Brisbane (23.08.2012): We had the whole day to explore Brisbane today. We wandered around most of the day starting with a walk to South Bank (they even have a Brisbane Eye - rip off). We strolled down the river before crossing back over and checking out the botanical gardens. We managed to walk by everything that was highlighted on the map as being an attraction. All in all I give Brisbane a thumbs up - A cool city. We miss beaches and islands though!

In the afternoon we went on a tour of the XXXX Castlemaine Brewery. XXXX Gold is Aussie's best selling beer. I remember the days when they used to sell XXXX at home but it seems to have largely disappeared - apparently the UK were given a license to brew it but broke the terms of the agreement and so it was withdrawn. Shame! The tour was kool. We got to watch all stages on the process. The packaging bit was amazing. I felt like I was watching one of those videos on Playdays. The tour ended in a good old beer tasting session. We got to try a glass for four different beers in their very own Ale House. Good times.

Afterwards we made gourmet veggie chilli at the hostel. Yum. We managed to book a trip for tomorrow to Byron Bay. I am sad that we cannot tour the rest of the coast from Brisbane to Sydney. Byron Bay was somewhere I really wanted to visit especially as every traveller we met going North said it was their favourite place. We have had to toss up between going to Australia Zoo, Tangalooma Bay to see the dolphins or Byron. Byron has won and we head off there at 8am tomorrow. It's a shame that we have to miss places out but it is impossible to see everything ah. Oh lordy only 4 full days to go!!! We need more time!