Sara Tendulkar finds serenity and adventure in her Queensland Sojourn

Time of India

3 days ago

For first-time visitors, Australia is a charming paradox, where glittering skylines meet raw, untouched landscapes. Picture farm-fresh produce, endless sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and a lifestyle that thrives outdoors. It's the perfect recipe for living the good life! Nowhere does this spirit shine brighter than in the Sunshine State of Australia. Bathed in golden sunlight 280 days each year and kissed by the warm Pacific breeze, Queensland has something for everyone!
It's no surprise that for
Sara
Tendulkar, a wellness enthusiast and globetrotter, this was the perfect holiday destination. An explorer at heart in search of mindful experiences, Sara decided to travel to
Queensland
, Australia with Singapore Airlines (SIA). With convenient connectivity that makes it the fastest way to reach
Brisbane
from India, choosing SIA was a no-brainer. With state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system loaded with the latest movies and TV shows, impeccable service, seats that recline into fully flat beds and the swanky SilverKris Lounge in Singapore, the journey goes by in a jiffy. As Sara explains, '[SIA's] in-flight entertainment is far superior to most others. A lot of the content was stuff I'd actually watch outside of a flight too, which isn't always the case with airline selections!'
Sara chose Queensland not just to unwind, but to soul surf, guided by someone who understands the landscape intimately: Brissie girl
Grace Hayden
, daughter of Australian cricket great Matthew Hayden. The two bonded over their mutual love for good food, wellness, and adventure. 'Grace has been the perfect host! It was like discovering the best-kept local secrets with a friend. Australia feels like a second home in many ways and discovering it on my own terms this time was special. I've always loved places that offer a bit of everything, nature, adventure, food, culture. I am a very spontaneous traveller. So having someone who knows the place but also rolls with the flow made the whole trip feel really organic,' says Sara.
Sara's Queensland experience was anything but ordinary. Every thrill, twist, and turn is carefully mapped out to showcase the destination's wild side. Her adventure kicked off with a ferry ride to the pristine shores of Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island, just off the Brisbane coast. The day was designed to showcase the region's natural beauty from every angle. The standout? A scenic helicopter ride above the ocean with a bird's-eye view of the coast and its aquamarine waters—complete with dolphins, sea turtles, and the haunting Tangalooma shipwrecks floating in crystalline waters. 'I couldn't believe how clear the water was—it felt surreal,' chimes Sara. Back on the ground, the thrills continued with her trying quad biking.
In Brisbane, Grace and Sara opted for the iconic Story Bridge Adventure Climb, a heart-thumping ascent that rewarded them with panoramic views of the city and the winding Brisbane River shining bright in the evening sky. Sara confesses, 'I was wondering if I'd be scared of heights but I wasn't—it was actually fun. It was beautiful getting a 360-degree view of the city during sunset. So, we got to see Brisbane in daylight, and then again as it lit up after dark from atop.'
Sara soared past fears on the Canyon
Flyer Zipline
in the Gold Coast and on the Story Bridge Climb in Brisbane. With their fill of Brisbane's bursting energy, the two made their way to Gold Coast, with a scenic drive up Mount Tamborine that led to another thrill: the
Canyon Flyer Zipline Tour
where Sara faced down her fear of heights on the Canyon Flyer Zipline. She soared through rainforest canopies, zipped over deep gorges and cliffs, and whizzed past gushing waterfalls, all under safe guidance.
The duo wrapped up their day with a quick drive up to Curtis Falls in a yellow
Mustang Convertible
. 'We were just cracking up the whole time. Grace is a great driver! The scenery was beautiful, with these tall trees lining the road. Grace planned it all so intuitively,' Sara explains.
Sara's culinary trail through Queensland was as adventurous as her itinerary with every bite curated to surprise. 'I love Japanese and Asian food, but I'll try anything once, and this place had it all. I think I tried more food in a week than I have in a month,' she laughs.
In Brisbane, she dove straight into the city's buzzing food scene at Howard Smith Wharves, a lively riverfront precinct tucked beneath the Story Bridge with 13 waterfront restaurants, open-air breweries, and spectacular city views. The ladies soaked up the views at the multi-awarded Felons Brewing Co, as the river lit up in neon hues; while another evening they found themselves at Ciao Papi. At Greca, they fell in love with the Mediterranean-inspired Greek dishes that were perfect for brunch.
To further experience Brisbane's playful culinary side, Sara visited Eat Street Northshore, a night market built from shipping containers. This bustling area is a riot of flavours, brought alive with fairy lights, and live music. From pizza to sushi, cookies to ice cream—there's something for every kind of taste bud!
For the perfect beach side dining experience in Gold Coast, Sara headed to Siblings Kirra, perched right by the iconic Kirra Beach. With breezy interiors and an impressive wine list, the standouts were the Prawn and Bug Meat Risotto, the pan-seared market fish and a perfectly cooked Angus steak.
Queensland's charm is not just in its adventures and flavours, but in its scenic cityscapes—each one offering a fresh perspective of this vibrant region. In the heart of the city, Sara explored its creative veins. In Fish Lane—a forgotten alley reinvented into a buzzing arts and dining hub, she found herself one quiet morning, sipping coffee against the backdrop of ever-evolving street art. A short drive away,
James Street
unveiled another layer of Brisbane's chic, fashion-forward side lined with some of the city's best restaurants. 'Brisbane surprised me. It's so artistic and outdoorsy at the same time,' notes Sara.
The Star Grand Brisbane
, is another great pick for a panoramic view. Sara visited the
Sky Dec
k, 100 metres above the bustling CBD, with an expansive viewing deck where Brisbane unfurls in every direction—bridges, buildings, rivers and ranges bathed in twilight hues.
To reconnect with her childhood nostalgia, Grace also took Sara to Warner Bros. Movie World in Gold Coast. 'Grace told me her dad was an ambassador for Warner Bros. about 10 years ago, so she visited as a child. Now, coming back with me as an adult—it's kind of special. It's been nice seeing things from her perspective, revisiting places she loved growing up, but now experiencing them together in a different way.' From riding the heart-racing DC Rivals HyperCoaster to taking selfies with Bugs Bunny, Superman, and the Wizard of Oz cast, it was a day of cinematic magic. 'I love roller coasters! The HyperCoaster did get me a bit nervous at first. But the moment I sat on it, I was completely fine. I love adrenaline rushes,' she admits.
From island skies to hidden laneways, Queensland revealed its many faces to Sara Tendulkar. But if she had to pick a favourite? 'If I had to pick one place where I see myself living long-term, it would be Gold Coast because I love the beach,' she signs off.
Getting there: Singapore Airlines (SIA) operates direct flights to Brisbane via Singapore. The overall travel duration, including the layover, is approximately 15 hours. There are 92 weekly flights from eight major cities connecting India and Singapore. Currently there are 25 weekly flights between Singapore and Brisbane, which will be expanded to 28 flights from June 14, 2025.
Catch the film
here
.