Magnetic Island

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Hey folks,

We reached Magnetic Island after a 6 hour greyhound bus ride and 15 minutes on the ferry. We got a bus to a hostel called Base which was recommended to us by one of the Castaway's girls. We walked in to find out that there were no dorm beds left. The island is tiny and it was pitch black out and we didn't fancy traipsing round the island looking for a bed and then the girl on reception informed us that we could sleep in one of their permanent tents. We asked to have a look and laughed when we saw them - they looked quite cool and definitely very cosy! They are supposed to sleep 2 people inside but we moved a third bed in so it was even cosier!! After seeing lots of big possoms running about I got a bit scared that one was going to crawl in in the night and walk over me as my bed was across the zip entrance to the tent! Thankfully we were informed that as long as we didn't have any food in there they wouldn't come in. Phew!!

We got up early the next morning to make the most of our 1 day on the island. We went walking to find a car rental place and got lost (I don't know how - this place is so small!!) and a little old man and his wife drove past and offered us a lift - very sweet. I would never get in a car with a stranger at home but it's ok here when the man in question is about 70 and with his wife! Anyway, he dropped us off at the car rental place. Loving the cars - check out the picture! They are called topless cars and we named ours Barbie (very apt!). I was picked to drive first and really enjoyed it. Didn't realise how much I missed driving! We soon discovered that you could get from the south to the north of the island in about 10 minutes!!! You can only drive up the east coast though as nearly all of the west is national park. We went to various beaches up the coast and had a walk around and some lunch and then when the sun went down a bit we went looking for rock wallabies. I saw 3 which was cool. After that we went to the national park and did a little bush trek in order to spot some koalas. I got scared on the way in when the notice board told us to watch out for death adder snakes that were in the area. Eeeekkkkk! The last thing this board said was "enjoy your walk!". Yeah thanks mate!! We hesitantly took off, jumping every time a leaf brushed against us! After 40 minutes I was beginning to lose faith in seeing one but all of a sudden we saw some people stop and stare into one of the trees and there he was. Quite big too. We named him Kenny the Koala. He wasn't camera shy and quite enjoyed everyone staring at him! We headed back after that and saw a kookaburra who was also posing for pictures. These animals are very accommodating for my need to get good pictures!

We headed back to Base after that and put Barbie's cover over her so she could sleep for the night. Every time you pass someone driving these little things they beep at you - I love it when you pass a car of boys driving this pink little thing with fluffy pink seats and steering wheel covers!

That evening was spent fighting in the hostel kitchen for cooking equipment so that Deaks could make burgalicious burgers again - mmmmm!

Early start in the morning to head back to Townsville to get the greyhound down to Airlie Beach!

xx

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Comments

[Tash]

Hey Cuzzz....have just been catching up on your blog and have been sitting here with a big smile on my face and laughing at your long essays! ;-) Looks and sounds like your having an amazing time and brings back some good memories of when I went travelling. You look great and keep on having loads of fun and keeping us updated on your travels. Tashxxxx I bet you meet an Ozzy and don't come home!! lol

[Sarah Hodder]

Elle Woods
The car looks very Elle Woods Miss Simpson - one for the snap cup! xxx