining him in looking up. 

We continued along the river and it was in the Botanic Gardens reach of the river that we first saw the new bridge. It is definitely impressive from any view point.

Upstream and downstream views.

The bridge finishes at a high point on the cliffs, but there was an elevator and steps to drop us down to river level.

There was a little time for a jazz session. Every time we walk here we say we must visit one evening. Don't hold your breath.

Waiting for the cross river ferry.

Pizza and bubbles at the Riverside Bar and Cafe just north of the new bridge.

Feeling replenished, we took a Citycat Ferry back to Orleigh Park. The bridge looked amazing lit in its blue and gold.

Nevile Bonner Footbridge top and Victoria Bridge for buses and pedestrians, below.

Such a wonderful afternoon, and beautiful evening, for walking in our fabulous city. 9 kilometres covered happily. Heavy rain, wind, lightning and thunder hit the city soon after we left.

There have been some excessively hot days so the Hungry Hikers are planning early morning, or late afternoon hikes.

Photos of the city and our new bridge, by Instagramer, 'brizzypic', at sunrise and sunset,  had Joc and I wanting to experience the same. On the 22nd January, sunrise was 5.12 am so I was on the road at 4am.  Certainly a great time to drive on the M1.

Kangaroo Point Green Bridge - 4.31 am

We met at Wilson's Point 

4.45 am

4.53 am

Down river views.

4.40 am

5 am

5.02 am to 5.11 am

Offically the sun is up. Taken at 5.14 am.

Joc and I took a walk along to the Story Bridge. The city view as we stepped onto the bridge.

Catching the morning colour through the bridge.

Back at Wilson's Point

It was time now to drive to New Farm Park for our 6 am meet up with Leanne, the only other Hungry Hiker available to walk on this day. We followed the river all the way up to Milton Ferry Terminal. 11 kilometres. Thankfully, mostly in shade as the mercury rapidly rose to 35 C in the middle of the day.

It was very pleasant for the first few k's.

.

Enjoying  the 'Look Up" sculpture.

Dolphins

Walking beneath the Riverside Expressway was not only cool, but had fascinating views of our many bridge structures. From New Farm Park to Milton Terminal, there is the lengthy, suspended New Farm Riverwalk and then 9 other bridges [pedestrian and vehicle] on this stretch of the Brisbane River.

Kurilpa Bridge - pedestrian

7.50 am - Feeling very hot. Still a kilometre to go.

The city now has two double decker Citycats. Finally we timed it right for our first ride, as we took the ferry back to New Farm Park.

A very welcome breakfast  and cold drinks, at the End of the Road Cafe.

We truly have a wonderful city to live in.

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Corellas and Australia Day

 

The scene above greeted me when I stepped out of the side door of our bedroom at 6 am yesterday morning, to turn our pool pump on. A tall, golden grevillea sits beside the fenceline to our neighbours. It is a shrub that beckons the lorikeets and honey eaters, but I have rarely seen a corella in it. What was also amazing was that they were feeding so quietly. No raucous squawking at all. I stood and watched and snapped photos for about half an hour. Mean while, our neighbours thought someone was trying to break into their home. Their bedroom is adjacent to the tree and with so many birds sitting on their colour
bond roof, [zinc and aluminium] their claws were making quite a racket.

I took myself to the pergola to watch them on the opposite side of the tree. Alas, my camera battery was flat so these images are from my Iphone.

They appeared very contented with the seed of the grevillea, but suddenly, en masse, they departed to visit our neighbours citrus and palm trees.

I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I live, and to pay my respects to the Elders past and present.

Monday 26 th January is Australia Day. Many call it Invasion Day as this was the date in 1778 that the first fleet arrived at Sydney Cove. 

Australia Day celebrations date back to 1808, but it only became an official public holiday in 1994. Many want a broader conversation about how - or when - Australia should commemorate its national identity. I am fully in favour of changing the date.

Several friends joined us for an Aussie cuppa / morning tea on Sunday. Anzac biscuits in the Gumnut Baby cake tin. My poor effort at making lamingtons. Iced, Vo Vo's - a traditonal Aussie bought biscuit, now ten times smaller and thinner. Vegemite flavoured crackers  in the shape of Australia with cheese and tomato. Note thow I placed my mini tomato to represent Tasmania.

Late afternoon my lovely friend Joc popped in, bringing a special bunch of native Australian flowers. Native flowers always last a long time in a vase, but as these are actually a cardboard arrangement, I will be enjoying them for quite some time.

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