Cairns/Airlie Beach

Left Sydney for Cairns about 11.30am. Took off about 3pm was a two and three quarterhour flight so arrived in Cairns around 5.45pm, had to put the clock back an hour, which helped for our drive down country. Picked the car up and left around 5.30pm. Got on the 'Bruce Highway' heading south. TV and radio had told us that the east coast of Oz had had severe weather for the last few weeks (rain). Well driving down, there was flooding everywhere, was getting a bit worried! Got a map to follow and decided to head for a big town to spend the night. Went through several 'big' towns, or so they looked on the map only to find they were a bit 'hillbilly' so carried on. Eventually, 4 and a half hours later we stopped for the night in a place called 'Townsville', found a Holiday Inn and checked in for the night. Was about10.30pm. Decided to go to the bar for a night cap only to find it was already closed. Ended up walking down the high street for a couple in a local bar. Went back to the hotel to sleep knowing we wanted to get up early to carry on our journey. Left about 10.30am after having breakfast in town. Drove for about 3 hours or so and arrived at Airlie Beach. Found our appartments, checked in and again the apartment was lovely, had a bedroom with ensuite shower and bath, lounge, dining room, fully fitted kitchen and a balcony overlooking the sea. The lady on reception told us we were lucky it was dry because they had had constant rain for about a month.We unpacked and by the time we had finished the sun was shining. Went to reception to ask a couple of questions and the lady couldn't belive the sun was out and said we must have brought it with us!!! We said hardly, it was snowing in England! Haha. Next day got up to glorious blue skies and spent the day round the pool which was a treat after Sydney. We booked to go out to an island for the next day. That night went for a meal and a drink in town. Airlie is very back paqckerish, but has a few nice restaurants. Got up, agian the sun was shining, got picked up from our apartment and taken to the marina to catch our catamaran to 'Daydream Island'. Loved the trip over, it took about half hour. We sat up on the open deck and it was beautifu. Arrived at Daydream Island and it was stunning, we headed down to the beach and pool. We had lunch there and had a wonderful day. Got picked up at 5pm by the catamaran and headed back to the mainland. This is what we dreamed the Whit Sundays would be like and it certainly lived up to it. Next day got up and started our 5 hour drive back to Mission Beach. Heading down 'Bruce Highway' cruising at about118km an hour, when, sirens blazing the highway patrol stopped us! John gotout and was instantly breathalised, luckily he had not been drinking! But got a $200 fine for speeding!After that we cruised at 100km an hour cause didn't want to get done again, so took us a bit longer to get where we were going, Mission Beach.