14 hours ahead.

Our trusty steel bird landed us safely in Brisbane, Australia July 1st at 6:10 am. Our total trip mileage was 15,000. If you would like to come visit us while we are here click this link for directions.

We were greeted by sunny skies, a cool breeze and a pleasant 70 degrees despite the claims by the locals that we arrived in winter.

In addition to our arrival the 1st of July marked Pia's Nanna's 89th Birthday. We celebrated with an Aussie BBQ and fruitcake.

We visited with a few of Australia's cuddliest creatures.

And some of the fastest.

And hung out a bit.

Next up was a trip around Brisbane via the river on the City Cat which is part of the public transportation system.

Brisbane's Central Business District.

The cultural center of Brisbane along with a ferris wheel.

We visited Noosa's national park, the northern most area of the Sunshine Coast, and went for a bit of a hike, swim and a picnic. It was a beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed a relax.

We stopped to check out the view at Boiling Pot Point, a point that juts out giving everyone fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.

We then decided to head inland for a few days to check out an area known as the Granite Belt. It is famous for wineries, large boulders of granite and consistently having the coldest temperatures in the state of Queensland. One brochure even boasted that visitors could even occasionally experience a snow fall.

While wine tasting we met a local.

On our way to the Granite Belt we travelled through the Great Dividing Range.

We visited Girraween National Park which is known for it's beautiful display of the area's namesake, granite.

We climbed to the top of the Pyramid, well almost to the top. Our knowledge of gravity left us with little desire to climb through the last and steepest section.

With our backs to the Pyramid we were greeted by the valley.

Once back in Brisbane we went to the West End Markets. The markets are held every Saturday morning with over 100 vendors selling everything from produce to freshly made breakfasts to clothing. It was a great way to see a local part of Brisbane life.

Pia's cousin using the excuse of the Markets to have a yard sale.

Family photo.