Blogs from Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia, Oceania
May 12th 2012
We didn't have to give the Moke back til 9am this morning so we got up early and made the most of having transport, making our way over to the IGA at Nelly bay to pick up a couple of provisions and stopping at the Harbour to take a few photos. Will also thought he would re-live his mini racing days and put the little Moke to the test up the hills and around the bends whilst Jo held on so as not to be thrown out the side of the car. It was then time to fill up with petrol and head back to our hostel in Nelly Bay to hand in the keys. With the Moke safely returned we made breakfast in the camp kitchen - a treat of bacon and egg sandwiches. We ... read more
May 11th 2012
Due to a combination of the birds calling and the German campers having breakfast near our hut we were up early this morning, so with the whole Island to explore we hired a Mini Moke and set off after breakfast. Jo initially drove, although after Kangarooing down to Horseshoe Bay Will took over with his more gentler approach! Quickly getting our bearings we'd located the supermarket and the petrol station to fill up. We soon found ourselves in Picnic Bay looking at the wreck of the George Rennie; a boat initially built in 1885 and used in a variety of capacities including coal shipment before it was used as a break wall for smaller vessels. Nearby was a walk to Hawkings Point so we set off to take in the views of Nelly Bay, Mount Stuart, ... read more
May 10th 2012
The journey down the east coast started today and we were up early to catch our Greyhound bus to Townsville. Fortunately we'd walked the route the night before as Jo was still half asleep and suggested walking in the wrong direction! Once aboard it was a case of getting comfortable and trying to sleep, although a young kid did initially threaten to spoil the journey with a few screams albeit he fortunately settled down. Stopping at Cardwell our 5 hour drive passed by quickly with the highlight for Will being a brief drive along the V8 Supercup track coming into Townsillve before getting to the ferry terminal conveniently next to the bus stop! Fortunately we were soon boarding the ferry although we had to listen to a lady adamantly telling another passenger for the whole journey ... read more
May 6th 2012
Arrived at Base hostel on Magnetic Island at 8am on Saturday. Luckily we were able to check straight into our room and have breakfast and freshen up before our diving course started at 9am. In the morning we watched videos on suba diving and had questions to answer. Our instructor OJ gave us the answers to save time and then we went into the pool to learn the first set of skills. Setting up the equipment is pretty difficult and there is a lot to remember and a lot of checks to do. All the equipment weighs so much when it is on. We have weights belts and the big tank of oxygen on our backs is so heavy! So I was pretty relieved to get into the water and have it all become weightless. We ... read more
February 24th 2012
24.2.2012 Magnetic Island We had a 7 a.m bus to Townsville so we were up and out early. We got off there and had to get a ferry over to Magnetic Island from there. At the port we saw hundreds of Aboriginals, we havn’t seen many upto now. We stayed at the Base hostel which was actually quite nice. Right on the beach, wooden bungalows, pool, bar etc. We chilled out by the pool for the afternoon, Sophie finished her book (The Spire) which she said was good. Oh and we saw our first possum , in the bin whilst we were eating our tea. 25.2.2012 We had such a fun day today. Started off badly though as we had 2 Auzzie lads in our dorm and they were complete idiots. After a few drinks they ... read more
November 11th 2011
Well we've all made it to Oz safe and sound (although Rachel has sprained her ankle! We're hoping this is the last of her injuries as she has had quite a few whilst we've been away!) As I'm writing this I'm currently on Magnetic Island which is a little Island about 20 minutes ferry ride away from Townsville. It's a lovely little Island but there are massive flies everywhere! If they were just normal flies it wouldn't be so bad but these flies bite you and they are so bloody annoying! They are only here for like 2 weeks of the year apparently as well so it's typical that we've picked this time to come! When we arrived in Oz we landed in Cairns and were originally planning on staying there for 5 days but we ... read more
October 25th 2011
Day 43, 24/10/11 We caught the half 10 ferry to Magnetic Island from Towsnville and arrived at the hostel at just gone 11. We soon discovered that the Island was incredibly boring and there is extremely little to do here and that 3 nights here was a big mistake so we took a walk to one of the beaches in the afternoon for something to do. We decided to hire a topless (soft top) car tomorrow and explore the island that way so we walked down to their office and reserved our place. We came back to the hostel to cook dinner only to find the kitchen facilities were dire but after a bit of struggle and working out which hobs worked and which ones didn't we managed to somehow get pork chops, pasta and broccolli ... read more
The Great Barrier Reef & Magnetic Island
Published: October 13th 2011Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island
October 13th 2011
Som tidligere nævnt var planen, at jeg skulle have mit dykkercertifikat over 6 dage på The Great Barrier Reef. Dette blev dog ændret end smule pga. flere omstændigheder, men først var der dagene inden vi kom på båden. Vi bookede hele turen om søndagen, men skulle først afsted om onsdagen og havde derfor et par dage hvor vi kunne slappe af og få vasket tøj. Mandagens lyse timer gik med at få vasket tøj, få købt ind og så læse min bog ind til det blev aften. Om aftenen deltog vi i det traditionelle barbeque party, som fandt sted hver mandag ovre på Tropic Days hostel. Tropic Days var et søster hostel til Travellers Oasis og var det første af sin slags i Cairns. Der skulle kun betales indgang og derefter var der fri buffet. Maden ... read more
It ended, with a thud
Published: September 23rd 2011Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island
August 19th 2011
Today was our last full day on Magnetic Island, we had enjoyed a fantastic time here and would recommend it to anyone, who wanted a nice easy relaxing time, with some great wildlife experiences thrown in. We were up early and quickly dressed and left our room as we needed to fuel the little car up before giving it back, the local servo was about 100 yards down the road, we pulled up behind a bicycle, I said to Caroline, this bloke must be filling his bicycle up with Petrol I’ve got to see this. When I looked closer, this guy was filling a 5 Litre jerry can that he placed on his cycle rack went and paid for his fuel then cycled off. We had had the little Suzuki, for 3 days and just had ... read more
August 18th 2011
Blog Day 1014 (This is correct) Today was Thursday, we have been married for 21 Fun packed years. The Caroline I live with in Australia, is different to the one we left behind in the UK and that is the truth. I always liked the UK model, she was great fun, very hard working, great company and loyal, the list is not exhaustive, but the Australian model is all of the above, but somehow better, more fun, likes a beer, and is even funnier than the last one. I do love you Caroline. 21 years ago today, just kids standing in Romsey Abbey, getting married a life time ago, and lifetime I would not change for the world. We woke to another beautiful morning on Magnetic Island, our adventures for the day planned, we had breakfast ... read more
