World's tallest

The Q1 building in Surfers Paradise was indeed the world's tallest residential building when it was completed in 2005. It's been overtaken by five others since then, but it's still Australia's tallest building overall (though only the 80th tallest building in the world!)

It has a big spire on top, and they tend to include the spires in the quoted heights, which I think is cheating, and the top of Q1's spire is one metre higher than the top of Dubai's Burj Al Arab's spire. I imagine that's not coincidental.

I had to go up to the observation deck of course, and as these things go, it was a pretty good observation deck experience. You do have to pay, but there are no pesky metal detectors or other security checks. You just get in the lift, press the button, and up you go.

And it's a pleasant and relaxing observation lounge too. No time limits, no crowds, and wonderful views of that oh-so-familiar strip of unreal Gold Coast real estate.

The view to the south.













And to the north.







A somewhat optimistic world's tallest comparison chart. World's 80th tallest in yellow.

Heading north for the Big Things in life

 We've just come back from a road trip up to Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. I wasn't primarily seeking out the Big Things, but they do seem to catch the eye (and camera).

Coffs Harbour's Big Banana was one of the first of Australia's iconic Big Things, and one of the best known. It's also known for being a bit smaller than you expect it to be, and a (Big?) disappointment.



I did rather like the Big Prawn at Ballina, opposite the Big Bunnings store there. I just read that a few years ago Ballina Council voted to allow its demolition, but Bunnings bought it and saved it. Good for them!

The Big Pineapple at Nambour is another old stalwart, and here's a Big Golf Ball, found lurking in the grounds of the Big Banana.

What else did we find? Well here's that Big Bunnings, and not far to the north of there, at the Macadamia Castle at Knockrow, we came across the Big Knight. I'd never heard of him.

Surfers Paradise had a rather big residential tower block, Q1.





And Australia Zoo, at Landsborough, Queensland, was big in lots of ways. Here are its big tortoises and a big (prehistoric) crocodile.

And here's Wikipedia's piece about Australia's 150 or so 'official' Big Things:  
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia's_big_things