Hotel Allen Townsville

... to Townsville. After a pleasant bus journey that took just over 5 hours we arrived in Townsville for a night before getting on another boat tomorrow to take us to ferry us across to Magnetic Island, not sure of where the name comes from but sure we'll find out. I doubt if the whole island is magnetic that would just be silly, we have heard that the island has the largest number of wild Koala's for the area. <br>This afternoon was taken up ...

We pulled for a one nighter in Townsville, then we were heading down the coast to Brisbane, We went through Ayr and for those that don't know we lived about 10 miles from Ayr when we stayed in Scotland. <br>We pulled in to few places on the way including Airlie Beach which was very nice. As we think we will be settling this side of the big country we ...

... 8211; a French Canadian called Fabian who unfortunately drew the short straw and ended up in the kayak with me! Isabella went with Steve and Imogen with Paul. After all the form filling (no liability for Steve if we injured ourselves or worse), safety talk and equipment usage, we were ready to hit the water (not literally I hope!). <br><br>We nearly crashed straight into a rather expensive-looking catamaran as Fabian hadn&#8217;t understood the finer ...

... The doc put some steristrips just to support the wound and we've bandaged it to protect it against all those dirty and rugged things little boys get up to.... tree climbing for one! The kids played with other kids around camp while Jeremy and I packed up as much as possible in preperation for leaving tomorrow. <br>

Day 2<br><br>Up super early (5am) Simon and I had coffee and made some breakfast before waking the kids. All kids up and dressed by 6am. on the Road by 6:15am. Stopped in Mackay around 11 for coffee with Narelle but alas her power was off so cordial it was :) Poor Jacob wasn't well this day. high temps and just moserable<br><br>Stopped in Bowen to ...

... wirklich schön und lohnensw**t. <br><br>Nach dem wir in Airlie wied** angekommen waren, machten wir uns **st mal sofort auf den Weg zum Koala Resort und Camping Platz, wo wir einfach heimlich die Toiletten und Duschen nutzten. Die Dusche tat gut! Frisch und fröhlich machten wir uns (mit einem Stop bei Coles, wo wir Lebensmittel einkauften) auf den Weg nach Townsville. <br><br>Auf dem Weg lag Bowen. Bekannt? Nö? Mir auch nicht. Mein Lonely Planet sagte mir ab**, dass d** Film ...

... Or at least we could but we couldn't leave it overnight outside our classy accomodation at Base backpackers. So we ended up driving off in a pink topless daihatsu!<br><br> We checked in at Base near Nelly Bay and were shown into our very own hut on the beach, with direct views over the water. We then headed off in car #1 down to the golf course for 9 holes. It had been a while since Luce had picked up a stick and needless ...

... Trouble is they have thirteen poisonous spines on their back and are easy to step on if you go walking along in the water. If you do it's a definite trip to hospital and sometimes worse. Scary!! We had an awesome time here getting an insight into this highly complex underwater world. It's so fascinating and we were both eager to learn more. There is just some many different interesting fish ranging in size, weirdness and colour. We are really taken by it all. Oh danger!

... settled on a backpackers which was close to the station and very central, but we still had to phone a number on the front door because the person in charge had also buggered off early! <br><br>He gave us the combination to ...

... Shark (looked like a dogfish)<br>Christmas Tree Worms, giant Clams, Parrotfish and a HUGE Maori Wrasse!<br>It was seriosly the size of toby (and it had massive lips!!) later that<br>day we had to catch the greyhound down to Mission beach , but alice<br>managed to get herself some mild sunstroke! Whey!! (I didnt sit out in<br>the sun for long, but its so intense you just dont realise) So after<br>drinking some stuff that tasted like sweat and ...