Ted Smout Bridge Opening

The Ted Smout Bridge was recently opened (July 11 2010) and we had the opportunity to undertake the 2.7km walk across this road bridge that will act as the south-bound traffic lanes connecting the Redcliffe Peninsula with Brisbane. This bridge not only supports the road traffic but also pedestrian and cycle traffic on a separated area and also has a fishing platform in one of the channels off the eastern side of the bridge.


Now that the new bridge is open, two of the three lanes on the Houghton Highway are now permanently north bound, with the third lane currently closed until the maintenance of this bridge has been finalised with all three lanes to be open to traffic north bound at the completion of the project. The contractors are also currently demolishing a fair chunk of the heritage listed Hornibrook Bridge. This is a sad sight, but something that has been proposed as part of the project for a long time.

The day of the opening was well organised with a limited number of 'tickets' issued to ensure that the bridge wasn't clogged with too many people ensuring the walking pace was appropriate for all people. Also the use of buses at each end of the bridge meant that you didn't have to make the return bridge walk if you didn't want to. Phew!

Out of the Box Festival

My toddler and I headed to the Out of the Box festival that was being held in the Performing Arts/State Library/Art Gallery precinct in Brisbane. There were a lot of ticketed events...we attended the Grug show aimed at the under 4 audience. The set was excellent, the show entertaining and a good sized audience that allowed parents to sit with their children without hindering the view of others.

There were also a number of free events, including story telling, music stages and crafty activities. These were excellent and high quality, all with an educational theme.

There was also a lit maze that allowed exploration for the children. We didn't however venture into this due to queue and the expected wait time, but the photos I have seen of it, made it look like a great experience for parents and children alike.

Overall, what a brilliant idea for the education and entertainment of young people in Brisbane. Certainly looked like it was a hit with the school children and their teachers.

Easter Sunday and Brisbane City

Didn't do anything particularly interesting in the city, but thought that I would share some of the photos that I took of St John's Church on Ann Street and some of the adjacent buildings this morning.

St John's Cathedral



Buildings in St John's Cathedral complex

Gallery of Modern Art

Today we went out to the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. We hit the road to start with and then stopped closer to town and caught the train to South Brisbane. From here we took a short stroll to the Gallery at the end of the performing art's complex.

At present the Gallery of Moderan Art (GOMA) has the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Arts. It was very interesting with some significant pieces both physical and emotional sense. Well to me anyway....I don't have a particular artistic perspective, but enjoyed the cultural experience. During the school holidays there was a great kid's experience that linked in with the current exhibition. OUr daughter enjoyed kaledioscope painting, placing stickers on a number of buddha statues, playing with plasticine, mixing her face (photo) with both mine and her Dads, playing in the felt garden with 3D fish, fallen leaves, flowers and soft rocks.

Half way through the day we stopped for lunch at the River Cafe overlooking Brisbane City. The large expansive roof means that this facility is suitable for both wet and dry weather, even though most of the seating is outside. Also a significant portion of the grassed area near this facility was in the shade during this hot part of the day. The cafe also lends picnic blankets (I think for a small refundable deposit) that you can use to sit on the appealing green grass, rather than the comfortable seating arrangement.

After strolling the halls of GOMA for a fair few hours, headed to the State Library precinct where they again had some crafty children's activities and to the kiddie corner. Would have spent more time there but some of the party was getting a little tired.

Back to the train station at South Brisbane and with a convenient soft drink break at Central Station, as we needed to swap lines we spent a lovely day out and about in town using the convience of public transport and taking advantages of some of the additional activities that these public services have put on due to the school holidays.