Cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - How adventurous are you?

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) follows an old rail corridor from Yarraman to Ipswich in south-east Queensland. At 161 km, it is Australia's longest rail trail beating the Great Victorian Rail Trail and the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail by almost 30 and 50 kms respectively. Queenslanders like to do things differently however so if you head up to the BVRT for a bit of spring cycling with the idea that the trail will be just like its easy-riding Victorian counterparts only longer, you are in for a shock.

Swooping Magpies: Surviving the Mad Magpie of Toogoolawah!

Talk to an American or a Brit or almost anyone else about Australia and the conversation inevitably comes around to animals. Not the cute ones, like koalas and wombats and baby kangaroos, but the ones out to get you - the deadly ones.  There is no denying this country has its fair share of dangerous creatures. Google 'the most venomous snakes in the world' and there are bound to be a few Australian natives on the list. Then there is the world's most deadly bird, the beautiful but very cranky cassowary; one of the world's most dangerous spiders, the Sydney funnel web; the lovely to look at but deadly to touch blue ringed octopus and the infamous Irukandji jellyfish. The funny thing though is that nobody ever mentions the animal Australia is most afraid of, the creature which sends grown adults into paroxysms of dread with a single flap of its wings, the springtime terror of southern skies - the Australian swooping magpie.

Whales in Paradise - Whale Watching on Australia's Gold Coast

Every year from April to November humpback whales turn the east coast of Australia into a whale migration super highway. In the southern hemisphere's summer humpbacks gorge themselves on krill in the waters off Antarctica, then as winter approaches they head north on a 10,000 kilometre journey. The females give birth in the warm sub-tropical waters before returning to their feeding grounds in Antarctica. This makes Australia's east coast a world class venue for whale watching. Combine that with a near perfect winter climate and south-east Queensland must be one of the best places on the planet to see these magnificent creatures.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Cairns to Kuranda

Far North Queensland conjures up images of white sand beaches, coral and tropical islands but not far back from the coast you will find one of the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on the planet. Barron Gorge National Park is home to a World Heritage listed tropical rainforest, and there is no more stunning way to see it than from above - on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is 40 minutes north of Cairns in Far North Queensland. We have just boarded a boat for a twenty-five minute lagoon cruise. The murky water is swarming with massive, prehistoric-looking monsters: saltwater crocodiles, the largest living reptiles on the planet. The safety briefing is short, sweet and sparks a muffled chorus of nervous laughter.

"If you look under your seats you will find there are no life vests. The reason is obvious."

Several crocs notice our presence and swim silently toward us. Luckily our boat has a solid, unsinkable feel to it.

The Great Barrier Reef Luxury Island Resorts: Lizard Island , Bedarra Island and Qualia.

Does anyone remember when Oprah Winfrey came to Australia a few years ago? She was here to promote Australian tourism and as part of her trip she was taken to Qualia. Qualia has been named the best resort in Australia from time to time and it is nice - but I've always thought that 'best resort' is something which can't be pinned down. It is a very subjective thing. A few nights of pure heaven for one person may be absolute torture for another.

D and I are fortunate. We have been not only to Qualia but also to Lizard Island and Bedarra, two of the other luxury resorts on the Great Barrier Reef. I preface this by saying they are all very expensive but if you are thinking of visiting the reef and doing it in luxury then your choice will include these three. All of them are lovely, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. I hope our experiences can help you choose between them.

Cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Moore to Linville and Blackbutt

Location - Sth-east Queensland, Australia
Ride - Moore through Linville and then toward Blackbutt
Distance - 34.2 km
Terrain - Combined cycling, hiking, horse riding track
Difficulty - Mostly flat and fairly easy.
Highlights - The 'off the beaten track' charm of Linville

Cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Pt 2

Location - Sth-east Queensland, Australia
Ride - Lowood.
Distance - 25 km
Terrain - Quiet country back roads
Difficulty - Flat and easy.
Highlights - The wonderful winter weather

Cycling at Surfers Paradise

Location - Sth-east Queensland, Australia
Ride - Surfers Paradise going north
Distance - 32.5 km
Terrain - Flat, bike path separated from the roadway.
Difficulty - Easy.
Highlights - Oysters for afternoon tea looking out over the Pacific

Cycling at Manly, Qld

Location - Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Ride - Wynnum to Lota
Distance - 21 km
Terrain - Flat, bike path separated from the roadway.
Difficulty - Dead easy.
Highlights - A cafe lunch at Manly looking out over the marina.

Cycling on Bribie Island, Qld

Location - Sth-east Queensland, Australia
Ride - Along the seaside at Bribie Island.
Distance - 27.3 km
Terrain - Flat, bike path separated from the roadway.
Difficulty - Dead easy.
Highlights - The view out across the Pumicestone Passage

Cycling in Redcliffe, Qld

Location - Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Ride - Scarborough to Shorncliffe
Distance - 40.8 km round trip
Terrain - Flat, bike path separated from the roadway.
Difficulty - Dead easy but don't forget the wind - a tailwind out and a headwind home just isn't fun.
Highlights - The picturesque Scarborough boat harbour, a stop for lunch at Woody Point and the chance you just might see a whale.

Cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Fernvale to Lowood

Location - Sth-east Queensland, Australia
Ride: Fernvale to Lowood, QLD
Distance: 29.9 km
Terrain: Compacted dirt.
Difficulty: Tough - recent rain turned much of the trail to mud.
Highlights: Just being out in the countryside.