Sept 2-8 2017 a quick getaway
http://patschafer.com/2017_Brisbane_O'Reilly's/
Saturday Sept 2
We left Sydney on Virgin bound for Brisbane. After landing we took the train to the Sofitel which just happens to be right at the station. We checked in around mid-day. Our Club room was a lovely 2-room suite / not sure if this was what we booked or an upgrade. In any case we dropped into the restaurant for a shared sandwich (at half price thanks to Accor Advantage) washed down with our free welcome drink.
We spent the afternoon walking around the waterfront checking out restaurants. Then it was back to our suite for showers and a visit to the Club Lounge for happy hour (5-7pm) complimentary drinks and canapés. We had dinner at the Sofitel fine dining restaurant.
Sunday Sept 3 (Father’s Day)
After breakfast in the Club we spent the day exploring Brisbane on foot - being Father’s Day all restaurants were very busy so we stopped at a river front bar for a snack and a drink.
Late afternoon it was back to the hotel for showers, Club Lounge happy hour then a light meal in the hotel bar for dinner.
Monday Sept 4
We had a repeat of the previous day and decided we probably stayed in Brisbane one day too long but the weather was lovely and we did lots of walking.
Tuesday Sept 5
It was off bright and early to O’Reilly’s in Lamington National Park. We stopped at a very disappointing Coles to shop for groceries as we had rented a villa at O’Reilly’s and planned to do most of our own cooking. As it came to pass we only ended up with enough for 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner - oh well.
We arrived at O’Reilly’s around mid-day and were able to check-in right away. So we settled into our very nice villa, had a sambo then went out for a short(-ish) walk - the tree top walk. The weather was sunny but a little cooler than we thought it would be - around 21℃. We stayed in for a steak dinner.
Wednesday Sept 6
It was really cold overnight and in the morning. After breakfast we did a 2-hour morning walk - then back to the villa for lunch. In the afternoon we did another even longer walk getting back at sunset. Just in time for sundowners on our deck followed by dinner at the lodge. The restaurant was very expensive without the quality to match - ah well it was OK.
Thursday Sept 7
It was really a repeat of Wednesday - a couple of long walks then dinner at the lodge.
Friday Sept 8
It was off home today - we left O’Reilly’s at 9:30am and arrived at Brisbane airport more than 2 hours before our 2:30pm flight to Sydney. We had snacks in lieu of lunch in the Virgin Lounge. We were back at home around 5:30pm and went for dinner at Fish on the Rocks.http://patschafer.com/2017_Brisbane_O'Reilly's/