Rocky and Airlie Beach

Well what a difference 1,000+ Km’s makes! The air temperature is much warmer and we have been greeted with warm sunshine. The drive to Rockhampton was really easy with some fantastic and variable scenery. We picked the car up from Brisbane and luckily they had run out of Nissan Dualis’ so we were upgraded to a Toyota Rav4 which was larger and could accommodate all of our luggage!  I feel the need to mention here that we have been dragging around at least one suitcase with a multitude of ‘just in case’ items, which have not yet been of any use, the only items which get unpacked at each location are our prized photos of the lovely Hannah and James, along with one or two other family ones which become very important when you are away from everyone.  

Our stay in the Motel in Rockhampton was good (clean and basic but had all that was needed – a comfy bed!) and ensured we were able to rest before the next leg of the journey to Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach is a cross between Noosa and the Gold Coast…..beautiful scenery again but the town has a very different vibe more akin to Surfers Paradise but it was a nice break for a few days.  We were planning to go out to the Great Barrier Reef – but didn't quite get round to it as we thought it may work better to wait and go from Port Douglas. So instead we found the Lagoon beach and decided to enjoy the sunshine and with this comes the need for refreshment (so Patrick thinks) so I was sent off to find one of his favourite milkshakes being a triple scoop thick chocolate and coconut ice-cream milkshake a.k.a. a liquefied bounty bar! Beautiful and only a couple of heart attacks in liquid form, not that he was anywhere near as bothered as he should have been.

Monkey Business!

Patrick was also able to bring himself to ask a local for directions, and they soon built a good rapport!  Personally I think they had a lot in common!!

 

The apartment in Airlie Beach was spacious but tired compared to the other places we have stayed which was a shame as the views and pool were very nice – although the pool was “refreshing” – can’t really type the words I used at the time!

We were treated to the spectacle of wild cockatoo’s which Nina found highly amusing as approximately 10 birds all flew to our balcony and she has not seen me move quite so quickly.

On Saturday, we left Airlie Beach at 8am and arrived in Port Douglas at 6 pm after completing over 750kms – thankfully, we both shared the driving and Nina created an impression with a lovely blue car with lights on the top….but “oooh they must like me as they flashed me!”….followed by “Oh….they are turning around and coming after us”. At this point, Patrick advised to turn right at the junction that by chance was within 100m!......and we hid down the lane like some fugitives, pretending to enjoy the scenery, which luckily was a lovely beach which was completely unexpected as we were so close to the main highway. Some things are meant to be.

Bonnie and her motor!

We also made a scheduled stop at Townsville by the Marina to have coffee and lunch. The park area was really nice with a war memorial in the centre. With the current events round the world, these memorials seem more pertinent – this one had 4 words “We called They served” – what would be the response to that calling today? Makes one think.

However, we couldn't think for too long as we had another 350 kms to do……it felt a bit like the Le Man race - pit stop, swap drivers and try to go as far (and not too fast Nina) as you can before dark!

We arrived at the apartment and in true Aussie style, the reception was closed and we had instructions to get the key and let ourselves in. This was a bit odd as the apartment had all the lights/fan and TV on…..we were half expecting to see someone sitting in the armchair or worse still in bed! Thankfully no one was there so we started the usual unpacking ritual.

The apartment was better than Airlie Beach but was close to a road and this coupled with the dawn chorus from the local wildlife meant we had a short night’s sleep. So on Sunday we moved to a villa which backed onto a golf course and is much quieter.

  

As we missed the trip to the Barrier Reef at Airlie, we are planning to do this here and are in the process of reviewing the options as there are multiple cruises from Port Douglas and Cairns – it is a good job the Barrier Reef is so large – 2,000 kms long and 65kms at its widest point, over 400 different types of coral with 15,000+ species of fish and is the only living organism visible from Space (I've read the blurb). Fingers crossed we can get a trip in.