Life Advice: All UQ Students Should Chase the Blue Tears Once💧
Even though international students in Brisbane love to joke that they’re living in a "Brisbane Village" (Bu Cun), mocking the slow pace of life that’s as leisurely as a koala’s stroll🤧, this city is full of surprises — especially the winter-exclusive blue tears, which can be called the "ceiling of Brisbane’s night views." Missing them will truly make you regret it for a whole year! 💧 A little science about "blue tears": Don’t be misled by the name — these aren’t real tears, but rather "romantic tricks" played by marine bioluminescent algae. When these tiny plankton are stimulated by external factors — such as waves crashing against rocks, throwing a stone into the sea, or gently stirring the water with a branch — they instantly emit a faint blue glow, like stars crushed and scattered into the ocean. Patches of blue tears flicker in the dark; stepping on the beach leaves a trail of blue footprints, and even the waves rolling ashore seem to drag a blue ribbon. It’s so dreamy that you’ll wonder if you’ve stumbled into a fairy tale. Every Australian winter, especially August, is when these little creatures are most active. Miss this period, and you’ll have to wait until next year. 📍 Best spot to watch blue tears: Northshore Riverside Park Beach comes highly recommended! It’s not far from the city center, with convenient transportation. If you don’t feel like walking, take a taxi directly to the parking lot; if you want to experience local transport, the Citycat ferry will also get you there. After getting off the ferry, walk into the depths of the park, and you’ll find the right place when you see the dark beach. Come early to scout the area in the evening, and you can catch a sunset by the way. Once it gets completely dark, the blue tears will quietly make their appearance. 🌊 Practical tips for chasing tears: 🔺 Timing is key: Don’t go too early! Blue tears "shine their brightest" after 10 PM, and they become more visible the later it gets. Additionally, they’re more likely to be seen on humid days, such as nights after rain — you’ll probably be rewarded with a sea full of blue light🌌. 🔺 Photography hacks: Wear light-colored clothes! White or light blue dresses or T-shirts will look better under the blue glow, with a built-in filter (glow filter)". If a boat passes by, even better — the waves stirred up by the boat’s wake will turn into a blue light strip, and pressing the shutter will capture a "starry river on the sea" moment🛳. Remember to turn off your phone’s flash and use long exposure mode (night mode works too), otherwise it’ll be hard to capture the blue light. 🔺 Don’t neglect warmth: Brisbane’s winter days may be warm, but the seaside nights are super windy, and it gets freezing after a while. Be sure to bring a thick coat, and preferably a scarf too — don’t catch a cold just to take nice photos. Images sourced from the internet Chasing blue tears once will probably become one of your most unforgettable memories in "Bu Cun" — when the seawater at your feet glows blue, and the friends around you exclaim in amazement, you’ll suddenly realize that the slow pace of "Bu Cun" hides the most healing romance. #AustralianInternationalStudents #AustralianStudyAbroadStories #Brisbane #BrisbaneLife #BlueTears #BlueTearsGuide #UniversityOfQueensland #UQ #QueenslandUniversityOfTechnology #GriffithUniversity #UQT #UQLife #Queensland #AustralianLife
