AirlieBeach, WhitsundayIslands - 16th July

Had an early flight on a propeller plane to HamiltonIsland where we were able to benefit from the great views of the islands and see the different colours in the ocean around the reefs.The reef runs for 2300 km from Cairns to Bundaberg. Darted from the airport to a nearby a ferry in the habour.However, it was going nowhere and luckily we got spotted and shown to the right ferry!We had a trip across to ShuteHarbour that, allowed us close up views of the islands, which are fairly hilly and covered in trees and shrub, not the flat, sandy islands that we have expected.After viewing a couple of noisy and cell-like backpacker rooms we spent just a little bit more to stay at a large self catering apartment which is palatial in comparison and at least we can cook at home here.Airlie is certainly a town full of backpackers, although the locals and other holiday makers are plentiful too.Sat down by the beautiful purpose-built lagoon and enjoyed the sunshine. In the evening had a few drinks at Shenanigan's Bar (frequented by the actor, Matthew McConnaghey apparently) and met a nice bloke from Essex, who is travelling around Oz spending his redundancy pay-off.However, he ended up being quite annoying, as he continually repeated himself. We made our excuses and left before we heard for the fourth time of his trip to Cairns to stay with a cousin he had never met. Fascinating.

17th July

Early start for our boat trip out to the Great Barrier Reef.An extremely well organised tour, with a three hour trip out to Knuckle Reef.Again we had a great view of the islands and saw the water spout from a whale on the way out. Once we got to the reef we moored up next to a pontoon, where we had a trip out on a semi-submersible and a glass bottom boat with a marine biologist sharing some facts about the coral and general marine life.We then got into our flattering wet suits and our first dip in the ocean was via a curly water slide.We then got our flippers, snorkel and mask to start swimming around a section of the Great Barrier Reef. This is something that has always been on the list of things to do and it felt so wonderful to actually be doing it.Although the coral is stunning, it's not particularly colourful, but there were lots of different coloured fish to make up for it.There was a huge fish swimming around the boat and must have been about a metre long and half a metre high, with a weird lump on its head that looks like a mono-brow. (Technical guide books just don't give the detailed level of information described by Suzanne)Really friendly crew who kept us fed and watered and were really helpful throughout the trip.Scanned the horizon on the way back in the hope of spotting a whale, but didn't see a thing!Went to our local for dinner and sang along to the live music courtesy of the acoustic guitarist.

Interesting marine biology fact: All clown fish are born male, with the dominant male changing sex later in life.Therefore, Nemo (in the film 'Finding Nemo') would have ended up mating with his father, who would have changed sex, after his mother had died.Just typical of American films to leave these details out!Somehow, the film will never be the same again.

18th July

Went to the local market in the morning and enjoyed a lazy browse around at the artefacts and various bits of usual market tat. The fact that 'you buy it, you carry it' put Suzanne off purchasing anything more than a necklace!On to the lagoon/lido and relaxed in the sun, but it kept going in and we were getting chilly! The lido area is so well maintained with gas installed BBQ areas that are cleaned every night, a life guard on duty for most of the day and very clean showers and toilets.The gardens are also well manicured and no litter in sight. We followed the boardwalk along the coast until we came to a lively pub on the corner overlooking the harbour.We decided it would be a good time to stop and enjoy a drink and watch the sun go down behind the mountains across the habour.

19th July

Hired some bikes out and rode along the coastal path.Passed some stunning houses and apartments overlooking the bay which probably cost a small fortune.Finally got to a shopping mall and bought some warmer clothes ready for our move further south, which we are continually warned is very cold!Felt a bit saddle sore when we got back but it was worth it.Enjoyed a night in and actually cooked for once.

20th July

Up early to pick up our car for the day.We decided to head out to Eungella National Park, which is about 200 km's south of Airlie Beach.We passed a few small villages and lots of sugar cane fields with the mountains as the backdrop.We had to stop a few times to let the very long cane trains through.Stopped off at Finch Hatton Gorge and took two of the walks through the forest.One track went to Aurelia Cascades which is a waterfall running through the big boulders that have come crashing down at one stage from the mountains.The water is quite clear, but freezing!We then trekked a long way up through to an area called the Wheel of Fire which is a serene rocky pool area. It had been threatening rain and Suzanne was worried that our little 'Jazz' car might not make it back over the flooded creek areas, so we made our way back and managed to climb back through the boulders across the creek without any further injury - small mercies!!Then on to an area called Broken River to catch sight of a Duck-Billed Platypus. These are quite elusive creatures apparently, so we were lucky to see one diving and surfacing the water trying to catch its tea.They are quite small and apparently only grow to around 50 cm.We could also make out some turtles at the bottom of the creek lazing around.Stopped off on the way back for some highly recommended pies and Stephen was in heaven!Had a night in packing and watching England's victory in the 2nd Ashes Test.

A bit of local news - A Queenslander Taxi Driver was fined $500 for not pulling up his socks, when instructed by the police.Who would have thought that the Fashion Police operated in Oz?

21st July

Up early to return the car, secure our packs into a locker and on to the Whitehaven Express.About 30 of us on the boat as we sailed out to the Whitsunday Islands again.This time we went to a lookout point on Whitsunday Island to check out what has been voted the 2nd most beautiful view in Australia by the National Geographic magazine.It was certainly stunning looking out to the pure white beaches, the green wooded background and all the different shades of blue in the ocean.You could also make out the many stingrays in the bay below. At the Whitehaven Beach the sand is so white because it contains 97% silica.We were told it made a great jewellery cleaner, so we polished up our rings and true enough they are dazzling away!It is a beautiful beach and the sand is so fine and powdery it's just a shame it's packed full of tourists like us! We did some swimming and sunbathing while the crew knocked up a BBQ for us.We were back out onto the water to a snorkel area where again there was some fantastic coral and fish to be seen.Stephen struggled with his mask, gave up and took the easy option on the glass bottom boat. Being a cloudy and windy day we had to really wrap up for the rocky journey back.Back in Airlie Beach with a couple of hours to kill before we catch the train, so went to a bar and ordered a Bacardi and coke, much to the barman's amusement.We hadn't realised the bar was named 'Rum Bar' with over 200 different types of rum available.He advised Suzanne to be adventurous and have a Havana Club, (which is basically a 1960's Bacardi, created by the Cuban's when the US fell out with Castro….)

Arrived at the train station for our overnighter to Hervey Bay to find that the train is delayed by 1.5 hours.We went through to the town called Prosperpine to find a bar to pass away the time.The streets are very dark and the only sign of life seems to be the sugar mill that's continuously pumping smoke into the night sky.We found a bar and ordered a couple of drinks and then overheard the miserable bar maid talking about closing time.This was at 8.45pm!We thought that we must be hearing things, but our fears were confirmed by a mill worker at the bar.Made our way back to the station and boarded our train and into our cabin for the night.It's not quite the suite that James Bond had in his films, but it was fine, if not particularly spacious.After Suzanne convinced herself that she wasn't in a coffin with the bed above only a few feet on top of her and that Stephen's bunk wasn't going to come crashing down on her during the night, we managed to get quite a good night's sleep.It was a 12 hour trip with a bus journey at the other end to take us to Hervey Bay.