http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , Australia , Queensland , Magnetic Island en-us Sun, 26 May 2013 07:04:47 +0000 Sun, 26 May 2013 07:04:47 +0000 Dear Grace and MagI was getting on the bus to Townsville and the two Rachel39s were on the same one Yay Was really nice to see them again I originally met them in Australia Zoo back in Brisbane. They were heading straight over to the island from Townsville 20min ferry the same as what Becks and Sinead were doing but the hostels were full that night. I stayed in Townsville for a night the http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-783334.html Magnetic islandAnother popular pitstop for backpackers travelling up the east coast Magnetic Island reminded us somewhat of Koh Tao and the Thai islands. Not just because of the lack of main roads around the islands scenic walks and spectacular coastline but also because of the full moon party hosted once a month.The island reminded Rach of a giant campsite because of the crisscrossing and la http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-775852.html Monday 10 December After arriving on Magnetic Island yesterday I saw a couple of girls that i39d met on Rainbow Beach. They wanted to hire a car and drive around the island. I also wanted to do the same so we ended up hiring a Barbie mobil. We did loads in one day including going to a Koala sanctuary hugging a Koala Melinda who was super cute and getting very close to other animals. Th http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-762361.html A beautiful slice of paradise.Flew to Townsville and took a ferry to island. First went shopping at ferry wharf then took a taxi to Horseshoe Bay. Amazing house near a swamp called a lagoon on the brochures which was magical. A quick walk through the forest lead to beautiful Horseshoe Bay. Lovely beachfront with palm trees. Saw a turtle which was not well. walked around and up a mountainous hi http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-760132.html Well arrived in Magnetic Island after getting the Greyhound bus and a ferry across. We are staying in a tent for a few nights bit different from the cottage in Port Douglas but great all the same. The tents have a wooden like shack over with a metal roof to stop the coconuts falling off the trees landing straight on the tent not sure what is best coconut on tin in the middle of the night or dire http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-748974.html With all this working it was time for a mini holiday so we booked a weekend away on Magnetic Island. Maggie as the locals call it is just an 8km ferry ride from Townsville and practically one of the citys suburbs. It caters to all tastes and budgets and is geared entirely towards tourism. Each of the four tiny villages has its own character and beaches. We stayed in Horseshoe Bay at the nor http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-740205.html Well we set off for Townsville at around 9.35. It ws meant to leave at 9 but it was running late. This meant that we probably wouldn39t make the connecting ferry over to magnetic island. We would have to wait another hour. It was a 5 hour trip so we tried to get a bit of sleep. We were hanging a bit as we were out with the Whitsundays crowd and we went on a bit of a session. So we stocked up http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-723682.html We didn39t 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 relive 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 no http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-716943.html The journey down the east coast started today and we were up early to catch our Greyhound bus to Townsville. Fortunately we39d 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 h http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-716939.html 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 we39d located the supermarket and the pe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-716936.html 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 eq http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-714784.html 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 havnt 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 S http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-703259.html Well we39ve all made it to Oz safe and sound although Rachel has sprained her ankle We39re hoping this is the last of her injuries as she has had quite a few whilst we39ve been away As I39m writing this I39m currently on Magnetic Island which is a little Island about 20 minutes ferry ride away from Townsville. It39s a lovely little Island but there are massive flies everywher http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-664512.html Day 43 241011We 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 expl http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-660774.html Som tidligere nvnt var planen at jeg skulle have mit dykkercertifikat over 6 dage p The Great Barrier Reef. Dette blev dog ndret end smule pga. flere omstndigheder men frst var der dagene inden vi kom p bden. Vi bookede hele turen om sndagen men skulle frst afsted om onsdagen og havde derfor et par dage hvor vi kunne slappe af og f vasket tj. Mandagens lyse timer gik med a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-658294.html 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 bicyc http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-653678.html Blog Day 1014I told you to stop calling me that I said to Andy as he referred again to Little fat bums. Im not he says its just that you promised me koalas and we have only seen one resident koala who doesnt seem at all interestedGood point but I did promise a wilderness of Koalas so I am going to have to do something about that today.It was great life http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-652164.html Blog Day 1014 This is correctToday 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 f http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-641980.html Blog Day 1013We woke up to another fine and warm Queensland morning in fact from what I remember every time we are in Queensland the weather has been lovely thats why the possibly call it the sunshine state.I was up first and did a bit of blog I feel reinvigorated with the blog as we have something meaningful to write about not just got up went to work got home blah blah blah.Caroline http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-638160.html Blog Day 1010Finally a well deserved lie in It was a long day yesterday and as such we both had a good nights sleep and awaking this morning to the daylight and the sound of the beautiful tropical birds that grace this paradise of Magnetic Island.Magnetic Island so called I believe because of the magnetic effects that it had on the ships compass of Captain Cook when he sailed up the East Coast http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Magnetic-Island/blog-637723.html