Where are the koalas?

Up early for our 7.30 am bus Townsville further down the coast. Got the bus with Premier Bus Service - cheapest service which runs once a day and could do 3 stops between Cairns and Sydney for $160 each. Only problem was (apart from the drivers who thought they were comedians) the dodgy videos they played. This journey we had 'Snow Dogs' which has to contend for one of the worst films I have seen although it almost made it amusing, but at least it was mindless. Had decided after much toing and froing (and not just because we were both still moving from the boat) that we would spend a couple of chill out days off the coast of Townsville on Magnetic Island. Bus took a few hours to Townsville and then got a local bus and then the ferry (about 20 mins) to Maggie Island followed by a bus to where we were staying on the quieter north coast - Horseshoe Bay. Staying at Maggies Beach House which was ok, great location and pool. Spent the afternoon on the beach

Horseshoe Bay at Night

and swam in the stinger enclosure (cos of the jelly fish) and watched the sunset over the bay with a bottle of wine. Hostel did meals for $4 each which was great so went for that. Next day up early to sit by the pool for a few hours before we did one of the island's walks - we did the one that you can see the tours and other buildings left from WWII when it was used to protect the area from fighter jets. Main reason I wanted to do the walk was you could allegedly see koalas on the path (well in the trees), however not long after we left it got quite blowy and a

Some of the local wildlife

bit showery so think they were all indoors. When we reached the top tower it was pretty gusty but the view over the local little bays and Townsville was still beautiful. Had another obligatory bottle of wine here before we went back down and fortunately got home without getting too wet. Another $4 meal and bed.

View from "The Forts"