06 March 2009

Today we boarded our first Oz experience bus at 7am from Cairns heading to Magnetic Island. When we arrived to pick up the bus we were quite suprised when a small mini bus with a luggage trailer turned up as the brochure had shown a massive bus. Once we boarded the bus our guide Muppet began to explain about the approaching Cyclone and how this may affect the journey. We began worrying from this point onwards. About an hour into the journey we stopped off at a crocodile farm but we decided not to go and save a bit of money towards our australia zoo trip. At about 4.30pm we arrived at Townsville and had to decide whether to brave the cyclone and travel to Magnetic Island by ferry. The risk was that we may not be able to return to Townsville for our next bus if cyclone Hamish arrived the next day. Townsville did not look the most exciting town and we had already booked a hostel in Magnetic Island so decided to risk it and take the ferry across. The hostel was quite secluded on the Island but was full of other backpackers so we had some dinner and a few drinks with the people we had met on the bus. The main topic of discussion was the cyclone. After a few drinks we headed back to our supposedly (cyclone proof) room for a sleep after our days travelling.

07 March 2009

We awoke to find that Hamish had not arrived yet but was expected that evening. The weather was quite bad but we decided to try and make the most of our day and visit the Kowala sanctuary. We were taken round by a guide who showed several different animals including baby crocs, lizards, snakes and birds. Although the big attraction was the Kowalas who we had payed an extra fee to hold and have a photo with. The guide explained that the fee was compulsary all over Queensland and had been decided on by the government to help limit the amount of human contact the kowalas had on a daily basis. The fee went towards the planting of more ucleptues trees to feed them and also towards vertinary care for wild kowalas across Queensland. The Kowala we had our picture with was called Dexter. He grabbed on to you just like a tree branch and didnt seem phased by humans at all. He was a bit smelly but we didn't mind as he was so cute. After saying goodbye to Dexter we headed back to the hostel to sit out cyclone. We all decided that a cyclone party with lots of wine was the best way sit out the storm. Fortunately, Hamish never arrived and we spent the night wondering what all the fuss was about.