Monday 29 April 2013

TOURIST IN MY OWN CITY: BRISBANE CITY CAT


With no immediate travel plans, I thought I would include in my Tourist Tuesday a series from my home town. I was born in Brisbane and as much as I love to travel, the beauty of Brisbane still holds true, for me. While it is not as cosmopolitan as say Melbourne or Sydney, there is a charm to Brisbane for local and visitors to appreciate.


Brisbane is built around its river so what better to start of this series of Tourist Tuesday, in my own town, than with a journey of the City Cat.


The day was overcast and the threat of rain was strong, however we set off, for a journey on the river. Jarvis has always loved the City Cat, and loves being outside with the wind in his face, there is also the inside air-conditioned comfort for those who prefer it.You can catch the ferry to the city, South Bank, or many of the stops along the river, or just enjoy the journey for it self.


We traveled the river stopping off for hot chocolates and then journeyed back, with a tired but happy little man who waved at all of the passing river traffic. It is a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and a great way to show any tourist a glimpse of our city.

The Story Bridge 




 There is lots of other traffic on the river




 Jarvis loves the wind on his face

 You pass a lot of Brisbane's other attraction on your journey.

History of the City Cat
* River Connections was established in August 1991, and was originally responsible solely for the Council's CityFerry fleet.
* The first four high-speed CityCat vessels were introduced in 1996, when River Connections had its contract with Brisbane City Council renewed.
* On 1 August 2004 Brisbane City Council's first "New Generation" CityCat, named Beenung-urrung (indigenous term for Highgate Hill), was launched and entered service one week later.
* Fast forward to 2013 and Brisbane City Council has 19 new generation City Cats in place, and has been awarded the highest international standards in Quality Environment and Safety.



14 comments:

  1. I love brissy...spent many a school hol there with the city cousins in the 70`s 80`s. was always amazed that you had morning cartoons and shops that opened on the weekends. oh and lone pine! loved it there x

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    1. Must visit Lone Pine! How long has it been since you last came to Brisbane?

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  2. Lovely! One day I'll get back up there.

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  3. What a great way to spend some time enjoying the river, I think the "Hopper" is free to go back ond forth across the river.
    Finn is a year older than Jarvis and we did the same, then went to the water play area at Southbank, not the "Beach" just small fountains, and trickles to play in, stripped him to his undies and he had a BALL !!! lucky I always carry a small Japanese cheesecloth hand towel, so dried him off and redressed when he finished, then on to the playground nearby to run around and warm up.Such simple cheap fun.

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    1. The city Hopper is free. South Bank is such a great place to take the kids, so much to do. Parking is so difficult so we normally get the bus or Ferry in.

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  4. wow it looks amazing! what a fab idea for a series post! xxxx

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    1. I had an argument with someone who said there is nothing in Brisbane, my response was every city and town has something unique that males them special. And this idea was born, showing what is in my own city that makes it special

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  5. Brisbane is SO understated!! All of my friends and family are always comparing it to Melbourne and Sydney and saying how boring it is here, but they are wrong! Brisbane has an understated charm and a cosyness to it. It's nice and cosmopolitan enough but small and homey at the same time. I don't know how to describe it, but I don't think I'd want to live anywhere else!

    Your post has really made me want to catch the CityCat more often. I used to catch it all the time when I lived in Toowong but haven't for a few years. I think I might make a day of it sometime and just ride it all over the place :D

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    1. Isn't it interesting how we forget, or we do not see what is in front of us.
      I so agree with how you describe Brisbane, there is a charm to it that is like no other.

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  6. Nice to meet someone else who appreciates Brisbane. I've started putting pics from my walks around Brisbane on Facebook. I discover something new every day.

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    1. If you have any recommendations of places I should visit, I would love to hear from you!

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  7. nice documentation. If you are a resident in this place and you still enjoy it, how much more will others feel? It's just a big wow for Brisbane. Cheers!

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  8. I think I am lucky to live in Brisbane. Have traveled to many cities and still think Brisbane has a lot to offer

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