Latest news with #LonePineKoalaSanctuary
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Taking a punch to the guts from Sonny Bill Williams, a sunrise kayak tour of Sydney harbour... and a Roar & Uncut 600-mile replacement bus
Nik and Kev's gonzo Lions tour adventures continued as they touched down on Australia's east coast. From sleeper trains to presidential suites overlooking Sydney 's Opera House – oh, and stepping into the boxing ring with Sonny Bill Williams – there has been plenty to write home about. Here is what the guys got up to in the second episode of Roar & Uncut, in association with Dr Squatch. MONDAY Ahead of his heavyweight fight against Paul Gallen next week, Sonny Bill Williams put us through our paces at the Opetaia Boxing Club on the Gold Coast. 'Don't worry about technique, this is all about heart,' he told us. After a couple of sweaty rounds on the bags, I agreed to take to take a punch in the guts from one of sport's greatest specimens. Safe to say we earned our fish and chips down at the local seafood market, before bedding down at the Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre, by IHG for some well-earned rest. TUESDAY The guys at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary invited us to see some adorable Australian wildlife. There were kangaroos, dingoes, birds of prey and, of course, koalas. Billie Eilish and Pink have taken time to visit the nature hotspot on their world tours so we were in good company. We got up close and personal with a koala as he was feeding on eucalyptus leaves, before dashing back into town for the Lions' captain's run! WEDNESDAY Game day in Brisbane as the Lions maintained their unbeaten run on tour, with a victory over the Queensland Reds. We went for a pre-match run along the banks of the Brisbane River, where new skyscrapers are popping up every month in preparation for the 2031 Olympic Games. THURSDAY Having grown used to the highlife through our partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, the guys left behind their life of luxury for a night on the sleeper train, travelling from Brisbane to Sydney. Due to strong winds, part of the track was out of action, meaning we spent most of the 600-mile overnight journey on a replacement bus. The travel disruptions meant there was no food left in the buffet carriage but somehow we found a way to get a pizza delivered for a very quick stop on the platform at Coffs Harbour. FRIDAY We arrived at the spectacular InterContinental Sydney, located in the old Treasury building, overlooking the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens. IHG are accommodating the Lions over the next few weeks and their Sydney showstopper has been home to famous guests over the years, such as Angelina Jolie, Cher and Barack Obama. Somehow, we talked their way into the hotel's Presidential Opera Suite, lapping up the five-star grandeur with panoramic views and enjoying our own piano! The team at Destination NSW pulled out all the stops to welcome the travelling media into town, throwing a memorable dinner in the historic Long Bar at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Sydney will stage the Ashes later this year and Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg popped along to remind everyone that England have not won the urn since 2015. SATURDAY Setting their alarms for 6am on a beautiful winter morning, the guys were taken on a sunrise tour of the harbour by the team at Sydney by Kayak. The water shimmered like a mirror under the pink skies; enjoyed with a flat-white out on the water. As well as learning about the famous residents who have lived in the harbour – such Nicole Kidman, John Travolta and Russel Crowe - the guide also showed some of their conversation projects, including the living seawall boulders they have installed to home wildlife. Roar & Uncut comes to you in association with Dr Squatch, ensuring Nik and Kev are the best-smelling guys on tour.
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- News.com.au
Brisbane is the family holiday destination we've all been sleeping on
Whether you're seeking sun over the cooler months or after an action-packed itinerary, a Queensland getaway is a no-brainer for anyone planning a family holiday. But while a couple of popular hotspots typically come to mind – the nation's theme park capital on the Gold Coast, luxe and laid-back Noosa, and the natural wonders of the tropical far north – there's an even more obvious destination too many of us have been sleeping on. Having spent my first two decades living in the state's capital, I never imagined Brisbane would be high on my list when it came to booking my first proper family holiday with kids in tow. But it turns out I, and plenty others, have been overlooking an ideal family holiday spot. The city is known for its year-round stunning weather and laid-back vibes, but its best-kept secret is how much more it has to offer when it comes to things to do. And for any parent of young kids, the secret to a successful family holiday – and ironically the only way to relax on one – is to pack in as many activities as possible. Leaving for a trip to the sunshine state's capital during the most recent school holidays with my two- and four-year-old, I was almost nervous looking at our itinerary and seeing how much we had jammed in. But it turns out, keeping busy is the ultimate holiday hack. In only a three-night stay, we managed to meet koalas and other wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, TV stars at Bluey's World, visit a museum and multiple play centres, enjoy a classic high tea, dine at trendy restaurants, check out the sights of two neighbouring cities, and somehow also had time to relax and enjoy the offerings of the five-star Westin hotel in Brisbane's CBD. While we didn't ward off the tantrums completely (see attempted fine-dining experience below), packing the schedule with easily accessible activities and attractions kept everyone occupied and entertained, gave us plenty to talk and laugh about, and even wore out the kids enough to give us a real break. What to do in Brisbane The city's star attraction at the moment is without doubt the epic immersive experience that is Bluey's World, which has now extended its run until February next year. The kids' cartoon turned global pop culture phenomenon was born (and is set) in Brisbane, and even the drive to the attraction in the riverside suburb of Hamilton – past landmarks featured in the show and quaint Queenslanders in which the Heeler family would right be at home – feels like part of the experience. Bluey's World is a big hit for the kids, obviously, but the stunning detail of the set and emotive storytelling that goes into the immersive journey through the replica Heeler house is enough to pull at any adults' heartstrings as well. From one cultural icon to another, our next day's outing at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was just as much of a hit. Having set aside only a couple of hours, we ended up spending most of the day there starting with a 'Koala Moment' encounter, which allows visitors to get up close and even pat a koala while capturing the encounter on your own device. The following hours were spent feeding kangaroos, marvelling at crocs and reptiles, and cooing at baby barn animals, as well as taking advantage of the animal sanctuary's multiple dining options to keep us going. Of course, it wouldn't be a trip with kids without a few disruptions and mishaps along the way. After a smooth experience at trendy yet family-friendly CBD restaurant Cantina on night one, our attempt at upgrading to family fine dining was a decided fail. Even with a 5pm sitting at the hotel's Settimo restaurant, fellow early diners would have agreed the sophisticated Italian diner wasn't an ideal setting for a wired preschooler and wiped-out toddler after an action-packed day. Luckily, after dining in shifts and whisking the children from the restaurant and off to bed in our adjoining rooms, we were able to take advantage of the hotel's epic room service offering, enjoying the restaurant's signature tiramisu dessert, along with a cocktail, in the five-star comfort of our suite. What to do in Ipswich Under an hour's drive west from Brisbane is Queensland's oldest provincial city, which has recently had a facelift. After a morning at the Queensland Museum Rail Workshops, we visited Ipswich's revamped city centre. The transformed Nicholas St Precinct has turned the area into a lively dining and entertainment hub, while maintaining its historical charm. The over-a-century-old pub, Hotel Commonwealth, is a great example of this, holding onto its cosiness and character after a 2024 redevelopment that saw it fitted out with a cocktail bar, beer garden, multi-storey dining options and function spaces. Also in the new precinct are a number of entertainment venues for all ages and interests. Again, we spent hours longer than expected at both the Mini Bounce play centre and neighbouring General Public, which caters to a slightly older crowd and features bowling, arcade games and, conveniently, a bar and diner. While we didn't stay in Ipswich or its surrounds on this trip, boutique farmstay Linning's House at Twigley Farm is on the list for another school holiday adventure, as is the Llama Farm in nearby Pine Mountain. What to do in Logan Just over half an hour south of Brisbane is Logan, yet another nearby city which features stunning bush scenery alongside urban convenience, and the most epic indoor playground I've ever come across. Area 51 is an adventurous kid's dream and caters to children as young as two with its soft play offerings, right up to the most fearless teenagers who can enjoy high ropes, a ninja park and huge trampoline park. Then for those not as physically adventurous, high tea at Devon Pixies – located within the historic Kingston Butter Factory Precinct – is a good way to recover. The very quaint cafe, located in one of the factory's original workers cottages, puts on a traditional high tea with its own blend, delicate sandwiches and baked goods, and a kid-friendly adaptation featuring fairy bread, decorated biscuits and milkshakes. The venue also caters to kids with a small playground in front of its welcoming veranda, which we made good use of rather than overstaying our welcome inside the tea room after learning our lesson earlier in the trip. Other recommended attractions in the area include the FGS Chung Tian Temple, which provides a venue for the community to celebrate its multicultural community (Logan is home to people from more than 215 cultures) and the Daisy Hill Koala Centre.
