Mackay 26/5-27/5

We drove onto Mackay for a couple of days. This is the lighthouse in the harbour at Marina Village.



David in front of Lamberts Beach from Slade Point viewing area.



The weather was overcast and rained intermittently so the waters looked a little rougher than usual.



Even though it was dull Jayne took some time to sit and take in the views across Eimeo Beach.



On Bucasia Beach we spotted hundreds of blue Soldier Crabs running across the sand and burying themselves in the shallow waters.

The Whitsunday Islands - Daydream Island 25/5

Our final destination for the day was Daydream Island. We shared our boat to the Island with a load of workmen who had finished work for the day on the new constructions on Hamilton Island. They finished about 3.00pm and nearly every single one of them walked to the boat from their golf buggies with a bottle or can of beer in their hand and a couple more in their portable eskies. Just the end of another working day in Oz !



On reaching Daydream Island David took some time out to relax and lie back in a hammock.



Whilst we where there we saw yet another 'Prawn on the Barbie'.



David also spent some time to make a new friend.



And here's Jayne taking a break on the pier.

The Whitsunday Islands - Hamilton Island 25/5

Next we visited Hamilton Island, the most developed of the 74 Islands that make up the Whitsunday group. The Whitsundays where named by none other than Captain James Cook and why, because he sailed through here on Whit Sunday. We also visited over the Whitsunday holiday weekend.



We walked up a steep hill to reach the pretty All Saints Chapel. This is a location we ourselves considered when we were getting married, but we thought that as there was only the two of us we would feel lost in the chapel on our own, so we chose Palm Cove instead



Here's Jayne at the viewpoint from the Chapel grounds, overlooking Catseye Beach.



The Island was full of wildlife. There were many Sulpher-Crested Cockatoo's around waiting for fish and chips from people, just as we would see the seagulls waiting at home. This one was satisfied with it's natural food of nuts from the native trees.



There were also a number of Rainbow Lorikeets, however they were happy to just sit in the trees and look pretty rather than pestering for food.



The main street of Hamilton Island near the harbour had a few small shops.



There were also lots of golf buggies which are the main form of transport around the Island. The locals and resort hotel staff drive around in them at speed, and you can hire one too if you wish.

The Whitsunday Islands - Whitehaven Beach 25/5

We left Shute Harbour near Airlie Beach for a cruise around the Whitsunday Islands. When we started the weather was overcast and very windy creating swells of up to 1.8 metres. It was certainly very choppy but we felt OK.

First stop was Whitsunday Island and the famous white sands of Whitehaven Beach. Fortunately just after arriving the dark clouds disappeared and the sun came out for the rest of our stay revealing the white sand and azzure coloured sea in all their glory.

Jayne taking a dip. We only ventured to thigh depth into the water as there were still stingers around. However we were very tempted to go further as it looked so inviting as it was warm and crystal clear. One girl did get stung and an ambulance was waiting for her when we disembarked from the ship.

The sand is actually silica and Whitehaven Beach is definately the highlight of the Whitsunday Islands.

The area is a national park and there are only a few people on the beach at any one time. Some take an expensive plane trip to the beach for a champagne picnic.

Airlie Beach 24/5

Having woke up at 4.30am to watch the Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan we were soon on the road again and had arrived in Airlie Beach by 9.30 am.

The camp site was home to a large Goanna which was making a tour of the picnic and bbq areas hoping for some scraps. The camp site was also home to lots of Kookaburras.



Airlie Beach has a large man made lagoon for safe swimming. The area was populated by lots of backpackers sunbathing (or nursing hangovers) under the mostly grey skies.



This is the beach in the town. Airlie Beach is full of bars and restaurants and the resort is the main base from which to explore the Whitsunday Islands.

Bowen 23/5

We made a one night stop at Bowen. The town is currently host to a film set. The film is called 'Australia' directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. They are in town for 6 weeks. We were able to watch some scenes being filmed from a distance.



This is supposed to be Darwin in the late 1930's. A whole section of the town has been recreated into the set including a whole street.



We also toured some of Bowen's surrounding areas. This is the view from Flagstaff Hill. You can walk over to the lighthouse at very low tide but you have to be quick if you want to make it back before the tide.



Bowen is famous for its murals of which there are 24 in the town.





We visited some of the local bays and beaches. This is Horseshoe Bay. We also visited Grays Bay and Rose Bay.

David was doing a spot of rock climbing today, but he didn't know at the time that he was standing overlooking the nudist beach with his camera in hand.

Cardwell 20/5 to 21/5

As part of our leisurely tour of the Queensland coast we stopped at Cardwell for a couple of nights. On the first afternoon we spent some time on the beach (below) overlooking Hinchinbrook Island. We later overheard some locals talking about a large crocodile having been seen on the beach a few days earlier. The same beach we had been lying on ! Of course we didn't go onto the beach the following day. We also saw a large group of rangers trying to contain a crocodile within the confines of the nearby national park.



Cardwell was the first port to be settled in North Queensland. Some of its buildings were built in 1870.



Here's a more modern creation. The 'Big Crab' a landmark which can be seen as you drive through the town on the Bruce Highway.



A modern marina has been built called Port Hinchinbrook featuring new houses, hotels and restaurants.

Mission Beach 18/5 - 19/5

Our next stop was a couple of days in Mission Beach south of Innisfail. The Mission Beach area is actually a number of beaches and we stayed at Wongaling Beach. The area was very laid back and not too busy. Perfect for a couple of days relaxation.



Jayne on Wongaling Beach with Dunk Island in the background.



Mission Beach is an area where the Cassowary bird lives. This is as close as we got to seeing one (its a model !). They are larger in real life reaching a height of upto 2 metres tall and can be dangerous as they possess a razor sharp claw.



We took a quick drive to see the local surrounds. This is Garner Beach which was virtually deserted for a Saturday morning. It felt like you were on location for the programme 'Lost'.



David overlooking Bingel Bay.



David had a look in the rainforest to see if there were any Cassowaries. Unfortunately there were only cobwebs and the most dangerous stinging plants in the world. More dangers in the wonderful world of Oz.



Our camp site was very spacious. We found another Redback spider under the caravan and there was a toad in the camp site toilet. Close to nature again !

Palm Cove 14/5 to 17/5

Can you guess where this is ? We decided to pose for some photos in a familiar place.






Yes we are back in Palm Cove, where we got married over 4 years ago.



This time the weather was mixed and there was no luxurious hotel only a caravan site.



However it was great to be back for a few days of relaxation.

These are Bush Stone-Curlews. They make a wer-looo sound which sounds quite haunting when heard in the middle of the night. We had previously heard them in Kakadu but didn't know what they were then.

Cairns' Northern Beaches & Kuranda 15/5

We took a day trip out to see some of the local area. Despite not having a beach in the city Cairns' northern coast has some amazing beaches. This is Clifton Beach. We also visited Kewarra Beach, Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob.



Despite the beautiful beaches the seas hold many dangers.



Next we drove up into the Atherton Tablelands to Kuranda. We went a walk in the rainforest.



We saw some familiar faces hanging in the trees, a Golden Orb Web Spider. Only a few days earlier David had found a dangerous Redback spider had spun a web under our caravan. Although we are now out of the outback there are still dangers around every corner.



Our walk took us to Barron Falls.




We had visited the area previously over 6 years ago when we took trips on the railway and the Skyrail cablecar.



We browsed around the Kuranda shops and markets after lunch. We also visited the attactive Railway Station where the Kuranda Scenic Railway runs to and from.