Thursday 18th February 2016

The night in Airlie was very hot and humid again so we got up early and drove off to get the air con flowing. We were heading north to Townsville. We stopped off at a rest stop right on the waters edge to have breakfast. Immediately we saw signs warning us about crocodiles inhabiting the area and advising not to swim and not to feed them. We could then see loads of heads popping up out of the water. It was a bit weird hearing two locals talking about how a man walking his dog along the beach nearly saw his dog get grabbed by one. Can't imagine what it must be like living in this part of Australia where it seems everything is out to get you.

We arrived in Townsville at about 1030 and decided that we would catch the ferry over to Magnetic Island, a small island about 3 miles from the mainland which was used in world war 2 to house artillery guns. It also boasts to have the largest population of Koala bears in OZ so we were hopeful of seeing one in the wild. The journey took 20 mins and the ferry ticket also included bus transport once on the island.

We caught the bus to the start of a walk called The Forts. On trip advisor consecutively for the last week people had commented seeing Koalas on this walk. The walk was about 2-3k and should only take like an hour. We took at least double that as we were walking off the beaten track, into the bush looking up absolutely every tree possible, for any hint of a Koala.

We reached the end of the walk and arrived at an old artillery position on top of a hill, which provided some amazing views. It also meant we had to turn round and head back, feeling deflated that we hadn't seen one. So the walk back was less interesting and we didn't even look into the trees. We bumped into loads of people heading to the fort asking if we had seen one and when they heard our failed attempts, most people turned round and didn't even entertain the walk.

We headed back to the mainland and decided to cheer ourselves up by going to a powered site and getting a Dominoes for dinner. We ate the dominoes looking out over the water which was nice. It was still very hot and humid but manageable due to the offshore breeze. Once we got into Kylie however the breeze had stopped and the humidity was just relentless. We battled with having the windows open only, to opening the doors meaning mosquitoes got in to then having to put the mozzy net up. It was the worst night ever. Both Isla and I were sweating, the sheets were soaked and we had been bitten all over. We only got about 3 hrs sleep and were on the verge of driving back to Sydney as we had 10 days left and would be going further north to higher humidity and supposedly more insects. Not a fun moment at all.

Friday 19th February 2016

We woke up feeling horrible and annoyed so we decided to just skip breakfast and get moving again. We stopped of at a shop to get more supplies and made the most of the stores air con and freezers. Whilst paying for the food we explained our horrible night to the cashier, who in turn described the recent weather as "disgusting". This made us laugh a lot as although we completely agree with how horrible the humidity can be without air con, looking outside and seeing blue skies, sun and like 1 cloud doesn't really register disgusting to a Brit when our disgusting would be grey clouds and rain. Maybe we could start up a share programme were we swap houses with people who want cold weather in exchange for those who want hot.

We got back on the road and headed for a town called Ingham which was home to the largest single drop waterfall in Australia called Wallaman Falls. We had to drive for quite a while inland and up a mountain to reach it. Once we reached the car park, Kylie started making a noise. It was coming from the water pump for the sink and when we stopped to have a look, water was leaking from underneath. Great another problem!
It wasn't the end of the world as we could still use it, it just made a noise and leaked when in use.

We started the trail to the waterfall which signs said would take up to 2 hours and required a moderate level of fitness, which Isla didn't like the sound of lol. I cracked the whip and marched her on. We got to a view point and saw the falls, it was amazing and had a perfect pool underneath for swimming in. We made the trip down and reached what would be river bed in the wet season but is now just a giant obstacle course we needed to cross in order to swim in the pool. Isla didn't fancy it but again I pushed on and eventually we managed to cross. We were met with a large waterfall over 100 meters tall which was pouring water down into a pool about 50 meters by 50 meters. Due to the surrounding rock being dark granite, the pool itself was pitch black and we had no way of telling how deep it was or what creatures it possessed. We were pretty certain it didn't have crocodiles in as the river was to shallow to allow them to come in from the sea and the food source would not be sufficient.

I obviously had to go in first, the water was so cold but refreshing. I swam a bit out into the middle but then like a wimp I let the mind tricks get the better of me and I swam back to the side. The water was so dark and cold and probably really deep, you know that feeling when you swim across a deep bit and it gets colder? Well it was like that.

I plucked up the courage again and managed to swim across to where the waterfall was reaching the pool, about 50 meters from the side. The experience was amazing, laying on my back looking up into the waterfall coming from 100 meters up. I swam back across to Isla and convinced her to come in. We both swam to the waterfall and Isla actually loved it and felt very pleased with herself. She has definitely done numerous things on this trip that she probably thought she would never do.

We got out and made the walk back up hill to Kylie. This was why they recommended the moderate level of fitness, in 35 degree hit walking continuously uphill for 2 hours was pretty tough and Isla needed some serious motivation. But we made it and she left feeling more confident about Machu Pichu. By the time we reached Kylie it was dinner time and although the signs stated not to camp we went against it and camped the night. It was amazing and due to being on top of the mountain we got a lovely breeze and were able to sleep in peace.
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