First off, the kangaroo is the perfect animal - cute, unusual and incredibly good cooked rare with a plum sauce. So good, in fact, that it didn't matter that the knives only arrived after we'd finished eating (the same hostess left the till open in front of us while she went off to play with the dog that had walked into the kitchen behind her; good job I'm honest, isn't it).

A pretty uneventful bus ride down to Townsville. The police at the ferry terminal decided I looked a little too much like someone they were looking for, and were disappointed to hear I'd been on a bus all afternoon (thanks Justin, by the way, for the heroic "walk away and pretend I don't know him" routine). The folks at Base on Magentic Island proved beyond question that electronic check-in systems are more trouble than they're worth (see later...). Had a good night in the hostel bar, with the local comedy circuit picking the ideal time to drop in for the night.

Woke to find two guys sharing a single bunk. Not all that unusual, you might think, except that we had met on the bus and they most certainly were not a couple. In fact I could go so far as to say they were not best pleased. Turns out, the numpties at Base had over booked the room - 9 in an 8-bed dorm. Apparently, someone had even told them the day before that the room was over booked, only to be assured that it wasn't ( a "computer says no" moment). Hurrah for computers and the people who use them.

Took a trip to the wildlife sanctuary. Packed full of weird and wonderful creatures, the main attraction was the koalas. Shame they don't really do anything as such. Even so, with snakes, lizards and a man-hating bird (it speaks to women but runs/hops away from men) and it was well worth the trip.

Next morning it was time for some sea-kayaking action around the bay outside the hostel (perfect location, eh?). Tried a bit of surfing (on the kayak) - it works really well.

Too soon though, it's time to head south again. Next stop - Airlie Beach (photos soon, promise).