Time to Turn back
Trip Start
Apr 17, 2006
1
22
24
Trip End
Aug 05, 2006
Townsville,
Australia
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Myself and Ciara knew we had to turn back soon and go back south in preparation for our flight home.
We had heard Townsville was lovely. Built around a hill,the gateway to Magnetic Island and of course The Great Barrier Reef.
On the way up as usual we stopped overnight at the free campsites we could find. But one place we stopped at - just 100k south of Townsville was one of the most luxurious.
It was called the Comfort Stop in a place called Home Hill.
This place had a sheltered kitchen with hot plates, sinks, tables, piped music and beside it clean as you like bathrooms with hot showers - all for free!!
A sea Cucumber under the reef
When we arrived in Towsville, the weather was starting to pick up.
We drove the 2km up Castle Hill to get the panoramic view of Townsville. We were still disappointed at not seeing the barrier reef, so we decided to look into the day trips from Townsville.
We end up getting a trip, leaving 2 days later on a large speedboat and bringing us out to Wheelers Reef where we could snorkel.
Although a bit out of out budget, we thought it was cheaper then having to come back to do it later in our trip.
The only possible stumbling block was the winds - but as long they were no more than 15-20 knots we could sail.
On the day they were 15-20 knots and we did sail. Although the boats fitted about 24 passengers, there was only 10, so plenty of room.
On a side note, one bit of disappointment about snorkelling in the Whitsundays was the amount of the people/boats/dingys there. It was far to crowded.
Where we were going, there was nobody else going to be there
Heading out to the reef
. We had Wheelers Reef to ourselves.We arrived just before lunchtime, and what an amazing sight it was.
There was no land to be seen around us, and there sticking out of the ocean was a sandbank (48km from land) with all wonderful colours around us in the water.
Although we had very choppy waters, the snorkelling was unreal - and tiring due to the heavy current, but an experience to remember.
Unfortunately we did not see any sea turtles or sea snakes etc but to snorkel in the middle of the ocean - in the middle of The Great Barrier Reef for that matter, seeing all the beautiful coral and fish in this perfectly clear water where you can see the sand on the sea bed was an experience of a life time. Money well spent.
The next day we prepared to head back to Brisbane and Phil and Julie continued north.
