Although I am very much a "country mouse" instead of heading to big cities...today we will check out the capital of Queensland- Brisbane.
(pronounced Briz-Bun)
It also know by its nickname garnered because of the large music industry here (and release of an Elvis CD) Bris-Vegas.
Tour
https://youtu.be/zUwaqzbaoCY
Today's adventure will take us up on a prominent feature of Brisbane- The Wheel.
Much like The Eye in England or The Centennial Wheel in Chicago.
Standing 197 feet tall and erected in 2008 at the World Expo 88.
It has 42 passenger capsules and has a capacity of 336 people.
The ride lasts for 12 minutes and gives you a 360 view of the city.
An adult ticket is $21.
Today (virtually) we ride for FREE!
A Ride on The Wheel (Day and Night)
https://youtu.be/Z8_wLG6BKng
Nearby and throughout Queensland snakes the Brisbane River. At 214 miles it is the longest river in Queensland. The twists and turns reminds me of our own Mississippi River here in The States.
River Boat Cruise
https://youtu.be/Z5YbCyknMy4
The Lady in Red (BrisVegas Cruise)
https://youtu.be/Xw4i1L6x7P0
There are Port cruises, Casino cruises, Cruises through the Koala Park...and simply Brunch or Dinner cruises.
On Fisherman Island is located the Port of Brisbane...its major shipping port.
Only slightly more attractive at night.
Developed for functionality and not decoration, it facilitates more than 2600 ships a year and transports 28 million tonnes of cargo. 60% of all the coal mined at New Acland Mine is shipped through this port.
The New Acland Mine is an open-cut coal mine.
The mine has been developed in three stages...and opened in 2003, supplying both the Swanbank and Tarong Power Stations. The mine produced 4.2 million tonnes of coal a year.
During the 3rd stage of operations the entire population of the Township of Acland relocated except one man...which I found interesting
Glenn Beutal
Who called himself "the last man standing" in March of 2008.
The home was Glenn's first. Born to his parents (both deceased) on the property. Acland was where he lived and returned to throughout the years. One by one as his neighbors moved away, settling in nearby towns, the mine made offers for the property. He refused. Until, at last, only he remained.
In 2014 he battled on and won again. Sitting on 2 million dollars worth of coal he still refused to sell the homesite. He calls himself the guardian of the town's history.
The last Youtube I could find of Glenn was 2015...
https://youtu.be/cpc3ATi_nQM
When they came and literally used a flat-bed to truck the church away...
The last news I could find was another win in 2017
https://www.afr.com/business/how-new-hope-earned-its-acland-smackdown-20170601-gwiale
For now...although I can find nothing for 2018...I like to believe that Glenn is still looking over his beloved land and fighting the good fight.
A David...standing firm against Goliath.
More Anon...
Fun Fact: In Australia Burger King is called Hungry Jack's
