The Whitsundays, Magnetic Island and Mission Beach

The Whitsundays are definitely wonderful place to visit; it is our second favorite place after Great Keepel Island. We joined a one day cruise around the Whitsunday, visiting 3 islands, spending time snorkeling and otherwise enjoying our selves. Though we both don't like organized tours, the group size was rather small and the people o.k. ;-)

Australia Museum - Aboriginal Art

Snorkeling was wonderful, to see the colorful fish and huge corals, we wished we could have done some scuba diving. The next day, we rented two sleek sea kayaks and of we went. For me, this was one of the best things to do in the Whitsundays; if we had more time it would have been well worth kayaking for a couple of days and camping on different islands. From the Whitsundays, we left for Townsville and jumped straight on the ferry to Magnetic Island. There, I rented a mbike and biked around the Island while Diana explored the area and otherwise relaxed. The next day, we hiked to Forts Lookout as the weather turned sour and snorkeling and kayaking wasn't an option. But, we did get to see two Koala's in the trees!! And yes, they are very cute and cuddly, but wild.

Australia Museum - Aboriginal Exhibition

Now, we are in Mission Beach where we are planning to explore the rainforest. It's rainy and cloudy but it should not deter us from enjoying our last 2 days on the east coast. Well, we did wander along the beach, found a coconut and cracked it so we had something to eat. The weather was miserable and so we decided to head to Cairns a bus earlier. In Cairns, we splurged on a great dinner and beer and then wandered the streets before heading to the airport to camp out there so we could save money on a hostel. Did I mentions that Aussies are cool? While traipsing along the highway to towards the airport, a cool pickup stopped just for us to take us to the airport. The guy was sooooo nice as he saw us wandering around at night. So, he decided to give us a lift to the airport, no questions asked. What a man!!

Australia Museum - The Stolen Generation

After getting back to Sydney, we stayed for one night at the schoolhouse hostel in the red light district of Kings Cross. During the day, Diana went to the contemporary arts museum and I visited the Australia Museum where i learned a lot about aboriginal culture and life, about the creatures that inhabit the continent, harmless and deathly ones and the evolution of life in the Pacific. The next day, we left for the town of Goulburn to meet with our servas hosts Pauline and Pad who won a 1200 acre sheep and cattle farm 30 minutes from Goulburn. Pad keeps merino sheep and a crossbreed of border leicester/merinos in addition to Angus cattle. There are also Rosie the dog and Buff the big, fat cat. Pauline still works in Sydney 4 days a week and return top the farm Thursday night. Pad used to work in horticulture for about 15 years running his own business in Sydney. The farm is huge and besides the animals there are flocks of white crested cockatoos and galahs. Both are very easy going, warm and welcoming people who made us feel right at home. I felt so much at home that I stayed another 2 days after Diana had left for Sydney to head back to the US.

Australia Museum - Yothu Yindi

Goulburn - with Pad and Pauline

Goulburn - with servas hosts Pad and Pauline

Mission Beach - yummy coconut

Sea Kayaking in the Whitsundays

Sea Kayaking in the Whitsundays2

Sea Kayaking in the Whitsundays3

Sea Kayaking in the Whitsundays4

Townsville - among the figtrees in Memorial Park

Townsville - Tarzan and Jane