Comfort Inn Robert Towns Townsville

... called into Rollingstone en-route to search for the camping area that we had been unable to locate on the way up. It was clear why, when we realised that it was actually some way off the main highway. It was a quiet and pleasant stopping place beside a creek with a swimming hole, which claims to allow up to 48 hours camping without charge. However, we talked to a hairy motorcyclist there who says that the rangers are not really concerned provided you are quiet and keep ...

... to visit turned out to be ‘The Strand’, the 2.5km foreshore precinct. The Strand has been beautifully developed with luscious green grass and foliage, heaps of picnic areas and playgrounds and two fantastic water activity areas, all of this looks magnificent set against Magnetic Island as the backdrop. The first water park we discovered was an instant hit with Jacob, Claire was not too impressed as it was essentially a playground with water ...

Risk of Injury - Low

Kms Travelled - 670
Places I went. Straight up the highway to townsville
Highlights - The colours of sunrise in Marlborough, talking to strangers. The little girls with their dad and grandad who told me that even though there are signs that say there are crocodiles, there are none in Townsville creeks, just long toms, grunter and brim". Very cute
Townsville, Queensland, Australia soiuxtribe

Went to church in the morning - half the family walked as we didn't all fit in the car. The rest of the day was spent lazing around - going for a walk down the park again. Didn't do too much but was good catching up with mum and dad and nice having extra people around to distract the kids every once in a while and had fun playing Rummikub after the kids were in bed. Thanks again for making the effort to come and visit mum and dad! We really loved having you here.

After Whitsundays we went back to Airlie Beach a had some wicked nights out. Unfortunately we had drunken old traveller men for roommates. They didnt exactly speak very good English, but in the end we taught them some drinking games and was quite funny. Woke up to a giant snake outside our room in the morning : S
Yesterday we got a ferry to Magnetic Island and I went snorkelling. Here the coral is so ...

... was sitting at the table opposite us i was in shock! i was so happy that he was there, bit sad really! so we had our brunch, and i couldn't help keep looking over! shocking! anyway, rosemary asked if i could have a picture, so when they got up to leave we went over and i shock robbie's hand, said iwas from back on the wirral and had a little chat, before getting a pic with him. what a bonus that was! made ...

... my crime number....
Meanwhile I go to an internet cafe and cancel my credit cards. I also go to a bank to change some travellers cheques - and a few days before I was thinking I shouldn't have bothered getting any as I hadn't used them much.... but no luck: no passeport or drivers licence to prove my identity means no possibility to change them... even with a copy of my passport and the police statement!!!.... what the f*** am I supposed to do then?... I am frustrated by the ...

... with school kids, scouts and cadets. There was also a plane flyover! After the parade was finished we spent most of the day relaxing in and by the Rock pool which is a kind of sea-water swimming pool in the beach. In the evening we had a great barbecue - of barbecued kangaroo steaks and salad! It was delish and wasn't too long before we fell asleep. Magnetic Island On Sunday morning, after some difficulty in setting off (our ...

... back, a kangaroo crossed our way!!We were thinking "ok, now we are in Australia". We drove up the mountain to see the other waterfalls. The view from the driving would have been nice except in was the end of the day and the fog was settling in. Every two kilometer on the road, you pass a creek. I don't know how they can even still find names for their creeks. We are actively looking for Dawson's creek!
Slept in Townsville

... so I already made the reservation there today: the Bungalow Bay Koala Village. That's also the place where Jenny finally gets to see (and hold!) a koala. She's the only one so much looking forward to that, because I already had my picture with a koala at Brisbane. So, and now, well... It's Dec 31. Looks like it's New Years Eve! There's gonna be a barbecue here at the guest house (hey, of course! we're in Australia! :-)), and what we're doing after that, that's still to decide ...