Queensland wandering boots: Day 4 cruising Whitsundays

 

By the numbers

1 boat11.3 kms walking

15437 steps

 

The day was still a little bit windy and cloudy, although the weather site said it would be clearing and I was hoping that it would. I would be out on a boat all day as part of a tour to some of the Whitsunday islands. Being my birthday, I thought this would be a great idea and I was going to have breakfast at the cafe where we were meant to meet up, although as usual I got there with enough time to eat and go for a wander before returning to check in before the boat left.

I got the middle row to myself even though it was a full boat and I was thinking along the way to Chalkies Beach where we would have out first stop to go snorkelling that I might not want to try that as there waas the wind chill factor to think about once I got out of the water. I didn’t want to have a cold when I reached Townsville or else there might be problems with the city having issues at the moment. On the way I was reading a book quite happily as there were people grabbing seasick bags to have a technicolour yawn and hand them back to dispose of to the crew. I wasn’t feeling ill at all even with the boat rocking and rolling against the swell and wind. I should say I wasn’t bothered by it at all and people did notice me reading especially the crew. It took around an hour to get to our destination and that also meant we would be out of phone reception for most of the day. I would know what was happening once I returned to the main land. People were going swimming and I was happy to jump onto the tender and get a ride to the beach where I stayed until we were picked up again when the snorkelling finished. I did learn something about the shorts. I havnt worn these shorts for several years and forgot I even had them until I found them in my wardrobe. The pockets come with buttons as in the main pockets and that way I wouldn’t worry about my phone falling into the water as I used that as my main form of picture taking.

 

Before we left for out next destination, we had lunch and that for me included a bun, mean, potato salad and greek salad with feta. These were on real plates and they did put them in a crate afterwards so they would be cleaned later. I could have gotten a drink on the tab, which would be paid back later, but I was happy with my water. The next destination was Whitehaven Beach, which apparently has been voted one of the best beaches in Australia. The sand is meant to be good for your skin too. I wanted to take a wander as we had nearly 2 hours to do what we wanted and I was wanting to see the lookouts. Being a cloudy day, you wouldn’t get to see the spectacular blue from the ocean. It didn’t worry me, although the clouds full of rain kind of did. I hoofed it back down the hill again as this was the first thing I did and I popped out on a different section of the beach. There was plenty of people around and several of the local wildlife crawling around looking for food. Once back on the beach, I still had time to wait for the pickup time and I sat on the beach watching the water for a little bit. That would be where we would head to our last destination.

The next destination was Whitsunday Island where we would be walking up as a group to the lookouts named 1, 2 and 3. The beach was really busy when we arrived and people were everywhere with one that seemed like a party cruise. As a group that soon spread out going up the hill we climbed for around 10 mins when we got to the windswept lookouts, there wa sa little bit of time before we made our way down and I stopped at some of the info signs along the way that gave little bits of information about the area and animals in the area. By the time we got back to the boat the beach was deserted and that was actually our last destination for the day before we headed back to Airlie Beach. Soon we were back into phone service and I was looking at the updates I had from the day that I caught up on. The last thing I did before heading back to the hostel was to have dinner at Hogs Breath. At first I thought I would have to reserve a seat or needed to as in the main section of town it was extremely busy. When I got to the far end of town it was quiet, although it wasn’t a long walk at all. I was able to get straight in as it was getting dark.

Queensland wandering boots: Day 3 off to Airlie Beach

By the numbers

15.94kms

21271 steps

 

The day started off early as I wanted to checkout before anything happened and in case they had to check the room to see if I had used the food and drinks in the mini bar. I hadn’t as I knew those would cost me. As I had no problems getting away, I headed to the bus stop with sandwiches in tow as I had found some food along the way as I tend to do, but without the coffee. The first bus to arrive was the Greyhound, but that wasn’t mine as I was waiting for the Premier and he wasn’t far behind. It was meant to be a 2 hour trip into Airlie Beach and I was watching the clouds darken the further north we went. By the time we reached Proserpine it was raining and I was realising that I might have a wet day.

We followed the weather into Airlie Beach and I was sniggering at the bus driver telling someone that if the rest of his group isn’t there in the next couple of minutes, then he would leave without them. I don’t know how people can be late for the bus when the rules tell you to be there around 20 mins before it arrives. It was windy and the clouds were hovering around Airlie Beach. I used my map to send me in the right direction to Airlie Beach township as I had been doped off at Airlie Port.It looked as though the whole town had been rebuilt and it probably had since I was last there 18 years ago when the Nokia were a huge deal over every other phone. No internet on your phone back then. I still have the same phone number too. I found the hostel and being before 10am and totally before check in at 2pm, I was able to get my room there and then. This made me happy as I could then drop my bags off and do whatever I wanted.

 

The whatever I wanted was a quick walk around the block while looking for tours that I wanted to do on my birthday, I ended up choosing the boat tour as I couldn’t do the flight as it was booked out and it would mean Thursday on the plane when I want to visit Hamilton Island. I think I am going to try snorkling, so that will be fun me actually swimming. Before long I stopped at Maccas and realising they had a coffee maker problem. Their coffee maker went home and the girl left behind didn’t know what to do, so a manager came around 5 mins later. This was my first coffee and it was around 11am, at least I relaxed while drinking it at a seat before moving off. I soon found there were paths in the local town that I never knew existed that took me all the way to Cannonvale along the beach to and from the marina. I didn’t mean to end up in Cannonvale, but I went that far and since I was hungry, I found the shopping centre and got two sausage rolls before starting my journey back.

The walk back was rerouted to going up the hill instead of around the marina, so I was walking uphill so that I could get a good view of Airlie Beach on the way up and down the hill. I wanted decent pictures of the blue ocean waters, but everything was a little windswept and cloudy. But the deeper water meant that there was that stunning blue I was looking for. I wandered through town stopping to look at Hogsbreath thinking of steak dinner for Wednesday before stopping at the hostel to cool off in my hostel room that was a single room with balcony facing the road. I even have the drive through bottle shop across the road. After an hour or so reading a book just relaxing in the air con for a little bit, I decided on another walk.

The reason for this walk was to find where I had to meet up for my boat trip in the morning, but I wanted to have breakfast there while waiting, so then I can have my morning coffee. The clouds were threatening rain and I walked over to where I had caught the bus as I was wondering if I had found an actual ferry terminal to the islands. I still have no idea, but think I would rather get the bus to Shute Harbour anyway. The rain was actually really want to do what rain does and I didn’t want to get wet on the way back to the room. I made it as far as getting pizza and back to my room before it started raining just on dark. I got a small pizza and that made me happy unlike when I eat a normal size pizza.

Still I was keeping up with the news about what was happening and I think I should be alright with the lockdown in Townsville as that ends on Friday and I get there Friday afternoon and it will have ended by 6pm Friday night, so we shall see what happens. At the moment everything is positive and I have a seat on a bus that is still running north. The world is doing strange things and I make sure I am keeping up with everything.

 

Queensland wandering boots: Day 2 wandering Mackay

 

By the numbers

1 room serviced breakfast

21.58 kms walking

28529 steps

 

I woke up just before a knock at the door that meant I had my breakfast delivered to my room. I thought it would be best to put pants on before opening the door in case the poor person got a shock. Lucky I did as the girl was waiting around a metre away and I thanked her before picking up my coffee and food. It was different ordering room service in the morning and its put down against my room, so I will have to pay when I leave, but that is alright. I was happy to wake up properly with a coffee without having to go anywhere. Last time I was in Mackay, I did not have the interests I had now like with history and heritage buildings including cemeteries. I was more interested in seeing Daredevil at the movies that I walked to the cinema and looked at the shops. Though I was working in the Airlie Beach region at the same time too.

 

Once I was fuelled and ready to move, I was heading to the local Mackay cemetery as it was the closest one to visit and I had other places I wanted to visit too. The walk through the streets were not that bad, but I was happy that I could follow my map on the phone as the maps showed me which direction I was heading in. The Mackay cemetery was actually on the Heritage trail for the city, so I was happy they provided information about it being established around 1868,but wasn’t the first cemetery as there was another one elsewhere, but then floods. I wandered around the cemetery for a little bit before deciding I would like to try some more of the Bluewater trail as I had done some of that trail the day before. The Botanic gardens in Mackay wasn’t actually that far away and I wandered there. While exploring the gardens the information about the plants native to the area including similar plants surviving in the Northern Rivers area of NSW. The cafe was shut, so I wasn’t that worried as I followed the trail back towards the city. Part of the trail takes you under the Bruce Highway and behind the Mackay hospital. I was aiming for the shopping centre that was closed the day before.

 

It took around an hour of wandering before I found the shopping centre and entered. It wasn’t very busy even though it was school holidays. I was after a bag for my laundry and a pair of socks to replace the ones that I had a hole in that I didn’t know I had. Target had all I required and I made sure to use the app in the store. I did the same for Coles and I was thanked by one of the workers. It wasn’t hard to find the food court though it was actually upstairs. I had a quick bite before heading back to the hotel where I stopped at the cultural centre on the way. I looked around Jubilee Park that was where the local war memorial was located. The Rotunda had plaques of the different conflicts the area and the country was involved with including a plane crash during WW2.

 

On making my way back to the hotel, I didn’t stay for long as I wanted to see if the local Coles I had found close by had sandwiches as that was all I felt like for dinner. I was distracted again by some of the heritage trail and was meant to head back, but the Forgan Bridge had its own information trail about its history that included being damaged in the 1918 cyclone and the repairs made did not last very long as the whole bridge had to be replaced. The wreck of the vessel that had hit the bridge during the cyclone was of historic significance. I knew it was starting to get dark and was worried that it might rain as the weather was cloudy the entire day. I ended up with a pie and a roll for dinner from the local bakery. I thought it was good to get back early enough that I can pack for the bus trip to Airlie Beach tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will be a bit nicer.

 

Queensland wandering boots: Day 1 Brisbane to Mackay

 

By the numbers

1 feeling you are missing something, but unsure what

Main bag 10kilos

Backpack 6 kilos

1 book

1 mask

1 plane

18.87 kms walking

24907 steps

 

The day started just before 6am as I wanted to get food and I had breakfast on my tab as part of the deal with the Ibis hotel. I rocked up half asleep downstairs and completely forgot to check the covid checker until the server asked me to and then I was confused about the food. I said I was half asleep, and there were four police officers chatting away having their breakfast too. The coffee machine I thought would dud me out of coffee actually did throw some coffee in the cup. Once fed and waters I walked over the road to the airport putting my mask on right before entering the building. I was worried about using my boarding pass app that I was able to scan to reprint my physical pass and a bag tag, so at least now I know having the app on my phone works.

 

Once I dropped my bag off and with glasses no longer fogging up, I moved through to security where I got an instant call for a bag checker, They took my bag and had it on the otherside of the line without an explanation, nor a discussion over what I wasn’t supposed to have in my bag, but it joined me and I was relieved as I had my wallet and phone in there. I went for a wander looking at what can be seen in the terminal before I caught my flight. There were arcade games of some old games, but they did not seem to work and then there were the pictures of Queensland along the wall to the far end of the Virgin terminal that I followed. They included the visit of Charles and Diana at the Big Pineapple. I ended up back and waiting for the plane to board, which happened on time and we even left on time too. While in the air I gassed myself with a coke by burping and making my eyes water. Mackay airport was small and its more of a blink and miss it case, which was why there were so few bus services there including none on Sundays.

 

I learnt Mackay had been rebuilt after the 1918 cyclone that hit in January of that year causing wide spread damage and deaths. Ships were sunk and there had been little warming. When the city had been rebuilt, it was the reason why there are so many art deco style buildings, which was similar to Napier in New Zealand after the earthquake. I did jump into a taxi that ended up costing me around $20, but the lady was a great tour guide telling me where to go and what there was to look at in the area like I could walk to the beach and look at the coal ships docked at night as the lights were known as diamond necklaces. I could be wrong though and there were heritage walks and I did mention the cemetery that I wanted to visit. Once I got my bags into storage, I took a walk and found the library after stopping for a sandwich. I thought it was a good idea to look for the coach pickups for Greyhound and Premier as I didn’t know where they were. I cannot remember where I stayed or got onto the bus last time I was in Mackay around 18 years ago. Walking past the coach stop, I headed to Queens Park where I wanted to find where the Orchard House was located as I was going to try for a visit the next day. I wandered through the park as I found several memorials including one for the boar war, and wandered to the Orchard House. Some dodgy guy was standing several metres away from the entrance and he spoke to me. He said the house was open and I responded that I thought it was closed. He mentioned it being open for longer on Sundays, and my response was that mum would love me if I went inside. There were plenty of plants and there was information boards inside that spoke of the different types and how to care for them. I looked at the tags on some of the plants and there were not much information on them. Some had longer names and others abbreviations. I spent around 20 mins there though not all the plants were flowering. Would look nice if they were all doing that.

 

After my visit to the Orchard House, I was going to wander back to the hotel slowly, but I somehow ended up walking towards the beach on the path that would take me through the Sandfly Creek walkway that takes me through an environmental reserve that is an area where migratory birds from overseas stop to breed and feed before making the return journey. Besides there are crocs there as well. There are special flood gates to protect the area from floods when the river rises. I ended up walking onto the beach for a quick look down at Iluka Park, but knew time was running out on me. Some random lady tried giving me a pamphlet and I said no thanks, I am right. No idea if she was doing the religious give away, or something else. I followed the path back and found my way to the hotel. They even took a $100 deposit in case of damage and I get that back 5 days later. The room I ended up in was on the farside of the building as it covers the next street, so I am really in the next street, and I have ocean views, if you squint. I filled out a breakfast form and will see if I get something in the morning, or if I am forgotten.

 

After gathering my bags and relaxing in the room for half hour, I wandered out remembering the warning that the cards do not like mobile phones, I headed towards the Canelands shopping centre wondering if it was still open. It was on that walk that I realised, I had forgotten something and that something was the bag I had for my dirty clothes. Somehow I had forgotten it and will find another bag from the supermarket that I can use. Usually I return everything after its been washed or cleaned. The shopping centre was closed, but that was something to do on another day. I headed back to the hotel as I wanted to try the meals at the cafe that was there. The music was live and a little loud, but at least I got some food around 5pm when I had a sandwich around 11am that morning. It was getting dark and I didn’t want to stay out longer than I had to especially with the Origin game on.

 

Queensland wandering boots: Day 0, Any journey starts somewhere

 

Months in the planning for this journey and it finally arrives. I spent the week casually packing my bag and looking things up about my trip to north Queensland. I had back around February / March where I wanted to take a holiday north into the deepest, darkest Queensland to explore some areas that I have not been for a long time. My first plan I had to scrap as I was going to be in Cairns for my 40^th birthday, but too many people were on holidays at that time. The next was much closer to my birthday that I ended up with being in the Whitsundays instead. That works for me and using my flight credits from the New Zealand journey the year before.

The day hit like a brick as I had been watching the rona spread across Sydney and while I was at work there was a snap lockdown and I was worried I might be stuck without getting into Queensland, although really I live within 5kms of the state border. I scooted home for a shower and was on the way to the airport before we knew it. No problems on the train and I was nice and relaxed when I arrived at the airport hotel that I had booked my night before the push to Mackay.

 

So far the plan is all go and I am lucky that I am not going south rather than north for my birthday as that would really suck as the state has done a lockdown, but Queensland hasn’t as of yet, but things do change and will be interesting to see what happens when I end up arriving back home after a fortnight. I aim to have a good time away and I have breakfast already paid for, so the future is kinda bright already with daylight that is. I had the thought of walking in the dark to the Kingsford Smith museum, but in the dark might be problematic and I think I might need some sleep instead.