Blogs from Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 4

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Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island August 13th 2011

Blog Day 1009 The Alarm rudely went off at 4.00am and I shot out of bed, I had had the most god awful nights sleep and I was glad to get up and be out of bed, you know those nights when you felt you have just been so busy instead of peaceful sleep. Caroline had packed most of our stuff into a single case, all our travelling has taught us, how to pack light, no fuss, no bother, me a single pair of trusted hiking boots and a pair of thongs, a couple of pairs of shorts and a couple of tee shirts, Tooth brush for one, bits and pieces and bobs your uncle. Caroline’s packing arrangements are similar but very slightly more complicated. We decided to book a cab to the airport from home, ... read more
Waiting for Maggie Ferry
Ferry to Maggie
Ferry to Maggie

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island August 11th 2011

Thursday morning meant a very early start as we had decided to catch the 7:45am ferry to Magnetic Island. The alarm got us up and going but, even with the best of intentions we were always going to struggle to catch that early ferry. We left a little later than planned (my fault) and Graham thought he could make up time by ignoring sat nav and taking a short cut (big mistake). We already had our ferry tickets so we knew we could cut it a bit fine but we also had to acquire and display a car parking ticket. We arrived at about 7:43 and fortunately, even though the car park was busy, a space was available right next to the entrance. We rushed into the terminal and paid for the parking and they registered ... read more
Looking back towards the city
Helping an injured turtle
Work continues at the busy port as we leave Townsville

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island May 15th 2011

It was a full day of adventures for this traveler on Saturday. It started off with a sunrise on Castle Hill and ended with a sunset over Horseshoe Bay, and so much happened during the day! I really set out on my own, I had stayed home all day with Emily on Friday because she was sick, and I started to think about what I wanted to do the next day. So on Saturday I woke up really early, drove to the base of Castle Hill and enjoyed the hike up the steep steps. I got there just in time to watch the sun rise over all of Townsville from the top of Castle Hill. It was magnificent; I thought I would be one of few up there since it was very early on Saturday morning, ... read more
Sunrise over the Townsville
Horseshoe Bay
Part of the walking trail

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island May 3rd 2011

We arrived on Magnetic Island at about 3pm on the Sun Ferry and travelled by the island bus to our backpackers hotel - Bungalow Bay.  This was a great hostel, the staff were a little slow at times but the accommodation and the bar etc were pretty sweet. The first night we just got some dinner and chilled at the bar, but we then got interrupted by a massive amount of bird noise coming from near the park that the hostel site sits on.  I walked over and it was the 4.30pm lorakeet feeding  time.  These birds look quite like mini parrots and the ranger had left out some bread and water for them to feed on.   You could pick up the food and feed them and at one point I had about 10 birds ... read more
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Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island April 15th 2011

G'day family and friends! We are writing this travel blog whilst sitting on our balcony in our jungle hut on Magnetic Island, just off the coast of Townsville, Eastern Austrailia. The island is apparently the hottest place in Austalia (Oz), and is quite beautiful, with giant boulders cascading into the ocean. It is nightime here now, and a possum has just ran into the Hostel's restaurant area scavenging for food. We are surrounded by the largest population of Koala Bears, we can hear them growling out there, but we haven't seen them yet - give it time. There is an abundance of wildlife surrounding us on the island, most of which can be seen and heard from our hut which backs on to jungle. Giant bats (flying foxes) with a wing span of over a meter ... read more
Barrie with his beard at it's longest!
Penny and Jeff on the boat out to the reef - Lembongon Island
Beautiful sunset from Lembongan Island, looking back at Bali

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island April 1st 2011

"Maggie" is not magnetic The name is from James Cook's expedition, when his compass was messing up, he assumed it was the island. It wasn't, and no one is sure what really happened there. Still, Magnetic Island stuck and locals still refer to it as "Maggie" today. Maggie is a small island off the coast of Townsville, which hosts several interesting terrestrial and marine species. The climate is drier, and some how felt hotter, than that of the main land so you find species on the island that you don't see in Townsville as often. For example, koala's, rock wallabies, and death adders are commonly seen on the island. I started my day early with a brisk, and surprisingly hot, cycle downtown to the ferry terminal. Once there I met up with a couple of ... read more
Florence Bay

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island February 8th 2011

North Queensland is apparently in it's off season, so it is very very quiet. Spent two nights on the island just chilling and relaxing, trying to get a sun tan, but failing miserably. Watched a bit of tennis and played in a pool competition which I didn't play very well and lost the in the semi final, their were only 4 rounds in total. The island it self is quite nice and if their was abit more life then it may offer a bit to do.... read more

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island December 10th 2010

Thursday 2nd December We left Scotty's Hostel on a free shuttle bus to the greyhound bus stop where we waited a short while for the greyhound that would take us three hours to reach Townsville, our next stop. The journey was uneventful and we arrived at Townsville. The bus stop is directly outside the ferry terminal where we would catch our water taxi across Cleveland Bay to Magnetic Island which is a bonus, no mucking around with bags. Magnetic Island is only 12km from the mainland and its a short thirty five minute ferry across the lovely Coral Sea into the ferry port at Nelly Bay. This 20.1 sq mi mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with 2,110 permanent residents. Judging by the house prices, its an exclusive island to ... read more
Leaving Townsville
Leaving Townsville
Leaving Townsville

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island November 29th 2010

Today was a fairly relaxed day, we walked into the 'town' and sat by the harbour for lunch and caught up on some internet as the weather once again was not perfect! That evening however Camilla's worse fears were confirmed as the mysterious bites on Camilla's arm had now multiplied producing a grand total of 92 bites!! Either a killer mosquito was on the loose or it was bed bugs! yummy! Anti-histamined up we went down to the bar and this time upgraded to bottled red wine and spent the evening with 4 Welsh girls who much to Elin's delight were Welsh speakers and friends of friends! small world!!... read more

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island November 25th 2010

“It’s awesome buddy!” After swimming with Nemo we thought it a good high to leave Cairns with. We moved on to our next stop – more a stop over – in Townsville. Now this place is like a ghost town on a Sunday night, I’m talking tumble weed and whistling wind! We got there late in the afternoon on Sunday and we’re thankfully out of there early in the morning of Monday. One thing Townsville did offer us was a spectacular view of the town and the islands further ashore from a look out point. It was an excruciating 2 hour hike in the blazing afternoon sun – I mean hike as well not a leisurely walk but a hike in like 30+ degrees heat with no let up until you get to the top. The ... read more
Fresh water turtles
It's a Croc baby!!
"awww, so cute"




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