East Coast Update

It's not that we've just been lazy with blog writing, it's just that fun packed activities are a bit thin on the ground on the East Coast of Australia. It's been cool, though, it's at least given us a chance to save a bit of money and do a pit of relaxing by the pool and tan top-up!

We left Hervey Bay (see last entry) and headed North for Bundaberg. Bundaberg is famous for making Ginger Beer and Rum. Being extremely fond of the ginger delights that come from the Bundaberg Factory, Darren insisted we seek out a factory tour. Much to his excitement, we found 'The Bundaberg Barrel', a short interactive tour on the history of Bundaberg Ginger Beer. I can hear you yawning!!!! It was actually really good! Designed for [big] kids, the museum is shaped like a giant barrel! And after you have sufficiently played around with all the gadjets and gismos and watched the slightly freaky hologram theatre show of Bundaberg's history, you get a taster of each of the 8 naturally brewed Bundaberg soft drinks. Funtastic!

A tip off from the Bundaberg giftshop assistant told us that there was going to be a whole lot of nothing from now until the Whitsunday Islands so we should use the next couple of days to do some hardcore driving. Could we handle more nothingness?? At least we didn't have any panpipes on the iPod!

2 days later we arrived at Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach is the 'Gateway to the Whitsunday Islands'. This is some of what you can expect from the 74 Whitsundays islands. Popular activities include 1, 2 and 3 day sailing trips on varying budgets, which take you around the islands, stopping at beaches along the way for some tanning action and snorkling around the inner Barrier Reef. However, weather report stated wind: 15-20 knots, condition: rough. We agreed that sailing was likely to result in hurling so we went with a half day trip from Salty Dog Sea Kayaking for the more energetic way of seeing some of the islands.

We headed out of the bay in a tandem kayak, paddling towards 'White Rock' where we'd be stopping for a light snack. Battling against a 20 knot headwind started being NOT FUN aproximately 10 minutes into the journey so you can imagine how frayed our tempers had become at the 50 minute mark when White Rock came into view. Coupled with the severly stinging eyes from salt water, wind and rain, we arrived at White Rock with faces like 2 smacked botties. But then the sun came out (hooray) and after our snack and a bit of snorkling, we had a lovely leasurely paddle back to the harbour with the wind behind us ;o)

Airlie Beach was so nice, we ended up staying a 3 nights. When the pool became too boring we went on a 5.5km bush walk. This was amazing! All was going swimmingly until we encountered a 1 metre long Goanna. Harmless to us I was absolutely facinated by him but for the rest of the 2 hour trek, I was super-paranoid one of us might step on a snake.

From Airlie we took a 3 hour drive to Townsville. Townsville is 1 notch up on the boring scale to Dargaville (See NZ blog). However, you can catch a barge over to Magnetic Island from here, which is exactly what we decided to do.

Magnetic Island is so called because when Captain Cook discovered these shores in 1770, his compass "went a big funny' when he passed by. We visited a couple of the beaches - Picnic Bay was like a Ghost Town and we ended up having an entire pier to ourselves.

We were then onto the last leg of our driving extravaganza as we headed on to Cairns via Mission Beach.

Last night we arrived in Port Douglas and checked into our nice little apartment overlooking the pool. It's a little more holiday-destination up here rather than backpacker-route so more lounging by the pool to be had methinks! We also have a couple of trips booked for the next couple of days (hopefully no grey army) and internet is quick and cheap so we'll keep you posted!

Love Lou... and Darren, who's gone in search of Moke hire ;0)