Restaurant Review: The Polish Place, Tamborine, Queensland

I don’t often do restaurant reviews but the Polish Place in Tamborine, Queensland does also offer accommodation which I hope to try someday.  It’s kind of a surreal experience.  If you hadn’t just driven up from Brisbane or down from Lamington you could believe that you were in a quaint little Polish village in Europe.  Not even the hot, tropical Queensland climate interferes as you are high up enough for a pleasant, cool breeze.

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Whether you are staying in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, The Polish Place is just a short drive away.  We drove down from O’Reilly’s in time to have lunch here.  There’s plenty of birding in the area at Tamborine National Park.

Polish Place Polish Place2The gift shop is straight out of Poland with some beautiful arts and crafts.  I loved the doll collection!

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The waitresses wear traditional Polish costumes.

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The best seating is outside on the deck overlooking a spectacular view over teh Dividing Range.

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My photos of the menu didn’t come out well but you can see more about the cuisine here.  My pierogi were delicious and it was all I could do to finish the iced coffee before I was mobbed by Rainbow Lorikeets!

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This was the most fun I have had at a restaurant in ages!  The brilliant lorikeets put on a great show every time someone gets up from their meal to leave, hoping to steal the leftovers before the waitress can get to it.

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The cheeky little devils were all over my iced coffee.  I had to hide it under the table while I drank it as it really isn’t good for them.  I then put some water in the glass to dilute the leftovers.  They were undeterred and still tried to lick the glass clean!  Don’t worry, they didn’t get much – I took my photos quickly and gave the glass to the waitress!  Next time I’ll order some orange juice for them – unsweetened.

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King’s Park, Perth

King’s Park in Perth is easily accessed by free CAT buses from downtown.  Once you are there, have a look for a nice variety of bird species.  Full bird list can be found here.  You can also download a nice brochure with bird pics to help you identify them.

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Although it looks close to the city, be aware that the park is on top of a hill.

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We were there late in the afternoon but still managed to see Carnaby’s Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets, Ravens and more!

IMG_6705 IMG_6690 IMG_6706 IMG_6707 IMG_6709 IMG_6710 IMG_6712 IMG_6713a IMG_6715You can also enjoy wonderful views overlooking the city.

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Neil Hawkins Park, Joondalup, Western Australia

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Neil Hawkins Park in Joondalup is less than half hour’s drive from Perth and offers excellent birding!

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There’s something for everyone, whether you are interested in water birds frolicking on beautiful Lake Joondalup……………………………….

IMG_6655 IMG_6678 IMG_6677………………………………Pigeons & Kookaburras in the trees…………………………

IMG_6688 IMG_6676 IMG_6682 IMG_6683a…………………………..or a chance to see parrot species that aren’t native to Western Australia yet managed to end up here and flourish.  Rainbow Lorikeets are native to east coast Australia and Long-billed Corellas are native to the south & eastern coasts of Australia.  If you aren’t planning a visit to these areas it’s nice to still be able to enjy these beautiful birds in the wild!

IMG_6686a IMG_6653 IMG_6657 IMG_6659 IMG_6660 IMG_6665 IMG_6668 IMG_6670I really enjoyed watching the Corellas foraging in the grass and they weren’t afraid to let us come close!