Airlie and Townsville.....

Hello from Townsville.....

We had a wonderful time at Airlie Beach, stayed at the Big 4 just a few km's out of Airlie. Very exciting, we finally met some other families doing the same thing as us, doing the great aussie trip all the way around. Two families had been on the road since January, like us and another family just travelling for 3 months or so. Very refreshing to chat about their experiences and plans.

The Big 4 was brilliant, one of the best parks we have stayed at so far. Had great pool with slides, jumping pillow, playground, tennis court - even had kids club, which I took advantage of. The kids went for 2.5 hours to do craft, games etc, so we had a break (first one ever, with no children at all), all I did was clean the van.......!!!

I have included a photo of Luke and Jacinta doing school work, we usually do this in the mornings while still fresh, unless we go somewhere for the day. In this photo, Dominic is still asleep!! It can be interesting trying to get everyone to bed at a reasonable hour some nights.

While at Airlie Beach, we travelled out to four of the Whitsunday Islands for a day tour. Left home at 6.15 am to board ferry at 6.45 am. We visited Daydream Is, Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island and Long Island and were back by 5.45 pm, what an amazing day. The beaches at Whitehaven were beautiful, and we could go swimming as the stingers are not common this time of the year. Benn and the kids went snorkelling off Hook Island, and the kids went swimming in the pool while Benn and I enjoyed a drink at Long Island Resort, very nice.

We found the sandflies to be rather bad at Airlie, similar to Yamba, Luke's legs are covered with bites, I am the next prone. Discovered rid seems to be the best product for keeping them away, would prefer the natural products, but yet to try some suggested. Now we are in Townsville they don't seem to be a problem thank goodness.

Also while at Airlie Benn went fishing for a whole day with a fellow traveller friend, Barry. They had a great day and caught two 'sooty grunter' (not sure if I have the spelling correct), we cooked them in the oven and they tasted great!

We arrived at Townsville on Friday, had lovely day yesterday at The Strand. It is a water park along the beach with many playgrounds, rock pool and includes an area on the beach with a stinger net. All of us went swimming in the rock pool, the stingers make me rather nervous even if they are not meant to be out this time of the year. Apparently, November to May is the worse time. Today we went to the Tropical Queensland Museum, it was very interesting. One floor was very similar to Questacon in Canberra, with many interactive science activites. We also learnt about some expeditions to the south magnetic pole (I guess link to Magnetic Island?), the Pandora, English shipwreck off the Townsville coast, and many other interesting things.

Planning at this stage to stay in Townsville for a few more days, off to the Aquarium tomorrow. Then a visit to Magnetic Island, special meaning for Benn as his deceased Godfather Uncle Peter lived and worked there for many years.