Campervan Trip 5 Airlie Beach

Moved off early and decided that we would stop off midway at 'Mackay'. Got on the road and ended up following the same vehicle for at least 150k during which we only overtook 5 other vehicles (Rush hour in OZ!). Along the way we passed sugar cane fields extended on both sides of the road for at least 50k and found out later that sugar cane is big business in this area of Queenstown. The fields stretch as far as 400km and there is even a dedicated railway for sugar cane transport!

Used the beach BBQ at Mackay to cook up some breakie's and sat overlooking the beach watching some nasty dark clouds rolling in. So arrived at Airlie beach in the rain after some 490k (longest journey) and happy to be there for 4 nights to explore the Whitsunday Islands.

Having arrived late we headed for the closest bar /restaurant; the 'Jubilee Bar 'which was a bit like a 'Moons' but friendly and food ok. Up early next day to skype with Andrew and Kaytie then off to book some trips to the islands. Walked into town through the Saturday market stalls, went through as quickly as we could but Sue still found something (not quick enough!).

Made a B line for the beach and such a shame to see the lovely beach and ocean totally deserted due to the threat of stingers. To compensate Airlie have a large, man-made sea water lagoon close by to the beach so we stopped there a while for refreshments and a swim. Returned to sailing club for dinner with a brilliant view of Airlie beach and arrived just in time for a great sunset - unfortunately the food was not as good as the view (first really bad meal, oh well).

Up early (6am) to skype with Matthew and Rachael and then off to the marina at 7.30 for a catamaran trip on the 'Camira' around the Whitsunday Islands. Sailed off in lovely clear blue skies, warm even then and the first leg of the trip took us to 'Daydream Island' to pick up more passengers. Daydream Island looks to be as contrived as its name and is mainly a spa resort. Whilst moored though we did get to see the wild beach wallabys hopping along the sands!

Once we had a full complement we headed north of Whitsunday Island where we were able to spend a good hour snorkelling over the Great Barrier Reef - how lovely was that? Viewed some amazing live coral and beautiful marine life but yes stingers in these waters too so got the chance to don our stinger suits in a less than attractive fashion!!

Moved off to Whitehaven beach; 7km of pristine white sands which may only be accessed from the sea, in fact the sand is so white that it never gets hot. Went for a swim in our lovely stinger suits then a nice long walk whereby we got to see several of the pesky, scary jelly fish shored on the beach. Returned to the boat for a BBQ (forgot to mention all drinks included, oh no!), then slow sail /cruise back along the south of the island close by to Hamilton island (6 star resort apparently!) and then back to Airlie Beach. Weather brilliant, a long day and some rather red faces by the end of the day but we loved it. Finished with a cocktail in the 'local' Jubilee Bar - well we set down roots for 4 days so Tom has to have a 'local'!

6am start again this time to skype with Mum, Dad, Jacqui and Devonlicious - these skypes make our early mornings totally worthwhile J We also get to appreciate the cacophony of birdsong in the relative quiet of the early morning. The birds really are extremely loud and they all seem to be vying for attention. They are also more vibrant in these tropical areas, difficult to recognise as unfamiliar but we did recognise 2 stunningly white birds as cockatoos (later learnt that they are platinum crested cockatoos) - these lovely birds would come to settle just outside of our campervan each morning.

2nd day - Another gorgeous day as we headed off to Hamilton Island on the Whitsunday ferry for an hours lovely sailing. As we neared the Islands we became aware that there were literally thousands of butterflies swarming around us and as far as we could see. We had noticed the butterflies yesterday although there were far fewer. Apparently these are Jezebel butterflies; a blue/violet, speckled butterfly and each year at this time they fly from the north to their breeding grounds in the south. The Whitsundays see the butterflies for two of these weeks and the season actually started yesterday so we were extremely lucky to see this rare and beautiful sight.

Arrived and jumped onto the local 'free' shuttle bus to explore the island. We found the Island to be quite Disneyesque but the views and natural habitat are breath-taking. Most of the locals and hotel guests travel around the island in golf buggies which looked great fun so went to rent one only to realise that our drivers licences were in the campervan, argh! Stopped at the main beach which carries the same warnings re: stingers but noticed a large swimming resort so stuck to the pools. Back to the Marina for lunch and then made our way back across the Island to "Tree Top view" for a stunning vista of the Whitsunday Islands and a cocktail. Ended up getting the last ferry back and lucky to see another great sunset on the way (sorry Teresa).

Off to Townsville (Magnetic Island) tomorrow.