Waking up at 7 this morning, I headed straight downstairs to my hostels common room to catch the second half of the football. I wanted to watch the England game but the fact I didn't set an alarm meant the Germans had already taken over so I was forced to watch the Germany game. Prior to today I was debating whether to catch the 7am or 9.20am bus out of Airlie to my next stop Townsville for Magnetic Island, and I opted for the 9.20am primarily to prevent faffing about with an early check out from the hostel. Everything actually worked out really well in the end.
After having a quick breakfast of toast, I collected the bag I had packed last night and checked out the hostel. I also made the painful decision of ditching my cowboy hat from Kroombit. I realised that it was unrealistic to carry an irregularly shaped item round me, and the fact it was already falling apart from being crushed from the previous greyhound bus meant it was time to say goodbye! I've still got my Kroombit bandana though! The real reason I checked out early however was to take advantage of the free WiFi outside McDonalds before heading down to the newly built bus terminal.
Arriving at the bus station a little early, a short while later the bus arrived bang on time and after boarding to a half empty bus with usb chargers, I was able to sit back and relax. I had nothing much more than get to Magnetic Island planned for the day. Passing through Bowen, the other gateway to the Whitsundays en route, we stopped off at the Delta Roadhouse for a dinner break. It was a little soon after breakfast for me so I just took to the chance to sit under the palm trees in the shade while the bus driver did the obligatory fuel and windscreen cleaning that needed doing every time we stop at these service stations.
By about 2 we arrived into Townsville after passing through the small towns of Home Hill and Ayr. I wasn't missing much in these places. Arriving at 2 was in fact half an hour earlier than scheduled, and instead of catching the ferry straight over to Magnetic Island I took the opportunity to take a look round Townsville, classed as the 3rd biggest city in Queensland. It was more like Newhaven to be honest though. The ferries over to Magnetic Island ran until around midnight so I was in no rush with my inclusive ferry ticket being fully flexible.
I headed into the city centre which was just a small high street with lots of cheaply priced shops. There were plenty of shops aimed for tourists although they looked stuck in the 90s. All I was looking for was a supermarket to get some food supplies before going over to the island, and I soon found a Woolworths getting enough meals for the next three days, although I do have an inclusive dinner and breakfast on the island! It was also nice that Townsville offered free WiFi. I'm planning to spend the morning here after I leave Magnetic Island as my bus to Cairns doesn't leave until 2.35pm.
Heading back to the ferry terminal, I made a perfect walk straight on the ferry connection boarding the ferry for a 3.45 departure. The trip over was on very choppy waters, and after the occasional splash of water I arrived on the island by 4.10. I was surprised when disembarking to see this heavily commercialised ferry terminal with impressive housing infrastructure and a large supermarket. The island is basically made up 4 villages called Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay. My hostel was somewhere between Picnic Bay and the ferry terminal at Nelly Bay.
About a half hour walk down the road I arrived at my hostel, although I probably should have caught the regular bus which links the four villages on the eastern side of the island. The west is all national park making up 70% of the island. Despite this there are still around 2000 people living on the island! After arriving at the hostel I dumped my stuff and headed out for a quick walk up the nearby Hawkings lookout to watch the sunset. I probably shouldn't have walked up the rocky path in sandals, but it was well worth the views back over to Townsville as well as seeing yet more lizards.
Dinner this evening was rice and vegetables which I cooked all by myself after inspiration from the Fraser island trip. I even used the absorption method of cooking rice, although it stuck to the pan afterwards. I am improving my cooking skills by the day though! In the evening the hostel ran a quiz night, although I was absolutely hopeless as I probably needed to be Australian to stand a chance. Afterwards I headed to my room which was full of ants for some reason, with a lizard on the roof for good measure. After unpacking my stuff into the big drawers they have in every Base hostels I headed to bed. I like unpacking my stuff as it feels like a wardrobe!
No comments:
Post a Comment