June 18: Museum and Sciencentre of Brisbane

After 15 hours stuck on a train, I finally arrived in Brisbane!  Immediately it was noticeable how different Brisbane was from Sydney. The streets were not as hectic  and most people rode bikes for transportation. It was much easier finding my way downtown than Sydney. 

I first explored South Bank and the different cafes located throughout the walking trails. I then crossed South bank from Goodwill bridge that is designed specifically for bikers and walkers, instead of driving. This eco-friendly method of transportation was built in 2001 and links the South Bank to the Botanic Gardens. 

The Botanic Gardens have rare and diverse plant species and in particular, this area shows the evolution of Queensland's history. In the early 1800's these gardens were planted to feed the prisons, but over time it became a Botanic Reserve. In 1997, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register. Located here are species such as different succulents, palms, flowering trees, azaleas, and rare fruits.

Then before heading back to the hotel, I went to the Museum and Sciencentre of Brisbane. They had a couple main exhibits that included an area for the Great Barrier Reef and conservation methods and an area dedicated to the biodiversity found in the different areas of Australia.

    The first area for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) was an interactive exhibit created to raise awareness for the way it’s drastically changing. They explained how its changing, why its changing, and why it’s important. Due to climate change, the GBR is changing drastically because of raising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. When the sea temperature increases, it causes bleaching on the reef. Since it is expected to keep increasing, corals won't have enough time to recover. Since corals are made from limestone, the calificaiton will slow down and their skeletons will not be as strong.

The interactive exhibit for the Great Barrier Reef

Found in the wildlife exhibit was another section just for the oceans and reef. Not only did the exhibits show what exactly the planet would lose, but also explained why every little thing is important for the future of the ecosystem. They even included signs to warn the public what polluting even a cigarette butt can do to the ocean.

Exhibit named "Trash and Treasure"