BRISBANE–capital and largest city of Queensland State

BRISBANE–skyline and river

BRISBANE–Old Customs House, built 1889

BRISBANE–skyscraper reflections

BRISBANE–the South Bank Parklands along the river is a relaxation and entertainment destination

BRISBANE–the Wheel of Brisbane, nearly 60 m tall, is part of the Parklands

BRISBANE–relaxing along the riverbank

BRISBANE–flocks of Sacred Ibis inhabit the riverbanks

BRISBANE–a reproduction stern-wheeler on the river

BRISBANE–four bridges side-by-side, including one exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists

BRISBANE–outdoor sculptures in the Parklands

HAMILTON ISLAND–largest of the Whitsunday Islands 887 K/ 551 mi north of Brisbane

HAMILTON ISLAND–the harbor and resort opened in the 1980's

HAMILTON ISLAND–the island was developed almost exclusively for tourism and no cars are allowed

HAMILTON ISLAND–flowers and other plants adorn the island

HAMILTON ISLAND–purple flowers

HAMILTON ISLAND–while spider flower

HAMILTON ISLAND–Wild Life Hamilton Island has an assortment of animals to see and try to hold

HAMILTON ISLAND–nice line of palms on the island

TOWNSVILLE–the largest urban center in North Queensland is subject to mist and fog

TOWNSVILLE–Castle Hill rises some 286 m/ 938 ft in the center of the city

TOWNSVILLE–Magnetic House, built 1886-88, is a Heritage building on historic Flinders Street

TOWNSVILLE–another building of historic importance

TOWNSVILLE–ReefHQ is the world's largest living coral reel aquarium with 130 corals and hundreds of fish species

TOWNSVILLE–the 2.6 L/690 gal tank holds all sorts of underwater life

TOWNSVILLE–weird blue-lipped fish; maybe a grouper

TOWNSVILLE–seahorse amid the corals

TOWNSVILLE–a rainbow caught from the top of Castle Hill

GREEN ISLAND–a coral cay 27 K/ 17 mi offshore from Cairns is located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park World Heritage Area.

GREEN ISLAND–some of the corals

GREEN ISLAND–some of the crowds day-tripping on the island

GREEN ISLAND–you know it's a tourist trap when a hot dog is $15

GREEN ISLAND–pine tree on the island

GREEN ISLAND–lovely beach with the Great Barrier Reef just offshore…with jellyfish

THURSDAY ISLAND–view of the Torres Strait Islands, between Australia and Papua New Guinea

THURSDAY ISLAND–Green Hill Fort on Battery Port, built 1892

THURSDAY ISLAND–entering through the ramparts of the fort

THURSDAY ISLAND–the old 6 inch guns are still in place though the fort was decommissioned in 1927

THURSDAY ISLAND–a pearling industry established in 1885 attracted many Japanese to the island

THURSDAY ISLAND–a grave of a pearl-diver in the local cemetery

THURSDAY ISLAND–spirit post

THURSDAY ISLAND–bustling downtown

THURSDAY ISLAND–Saturday afternoon