Meanjin Meander

a four-day Brisbane walk

Meanjin is a Turrbul word meaning ‘point or spear’ referring to the area now known as Gardens Point, as well the land where several Indigenous camps were located north of the river.

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This four-day self guided walk around inner Brisbane will provide a holiday away in your own corner of the world, a chance to learn more about this attractive city – one of the most walkable in the world. This is an opportunity to explore your own back yard without overseas flights and border crossings.

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“Brisbane is so sleepy, so slatternly, so sprawlingly unlovely… It is simply the most ordinary place in the world…It was so shabby and makeshift … a place where poetry could never occur.”

David Malouf

Johnno

The invitation is for you to spend a few days walking around Brisbane and you will undoubtedly find that the words above, written in 1975, no longer apply.

Instead, you will discover the meandering river, some of the two thousand parks and gardens, outdoor dining areas, flowering trees that grace the city from early till late summer, lots of places where poetry DOES occur, and a climate that gives us over 2800 hours of sunshine per year.

What is the best way to experience all this subtropical beauty?

On foot and slowly.

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“I came to realise that I travelled best when I travelled no faster than a dog could trot.”

Gardner McKay

Journey Without a Map

The 44 page guide book gives directions for the route, heaps of information about the indigenous history, convict settlements, early colonial history, natural history and architecture – all fascinating reading even for people not intending to do the walk.

Fold out maps show the entire route plus the route for each of the four days.

Even people who live in the city will be amazed at what they miss seeing from a car or even a bicycle as you follow a four day 72 km pedestrian route in a circle, never far from Maiwar – the Brisbane River.

The example two-page spread shown above lists the all important toilet and coffee stops.

Ways of doing the walk

Four consecutive days with hotel accommodation

This is the first class, gold star, luxury way of doing the walk. Ideal for visitors to Brisbane. Walk into the lobby of the View Hotel at Hamilton and you could be anywhere in the world. Send your luggage ahead to the next hotel so you are free to enjoy the sights. Even if you live in Brisbane, this option will give you the most rewarding, most memorable experience with a total break from regular routine. The three Meanjin Hotels have been chosen for their location (right on the route), their choice of dining options nearby and at the first two you can upgrade to a room with a spa bath for a magnesium soak at the end of the day.

Four or more single days returnng home at night

This would suit Brisbane people on a budget however you  miss  the experience of a complete break from routine and the chance to see the city through new eyes.

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Fully inclusive group walk

This four-day guided walk, including all accommodation, meals, and luggage transport will provide a hyper local experience without long distance travel. Why a group? Enjoy the camaraderie and fun of being with a small group of like-minded people, meet new friends, hear their stories and enjoy their company at mealtimes.  Parktours offer a couple of departures each year – one in Spring when you can enjoy balmy nights, warm but not too hot days and the spring blossom of trees and flowers. See ParkTour’s walking holidays Brisbane queensland for this and other walks in wild places around the world.

The lounge chair walk

If you don’t intend doing the walk, the guide book will give you an insight into the history of Meanjin (Brisbane) with some not so savoury stories of our past and plenty of  details about our sub-tropical natural history. There’s even a page of free things to do around town.

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Reviews

Simon C

“I was delighted to discover places in my own back yard that I had no idea about. I kept a list of all the places I’d like to go back to – museums and restaurants etc - there is so much to see and do in Brisbane.”

Anna B

“I joined the first fully inclusive guided walk. One of the many highlights was being greeted at each hotel by David who shifted our luggage. He greeted us with a tray of goodies – chocolates, fruit, water and magnesium salts which we used for a magnesium soak before dinner. Brilliant!"

Carl M

"A wonderful combination of sightseeing, historical insight and exercise. Add to that top-class accommodation and meals. All in all, a worthwhile experience."

Alison H

"I thought I knew Brisbane until I went on the Meanjin Meander. I discovered many new places and things of interest, one of which was the Fibonacci Sequence sculpture at Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Tony's explanation opened up a new way of thinking for me and I tell everyone I know to go and have a look. Exploring Brisbane on foot, meeting strangers who became friends, and staying in comfortable accommodation, made the Meanjin Meander a very enjoyable experience."

David M & Michael C

"We valued being immersed in an intimate way into the life of OUR city, OUR home OUR our place and space. We thought we knew all that there ws to know - we were wrong. The Meanjin Meander has a surprise and a new insight at every corner. Take the time to discover anew and allow the Meander and Meanjin to show themselves to you. Buon Camino!"

Alan D

"I thoroughly enjoyed the walk, rediscovering locations from my childhood and discovering so many other things I've cycled or driven past and missed entirely. The hotels and the meals were excellent, especially the three ways of cauliflower at Lambert's at The Point and the Osso Bucco at the Breakfast Creek Hotel. No matter where you've come from, go for a Meander and be enthralled at the delightful complexity of the river city."

Alexa & Ron

"My partner and I did the walk following the guide book, having picnic lunches and driving home each night. It cost almost nothing but shifting out of the holiday mood to drive through heavy traffic each night was not ideal. We will do it again and stay in the hotels when we have a bit more cash. The guide book was easy to follow and very informative. "

Gerry B

"It’s a wonderful way to discover Brisbane City. To see the city in a new way. Walking gives you views that you would never see normally, and gives you time to smell the roses. There is much more shade than I expected, and more parklands. Usually one is on interesting backstreets. Hotels were amazing bonuses. It is quite a treat to stay in a hotel close to home! Wonderful places were chosen to eat at."
Tony-Groom-Author-Meanjin-Meander

The Author

Author, Tony Groom, has spent 60 years introducing people to National Parks and other wild places around the world. Inspired by the Bondi to Manly walk in Sydney, he thought Brisbane could offer something similar so Meanjin Meander began to take shape. He says “I have travelled in 65 countries and have seen many attractive cities but Brisbane is my first choice of a city in which to live.” He is a volunteer guide at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens – on the walk route – and spends any spare time cycling or walking the numerous cycle/footpaths of the city. 

Meanjin Meander

a four-day Brisbane walk

BUY THE BOOK

Meanjin is a Turrbul word meaning ‘point or spear’ referring to the area now known as Gardens Point, as well the land where several Indigenous camps were located north of the river.

meanjin-meander-a-four-day-brisbane-self-guided-walk

Corrections & Feedback

Updates and amendments to the information provided in the printed Meanjin Meander – A four-day Brisbane Walk Guide Book will be posted here.

We welcome your feedback and invite corrections and suggestions to walk@meanjinmeander.com.au

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