I did a TESOL Course in Brisbane, Australia, in early August 2008 - just two weeks after returning from Penang following the lecture phase of YWAM's School of Frontier Mission there.

The city of Brisbane straddles the Brisbane river with the older part of the city around the historic Story bridge which you can see behind me.

The whole region from Brisbane to the Gold Coast is actually built on a coastal mangrove area. All the rivers are exceptionally clean as the locals love the outdoors and make good use of the riverine environment.

For a good look around the Gold Coast, I decided to hop into a chopper at the huge Sea World park which is somewhat mid-way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Taking off from the Sea World helipad.

A aerial view of the Gold Coast looking south-ward. The Pacific ocean is actually on the far left of this picture.

During the southern winter, humpback whales are on their annual migration and there are few better places than Tweed Heads to find a good vessel to take you out to see them.

Although we saw them breaching, rolling and waving, it's really hard to take a good pic close up with my little pocket camera. The breaches are spectacular but by the time I click the camera button, only huge plumes of ocean spray are seen.

Its hard not to love these guys! Sea World not only carries out dolphin research but also takes good care of rehabilitated dolphins; many of which cannot be safely returned to the wild and are thus trained to perform.