Hey everyone

Today we explored Magnetic Island!

After getting up and getting ready, we decided that today we would tackle the popular forts walk. We packed our day bag and made some lunch and went off in the sweltering heat. It was a 20 minute walk just along a road and up a hill before the actual forts walk began, by which time we needed a break to cool down a little.

Our next stop was at a lookout point over Arthur Bay, one of the many beautiful bays on Magnetic Island. We got out the video camera and filmed a little, as we thought it was time for another video diary day. We carried on walking and eventually arrived at the fort, or at least the remains of a military camp from the second world war. A map showed us where all the buildings used to be, and we were amazed how for months people had lived in the base near the top of the hill, looking out for Japanese war ships.

The ammunition storage building was still in tact, not surprising considering the walls were reinforced concrete several inches thick. We also saw where huge guns were mounted, capable of firing 20km out to sea. When we were at the 'Range Finder', a little area providing amazing views of a bay far below, Alex was filming the views when from behind him Christina shouted, "Oh my god! There's a koala!" She had been sitting down attempting to cool off when she heard a rustling in the trees nearby. Expecting it to be just a lizard, she looked up to see a koala just a couple of metres away from her. Alex quickly rushed over and for a few minutes we watched (and filmed and photographed) the koala slowly move around the tree, before going to sleep slumped over a branch. We were so glad to finally see a koala in the wild, after seeing so many at places like the Koala Hospital and the Koala Sanctuary.

We continued our walk, further up the hill, until we finally made it to the command post at the very top. We can hardly imagine the effort it must have taken the 25 people who built the fort, considering how much concrete the command post consisted of alone. Here we had a beautiful view of the island, Mount Cook in the centre of the island in one direction, and numerous bays in the other. We found a little spot of shade and had our lunch, cooling off after the long walk.

After a much needed break, we got back on our feet and began the trek back to the hostel. Lots of walking later and with empty water bottles we arrived back at the hostel, ready to have a relaxing afternoon. We cooled off in the pool and dried off in the hammocks. An early dinner and an early night followed, after what had been a very tiring day. Xxx