True Colors — In-Depth Australia: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay_Brisbane_Blogs_About

Sep 24,2025

True Colors — In-Depth Australia: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay

65 Views

Time: Three years ago, right before Christmas. People: Me, my mom, and my kid.
Back then, Brisbane hadn’t been hit by floods yet, and housing prices were still pretty high (they’ve dropped a bit since then). There’s a mountain in the city where you can go to the top and have a meal while enjoying a panoramic view. South Bank is beautiful, and there’s even a man-made beach where you can swim. Brisbane, the heart of Queensland, feels a bit like a second-tier city in China — not too big, not too small. Gold Coast isn’t that exciting unless you’re into surfing, but it’s full of young people, with good-looking guys and girls from all over the world. What really stands out about the Gold Coast are the hotels: they’re all fantastic, not expensive (around $150 AUD for five-star accommodation, including a buffet breakfast with lots of variety), and super comfortable. I recommend self-driving to nearby Sovereign Island for a look — it’s a very exclusive place, with houses averaging four million AUD (about 25 million RMB)... As for Byron Bay, I honestly didn’t see what the fuss was about, but it’s really famous — especially among European backpackers. Apparently, it’s the easternmost point of the Australian continent. There’s a lighthouse there, and everyone goes to take a photo.