Days in the sun

We stayed a couple of nights in Mackay. Mining boom, not much accommodation (caravan site or other) and what there is, well........... but it was a good place to get my ‘kitsch’ coasters to go with my Big Banana placemats. We did enjoy the Cape Hillsborough National Park, although why is it that walks in North Queensland National Parks are only 800m or less?

Eimo Hotel, Mackay

We did enjoy a drink at the Eimeo Beach Hotel though and the view from the pub was magnificent.


View from Eimo Hotel








Think we were both glad to arrive in Airlie Beach. Checked into the Adventure Whitsunday Resort posh name, but it is a caravan park....... or so it would seem.

Pool at Airlie Beach Caravan Park

We set up our camper and explored our digs, outdoor cinema (Dave took me on date to see Bee Movie), tennis, mini golf, resort pool complete with slides- yes we are going to enjoy our ‘holiday’ here!
Tuesday heralded the Melbourne Cup. I thought back to the previous year and others spent out at Randwick. Never fear, it really is the race that stops the nation as Airlie was in full swing for the ‘big race’. We caught the bus downtown and browsed the shops enroute to the pub. I even put on heels and make up for the occasion (how foreign now). I tried on a dress in one of the shops, and thought why not- it is Melbourne Cup. The assistant cut off the tag, and I was all set for my champers. We bought tickets in the sweep, and got all the favourites, but they didn’t do any good...... Oh well, home we went to tackle the slides after a couple of sherbs!
The next morn we awoke to get ready for our 3 island tour of the Whitsundays. Hook Island, where we went down the 1969 underwater observatory (the windows haven’t been cleaned since then) and watched fish of all descriptions pool around the jetty as they were fed.

Fish feeding, Great Barrier Reef

I can’t help but think that white bread rolls are not so good as a fish diet though. Then we boarded the ‘semi-sub’ to view the coral. Just as our captain was explaining the slow growth of these amazing animals, the sub scraped across some brain coral- never fear in a few hundred years it will be repaired. Then it was off for a snorkel- what I had been waiting for. I could hear Nemo calling me. Dave and I suited up (stinger season is upon us), and we were first out to the reef. Becoming part of the underwater world, allows you to block out all noises from above and fully take in the beauty. As I marvelled at the colourful soft and hard coral, I became aware that I was suddenly surrounded by fish large and small. Every direction I looked were fish, pretty as some where, it was a tad disconcerting. Mmm our Captain had been throwing bread near me to encourage them. I swam over to Dave, who was also underwater, and thought it would be fun to get mask to mask, alas a Parrot Fish thought that sort of behaviour was not acceptable. As I tried to shue him away, he spiked my finger! Oh well my ‘injury’ was nothing compared to Daves. He was hot on the tail of a fish, but as it dived under a ledge Dave would just not fit, and slam, his head bumping into some coral. A few grazes, but no infection.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays

After our underwater adventures, we then sailed to Whitehaven Beach. The pure white silica sand is finer than talcum powder and coupled with crystal clear waters, makes for an idyllic spot. The wildlife also agree- from the shore we could easily see stingrays and fish swimming nearby. However with the threat of the jellyfish, we remained in our stinger suits as we swam. Then it was onto Daydream Island Resort. The Whitsundays certainly are beautiful, however for me I would prefer Fiji or Asia for a tropical resort holiday. Still what else do you do at Daydream- enjoy a Mango Daiquiri in the pool- ahhhhhh.
After an exhausting day, we looked forward to a sleep in. Just needed that BB gun again. A family of Bush Stone Curlews (gee that bird book comes in handy for identifying the ones I want to shoot), were camped nearby. Their call sounds like someone is trying to strangle them, not a pleasant twitter at all. They are native to the entire east coast, however are near extinction down south...... I wonder why............ Still it was funny to see Dave as he walked back from the Ablution Block and was scared by Mum defending her chicks (see photo)-

Female Bush Stone Curlew, defending her chicks

her feathers spread and making a hissing sound.
We are glad to be spending summer ‘down south’ it has been 35 degrees during the day, with an overnight of 25 for the past couple of days and very humid. However, relief was in sight- yesterday we arrived at Eungella National Park. It is much cooler here- up on the mountain. We are quite literally staying on the top of the mountain. After driving through the plain below, we took the 5km ascent. Five km may not sound like much, but it is 800m up a VERY steep and windy road. My head was soon in the clouds, but my heart was in my mouth until we finally made it to the top. But oh, what a view of the valley below!

View from Eungella down the valley below

We took off for a walk in the rainforest (there are long walks up here too) and enjoyed the coolness. Eungella is famous for platypus spotting. However, we remained sceptical. I have been told where platypus can be seen before, but only ever managed a fleeting glimpse. Just as we were discussing such, we saw one in the water, he soon dived, but it was still an amazing sight. There was more to come though and we both marvelled at how many platypus we saw and how long they frolicked within clear view, staying on the surface for extended lengths. Certainly worth the ‘climb’ up the mountain.
Platypus at Eungella

That evening Dave bought a friend to bed, waking my up at 4.30am to remove the tick from his thigh. We dozed off again only to be woken by the resident rooster. I quite enjoy the sound of his call though and snuggled in bed as the sun rose from the valley below.