Saturday, June 04, 2005
Brisbane's city centre cycle paths
Took a fantastic cycle ride through the city centre today. It is a council policy to eventually open up pedestrian and cycle access along the both banks of the river from Queensland University to Hamilton.

Much of this is now done and a path winds through park after park and through some of Brisbane's famous landmark areas such as Kangaroo Cliffs, the Botanic Gardens, Riverside through the CBD and of course, Southbank.

Where private property extends down to the riverbanks the council has invested (dumb people would say wasted) millions of dollars in putting in boardwalks over the river, include the famous floating Riverwalk, extending about 1.5km in the New Farm Area.

We got as far east as New Farm Park, which features an amazing grove of Weeping Figs, where between the mass of knotted drop down buttress roots a children's play area has been constructed. Westwards we got to Highgate Hill and stopped in to watch the second half of a game at Souths Rugby League Club.

Lunch was eaten right in the heart of the city where the cycle track winds hugs the banks beneath huge skyscrapers. Our route also included cycling over the Story Bridge.

All in, we did about 25kms, taking in some of Brisbane CBD's best open space areas. It really is a credit to the city authorities (State and Council) that they have created these recreational opportunities throughout the city. We may pay a little more in taxes, but we really do get value for money. And cycling is a surprisingly great way of seeing a city that is mostly geared towards the private motor vehicle.

The map opens in a new window; the numbers related to where each photo was taken.

(Click thumbnails to open largers image.)

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