Tangalooma Island Resort

Only a mere 75 minutes by Ferry from Brisbane city, this island resort is exactly that. Here you can be drinking cocktails whilst basking in the glow of a tropical island sunset, feeling like you’re a thousand miles from home. It really is that good.

Sunset over South East Qld

Who would believe that over on the horizon, is the bustling metropolis of Brisbane! Here you really are a world away from the daily grind of life, sinking your toes into the crisp white sand, crystal blue water rolling gently nearby, whilst you stroll the lengthy beaches.

View from the main restaurant balcony

Activities available through the resort, range from free eco information talks on the local wildlife, through to quad bikes, snorkelling, helicopter rides and para sailing. Then of course there is hand feeding of the wild dolphins, a nightly ritual you will have the pleasure of attending once, should your accommodation have this inclusion. If you’re into activities whilst on holiday, there is definitely no reason to be bored here.

MiCat Vehicle Ferry arrives

Moreton Island itself, has the option of bringing your own 4WD if you would like to explore more of the island. There are numerous camping and other accommodation options spread over the island, for those not wanting the resort lifestyle. Keep in mind though, all the extra circular activities available through Tangalooma, are only available to guests of Tangalooma Resort.

The vehicle ferry departs from a different Brisbane wharf, to the Holt Street passenger ferry. Arriving onto the beach near the wrecks, the vehicle ferry drops a ramp for the drivers to exit their vehicles. Resort visitor and other foot passengers can travel on this ferry too, but you need to cart your luggage down to the resort, if that’s where you are staying, as there is no service between the two.

Kookaburras pose against the sunset

Accommodation at the resort, ranges from budget rooms and standard hotel rooms through to apartment style living. There is something to suit all budgets and tastes.

Standard hotel room with ensuite bathroom

The hub of the resort is the reception, bar, restaurant complex. An ideal place to meet for catch ups through the day or chill out at any time. Staff were helpful and willing to answer queries or assist wherever they could. Food quality was overall high, with some delicious options available.

Buffet BBQ (served by staff)

A general store exists too, close to the wharf where you disembark or catch the ferry. Next to this the photo shop and the interesting and informative Eco Centre.

View from the ferry towards Tangalooma Island Resort

Brisbane is lucky to witness some incredible sunrises with glimpses of beautiful sunsets at times too. From the resort, you can witness some amazing sunsets, as look across the bay to Brisbane and Sunshine Coast areas. The view from this direction is truely a wonderful experience.

An oil painting like sunset

Be sure to book your visit in advance, as the resort is a popular place. The option is there for day trips too, but consider taking a bit more time so you can witness everything this stunning location has to offer. Especially if you’re wanting to hand feed the wild dolphins, this is a night time experience only which is included with certain accommodation bookings, ranging from the standard hotel room. This is not an experience which can be purchased on its own.

Even on an overcast day, the view is still beautiful

Might see you there one day!

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Flame Hill Vineyard

Stunning lunch view

Nestled on the mountain, just behind Montville Township, is the superb Flame Hill Vineyard. Stop by for a tasting, enjoy a meal overlooking the vines, watch as the chooks wander around the vineyard. Over in the distance you will see the occasional vehicle, otherwise, you are surrounded by pure country air and rolling green.

On the day we visited, Mr Rooster was busily rounding up those feathered escapees who insisted on wandering further afield, than he felt was allowable. None of the chooks were particularly bothered, ignoring his insistent squawking, whilst they continued to do their own thing.

Chooks and Vines co-exist

Food was deliciously fresh, well presented, with staff pleasant and unobtrusive.

Tasty Charcuterie Board

This venue has all the elements for a relaxing visit. Sit back, drink in the incredible vista rolling as far as the eye can see. Peace, serenity and relaxation envelop you. If you don’t leave here with less stress than when you arrived, perhaps you need to stay longer.

Steak anyone?

Take some time to enjoy what this vineyard has on offer. Perhaps stay locally a night or two. There are many incredible options for a quick break away, in this Sunshine Coast Hinterland area. Highly recommend the nearby Misty View Cottages for a romantic couples retreat.

Wine on vines

Be sure to stop by, it’s an easy day trip from Brisbane, or a wonderful get away destination. Cheers!

Very cool garden feature

Lake Moogerah & Kalbar, Queensland

We have been lucky in Queensland to have the opportunity to explore our state, whilst other states unfortunately stay locked down.

Lake Moogerah

Whilst we have this opportunity, it is important to support businesses and areas who are struggling to return after hurting badly from shutdowns. And there are a lot in the outer regions who need support.

Lake Moogerah

Our recent car club run out to the stunning Lake Moogerah area, in the picturesque Scenic Rim, was a fantastic opportunity to visit this corner of Queensland. Located above Fassifern Valley, around 60km from the city of Ipswich , the Moogerah Dam and Lake areas are a popular recreational area

Clear waters, directly behind the dam wall

The odd jet ski, or boat, occasionally shot around the Lake, with a number of campers and day trippers enjoying the extra land surface, given the low water levels on the lake.

Moogerah is derived from Moogirah, which is the Aboriginal word for ‘Home of the Thunderstorm’. The 38 metre high, 219 metre long dam, supplies areas beneath, including Boonah and Ipswich.

Water rushes from the dam spillway

With plenty of parking, shaded areas and seating, social distancing is not a problem out here. A kiosk supplies a few basic essentials to save a trip further afield. We didn’t check out the camping areas, bu they do have a camp kitchen and choices of powered or non-powered sites.

Take a walk across the dam wall, which is the accessway to Moogerah Peaks National Park, home to Mount Edwards.

Picturesque mountains surround the lake area.

After enjoying the beautiful surroundings, we headed to a local iconic pub, the Royal Hotel, Kalbar.

The large deck area at the Royal Hotel, Kalbar

Popular with locals, day trippers and tourists alike, the original hotel was established in1900.

Food was good quality pub fare, with plenty on the plate. Staff were kept busy serving customers

All in a all a fantastic way to close an enjoyable morning out.

On a more somber note, after witnessing a severe traffic accident when homeward bound, a reminder to please drive safely, no matter how close to home you are or, how far away those accidents still occur in a split second. Drive safely and stay aware of your surroundings.

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Farm House, Kedron

Most Brisbanites, particularly those familiar with the Northside, will remember Farmer Joes produce store, which sadly closed its doors in 2009, to make way for the new road associated with the Airport Link Tunnel. Farm House is a tribute to Farmer Joes, using farm fresh, quality foods for their busy venue.

Have a bubbly brunch if you like, there’s alcoholic drinks, as well as coffees on the menu.

Like the majority of venues at the moment, you need to book in advance and you may be time limited. Weekends are exceptionally busy, so plan well ahead to ensure you secure a spot.

Order and pay with your phone

Farm House gives you a couple of ordering options. There’s the traditional method of presenting at the counter, or, order and pay from your phone whilst seated, if you do not wish to mingle.

We trialled the phone ordering system, which in itself is a great concept, but, unfortunately the internet is a bit slow in the area. If you’re patient you will be fine, if not, suggest you order the traditional way to save any frustration.

Freshness simply oozes from the plate

Meals were delivered quickly, much quicker than we anticipated. All were fresh as promised, nicely presented and perfectly tasty.

Fruit and flowers present beautifully

The staff definitely deserve a mention, if not more. All were friendly, helpful and more than willing to do their best to accommodate. At no point did you feel like you were in their way. They welcomed all patrons with open arms.

Now that’s a brunch!

This is a busy corner of the world, but most definitely still worth a visit. Next time, we might try a weekday to avoid the crowds of people. Be sure to give them a try, the rustic surroundings are appealing and relaxing. Couple this with the delightfully fresh food and service, you now have a winning combination!

More photos are posted on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow Dine Live Travel on all platforms, as you never know where we will be next. Stay safe everyone!

Pullman King George Square – Brisbane

We live in a different world now, with 2020 delivering a sharp reminder to us all, that at the end of the day, we are human, we are vulnerable.

A time for reflection

Lockdowns completed, with restrictions on everyone’s lifestyle, beginning to ease in Queensland, it was time to start venturing out and try to make sense of our new world. After weeks at home, we treated ourselves to a night for an anniversary celebration.

Having never stayed at the Pullman King George Square, we decided to give it a test run, and we were not disappointed. Staff here were fantastic, friendly and very helpful. Hospitality staff have not had it easy over the past few months and it was great to see them smiling and carrying on their work professionally.

Fresh, clean and relaxing at Goldfinch Restaurant

After being treated to an early check in, we headed downstairs to the Goldfinch restaurant for an enjoyable lunch. Spacious, airy vibes greeted us, along with the wonderful staff, as we were seated next to an huge windows. Our view was of King George Square, with a constant moving canvas outside as everyone went about their business.

Little Gem Salad
Antipasti

Remember, anywhere you wish to dine now, you should book in advance and don’t be surprised if you are time limited. We were lucky here as the expansive area easily catered to the number of diners at that particular time. You still need to sign in, so that your party can be traced should there be any outbreaks of Covid.

View from Sixteen Antlers

After a break in between venues, we headed up to our booking at the rooftop bar, Sixteen Antlers. The Mercure and Pullman share all of these areas, which includes the pool, gym, Goldfinch and Sixteen Antlers. The rooftop bar is a very popular area so you will be time limited to 2 hours during current climate.

One night off a full moon rising

As the sun set in the West, we were treated to the rising of an almost full moon to the East. The corner table we had been allocated was perfect for viewing. Enjoying cocktails, and an evening beverage, this was a fantastic space to sit and wile away some time.

Sixteen Antlers Rooftop Bar

As the evening progressed, more patrons began to enter the popular venue. This was also at a time where you could not approach the bar, so friendly staff will seat you in one place, ensuring they are then attentive to your needs.

Reflections on the moon rising

This venue really is worth a visit, remember to book well in advance, as it is very popular.

Thank you to all the staff, we very much enjoyed our stay and the special gift in our room as well as the upgrade, was very much appreciated for our celebration night away.

Executive Room at Pullman King George Square

We look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Further photos are available on Dine Live Travel Instagram and Facebook. Thank you for your interest, it’s been fantastic to start moving around again, as our restrictions ease!

Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments

Located in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley area, Alex Perry Hotel & Apartments provides an ideal venue option on the outskirts of the inner city.Here you have the option of a studio room, one or two bedroom apartments. Rooms are spacious, with plenty of comfort on offer. If you’re planning a longer stay, the full sized fridge, spacious kitchen with plenty of storage and utensils supplied, will be perfect for your own in house catering.Storage has been well thought out here, with plenty in the bedroom plus a full laundry stored behind a large folding door, in the bathroom.Muted decor is accentuated with splashes of rich gold and black creating an opulent feel without being over the top.A private balcony off the lounge, gives you a choice of indoor or outdoor space to relax in. The gold and black theme is continued throughout.Even the carpet in the lift continues the colour theme!

A bonus here too, is the onsite, undercover parking, a very reasonable $12 per night.

But, the jewel on the crown, is the well thought out rooftop area. Complete with pool, barbeues and shaded or open seating, its a fabulous place to chill out or catchup with family and friends also staying at the complex.

Across the road from the complex, is an array of shops and food options. The menu displayed in the room, is for Buzz Bistro Emporium. We chose this venue for an early breakfast. Quality meals and service, definitely worth a visit.

The savoury mince above very tasty, not spicy and easy to consume.

Keep the apartment complex in mind should you need some accommodation options in this part of the city. Sometimes its nice to be just out of the city itself. The rooms all presented well, being clean and tidy. For a shorter or longer stay, youre sure to find Alex Perry’s will meet your needs. Remember to follow Dine Live Travel on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, for further photos and information.

Royal Rajputana – Fitzgibbon Chase

Royal Rajputana has just turned one year old. Part of the Fitzgibbon Chase community shops, this is an innovative venue, bringing city style to the suburbs.

Rajputana means “Land of Rajputs”. This was an area in India which included some of the modern day Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan as well as parts of Sindh in southern Pakistan, covering a total of around 343 thousand square kilometres.

The Rajput race is considered the proudest and most noble race in India. Hence the inclusion of Royal in the name.

If you are seeking a good Indian curry, spiced to your taste, then you’ve come to right place.From butter chicken through to vegetarian or meat, the extensive menu is catering for a majority of tastes. Saffron rice was light, fluffy and very aromatic, making for an awesome accompaniment to your choice of curry.

All food was well presented, fresh, tasty and definitely a winner for our group. Prices are not expensive for the meal quality delivered. Those Naan breads too, very tasty!

The atmosphere is casual relaxed, with a good sprinkle of quality. Service is attentive, friendly as well as being focused on making sure you are comfortable, relaxed and enjoying your experience.

Water is plentiful, refilled regularly, whilst the well stocked bar provides for your wine or non/alcoholic preference.Take some time to stop by. Have a chat, watch the world go by and enjoy some good quality Indian cuisine.

Maybe we will see you there? Remember to follow Dine Live Travel on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and snapchat to stay updated. You never know where we will be!

Stellarossa – Aspley

A relative newbie to the Robinson Road complex, Stellarossa is a surprisingly large cafe, with an equally surprising, menu.

Prices are reasonable and the food, is nicely presented, in generous portions.

Savoury mince can even be added as a side, and trust me, it is worth it.

The cafe is clean tidy and expansive, with a number of table choices. Staff always appear friendly, helpful, aiming to make your experience a pleasant one.

This is another cafe born from a passion for good coffee, flavours and service. From what we have experienced so far, they do seem to have incorporated all of those into this venue.

Ok I’m not a coffee drinker, but Hubby was more than happy with his coffee choice. There is a small tea selection and a number of other drink choices for the non-coffee drinkers amongst us.A great way to kickstart your day with one of the all day breakfast choices, or choose from burgers, sandwiches or general cafe food.

These guys support a great cause too, assisting in raising funds for the PA Research Foundation. This foundation helps to bring research projects to the lab, and on to becoming patient trials for those in need.

The Robinson Road complex is a great little shopping area, housing a few of the essential shops, without having to go to a bigger centre.

Stop in when you’re shopping and give this cafe a try. It certainly is worth it.

French & Mor, Albany Creek

Tucked at the end of a group of shops, in a quiet area of surburbia, is a surprisingly cool French inspired cafe.Book high tea in advance, take your own bubbles, for a mere $2 cover charge, then relax whilst the wonderful friendly staff cater to your every need.Crockery was embossed with an interesting design, complementing the chunky wooden table. Even sugar had transformed as cute cubes with silver tongs. The little details do make a difference, with effort made here to include attention to detail.At $41 per head, this high tea was definitely very good value. Great idea for a birthday gift too!

Once seated, peruse the drinks menu to decide on your beverage choice. The coffee drinker can choose two coffees, not delivered at the same time, whilst tea lovers have an interesting selection of teas to choose from.Should you require an additional coffee or tea, this is only an extra $2. Very reasonable.

French flavour oozes from the menu, from baguette to delightfully intricate petite fours and sweets.For those who have allergies, which may be affected by the ingredients, French & Mor makes sure you do not feel left out. Indulge in your very own two tiered high tea, designed to ensure you are served only what is safe for you to eat.

The selection is quite impressive, and this is the two tier designed just for one person!

First up, some beautifully fresh bread chicken, tomato and cucumber sandwiches, which literally melted in the mouth. Pausing to savour the mini sandwiches, it was then time to indulge in the beef baguette, again wonderfully fresh, pairing well with the horseradish creme, which had a hint of mustard seeping through. Nothing overpowering, but some fantastic separate flavours there to enjoy.

Grissini and charcoal wafer thin crackers followed, dipped in tasty beetroot hummus.

Already you discover you’ve beaten the hunger pains. These tasty morsels are actually a lot more filling than they appear!

Those petit fours were to follow, with the selection of desserts the last remaining items to be consumed.Dainty French macaron which literally dissolved perfectly in your mouth was the first dessert on the plate. A myriad of flavours followed with raspberry purée and peppermint pana cotta. Both strong dominating flavours, bringing an end to this most enjoyable high tea.

Keep this one up your sleeve for somewhere as a surprise gift or just to be that little bit special. There is a normal cafe menu to if you would like to check it out first. Just remember to contact the friendly, helpful staff and organise your high tea in advance.

Dine Live Travel now provides a service to organise many types of functions, surprises or anything you require assistance to plan. Our network is vast and we are not affiliated to any other business. All your quotes will be fair and equitable. Contact via email dinelivetravel@yahoo.com.au or message our our many platforms including Instagram, Pinterest and facebook. Looking forward to assisting you!

Shorncliffe Pier

With a history dating back to the 1800’s, the Shorncliffe Pier has been rebuilt and revamped over the years. Most recently reopening on Good Friday, 2016.

The 351.5 metres of wooden pier, stretches out into Bramble Bay, making it, not only the longest wooden pier in Brisbane, one of the longest in Australia, but also, a very impressive structure.

Locals and visitors alike are drawn to the Pier. Photographers love the sunrise opportunities offered by the area. Dogs play with their owners on the beach or frolic in the gentle waves, walkers, joggers, cyclists, fishermen, and children make great use of what this family orientated piece of greater Brisbane.

Shelters housing chunky wooden tables and benches, down near the end of the Pier provide a nice resting place for families to stop and wile away some time. If you’re fishing, then you are well provided for with steel stations along the pier for cleaning your catch before heading home.

Brisbane is home to a widely diverse selection of recreation areas. This white washed structure, connecting the local area to the bay is definitely one worth visiting. The views around here are stunning, with Redcliffe and its connecting bridges, Moreton Island and the Port of Brisbane all visible from the Pier.

Posts visible at low tide, remain from the days of the swimming bath which adjourned the Pier. An amusement park was also on the shore in days gone by, now replaced with picnic shelters and playground.

One of the shelters on this particular day, was being utilised by a static cycle class. With a large trailer full of static cycles unloaded into the shelter, class participants then carried out their class under instruction from their trainer, all the while having a stunning vista ahead of them.

Take some time to head our to the Pier, its a highly popular area, especially on weekends, with some annual activities taking place too. The long table fine dining event is highly popular and fills up fast each year, whilst the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race, starts from here on Good Friday, each year.

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