Airlie Beach to Townsville and then onto Magnetic Island

Saturday 5th December 2009, Travelling

We checked out this morning about 9am, treated ourselves to a cappuccino and then headed to the bus stop to catch our bus at 9:40am. The weekend market was on at a Airlie Beach just next door to the bus stop so I has too stop Caroline from browsing as otherwise we would never had left . The bus was a bit delayed so it was 10:15am before we left Airlie Beach and then it was a 4 hour journey to Townsville.

To get to Magnetic Island you have to get a ferry across the ocean from Townsville. Unfortunately we arrived at 2:45pm and then it was an hour's wait until the next ferry, so we just chilled in the ferry terminal and had some food whilst we waited. The journey over takes 20 minutes so it was just after 4pm when we arrived on Magnetic Island and then we had too catch the local island bus to our hostel. BASE Backpackers. Which was in Nelly Bay.
On arrival at the hostel we checked in and squeezed into our teepee type room. It was a little tight with 8 people in one room but it was comfy enough. We'd heard pretty bad stories about this hostel prior to arriving so we weren't expecting the best but once we'd had a look around we both thought it was absolutely fine and it was straight on the beach with a great view! And some fab decking for enjoying a beer or 2!

After sorting ourselves out we had a soft drink before walking 20 minutes down the road to the food works supermarket to get food for tea. Tonight was too be cheese and tomato omelets with beans. Not the best omelet's I've ever made due to the rubbish hobs but still pretty tasty. After dinner we had a few beers, used the net and chatted with a German dude!

Sunday 6th December 2009, Maggie Island

Yesterday we arranged to hire a Barbie car to explore to the island so after grabbing our free hot breakfast we were picked up at 9:30am and taken to the car rental place. Basically the cars our topless cars and look very much like Barbie cars. Ours was white and pink although we would have preferred the all pink one but it had already gone! Turns out a bunch of guys had it!!

Anyway once we'd signed our lives away, again, we set off to explore the island. Caroline drove first and I map read. It's not a big island (12km in length) so this wasn't hard! First stop of the day was Picnic Bay. We had a look at the view, took some photos, walked along the beach and then had a morning hydration drink! Next stop was Horse Shoe Bay. This is the busiest section of the island but only in the sense that there were a couple of shops, a café and a pub. Whilst here we sat in the sun for a bit and had a swim in the sea. Because of the stingers you can only swim in the netted area which is just a basic square area for you to get wet! But it was nice to cool off. Once we'd dried off it was back in the car and back up the hill to do the forts walk. We had been told that the Forts Walk was a must do!! I'm afraid to say we don't agree. It was ok! The views were good but it wasn't all that. But note to selves when walking don't do it in midday heat!! In retrospect we should have done this walk as soon as we had the car but hey never mind. The walk itself was about an hour and a half round trip. The actual walk is based around an old army base from World War One so there were lots of sites from the base still around. But you have to have an interest in the army and a vivid imagination to fully appreciate them! Not us. But we did go up there signal tower which pretty much gave us 360 degree views of the island which was cool!

After the walk we drove to Arcadia which was just down the hill. The intention was to get lunch here but due to limited and expensive options we went back to Horse Shoe Bay for lunch. Unfortunately the bakery had just shut when we got there so we went to the pub. I had Calamari and Chips, Caroline had Turkish Bread with dips. After lunch we went back to Arcadia and went down to Alma Bay for a lay on the beach and to read our books for a bit. We left here at about 4:30pm so that we could stop at Jeffery's Bay and hopefully see some Rock wallabies. And lucky for us as soon as we pulled up there was one waiting for us on the path. Very sweet and a lot smaller than regular wallabies. After having a quick walk on the rocks and looking at the views as well as hearing either a whale or a dolphin coming up for air, we headed back to the car as we had to get it back by 5pm. But just as we were leaving this guy came up to us and said wait 2 minutes girls and then you'll see loads of Wallabies and we did. This old guy comes up most days to feed them fruit and veg as well as seeds so we got too see about 20 rock Wallabies including a mum with her Joey in her pouch!

Once the car was returned and no problems were reported we nipped to the shop and then started the walk home-no lift offered! Now the walk should have taken about 30 minutes but it took us nearly 2 and a half hours as we ended up making calls home on the way. Once back at Base we indulged in the BBQ that was on, but because we didn't return till 7:45pm the very nice lady gave us a 2 4 1 deal as it finished at 8pm. There are some lovely people in the world!! After dinner we spent the remainder of the night drinking a few beers and talking to an English guy and a Swiss girl.

Monday 7th December 2009 Magnetic Island to Mission Beach

Today was check out and move day. We weren't due to catch the bus until 12pm from Townsville so it was a pretty relaxed check out as the boat wasn't until 11:10am. We left the hostel about 10:40am to catch the bus to the ferry port and then once we got there it was straight onto the boat and back to Townsville. Half an hour wait the other side for the bus and then it was on the road to Mission Beach!!

See you there xxx