Once again I was up early this morning, today for an early morning Skype session. It is really difficult organising these sometimes however due to the time differences and long replies which are caused by this. Today I simply had a day of geocaching planned to tie in with what are described as amazing walks round the island. They say the best way to explore the island is on foot because it is primarily national park.
After another round of toast for breakfast I was off by around half 8, leaving my hostel near Picnic Bay to go to Nelly Bay, the ferry terminal. I got a quick find here after the road walking, and after going into the supermarket and finding some cheap rolls and a Swiss roll, I continued along this newly constructed metal walkway to the next village Arcadia. Arcadia had a more island village feel to the place with its own little shops and houses, along with a couple of impressive looking hotels. I didn't actually explore inside the village, saving it for later when the Friday night markets were on.
Continuing round the beach named Geoffrey Bay next to Arcadia, I sidetracked of the main road to head down to Bright Point, finding a cache en route. It was here that I was told that the rock wallabies of the island live, and I was not disappointed seeing these small kangaroo like creatures below this ageing shelter. I had another find here, although in the process of climbing the rocks to find it a rock wallaby jumped out the rocks at me!
My next find was at the Spinx lookout, although getting there was another matter! I followed the road getting within 200m of the cache, but with no sign of a path up to the lookout. Eventually after getting another 800m out of my way I found the path which weaved its way through the dry and rocky formations to the lookout, presenting me with views over the island. When descending from the lookout, I somehow ended up on a completely different path as the path was so vague. Luckily it was an actual path as I bumped into a sign which told me I just 4km from the northern edge of the island. Simply using my gps and the vague map I was convinced I was heading in the right direction and after a sharp descent down the rocky terrain I emerged at the car park for the forts.
Described as the most popular walk on the island, the forts walk was a circuit taking in some ruins from the second world war. I don't really know the full history though. It just so happened there were two caches here as well. Following the well defined circuit, I finally came across a water point. I think I had already drank about 3l of water by that point due to the muggy heat! Before long the path started harshly rising in altitude, and I even saw two wild koalas en route, even if I was showed by others! When arriving up top, passing ruins described as the range finder and gun escarpment en route, I climbed these metal ladders to go on top of this old fort for amazing views over the island! I also found a cache here although it involved me clambering down this rock face of boulders. Luckily I found the cache.
Heading back the way came, getting my glory moment when showing some Germans a koala, I arrived back at the forts car park. Here I followed this private road past Arthur Bay to the Giants Rock, yet another viewpoint. The views here were more secluded and after a quick find I continued along the gravel road to Horseshoe Bay. The road soon became a track and then a woodland path, although before long it started harshly rising up these boulders before doing something similar when descending the northern most village of Horseshoe Bay. When looking at the map I realised I had taken the shortcut up and over the hill, instead of simply traversing round the coast.
After a quick find upon arrival in Horseshoe, I settled down on the seafront for what was a late lunch. I had bread, crisps and swiss roll here, and after managing to take advantage of a free five minute WiFi trial I continued on. If you're wondering why I sometimes go long periods without posting a blog, it's because I genuinely cannot get a connection to post it. After heading further into Horseshoe passing these little gift shops and cafes, I got another find by the villages solar power station. I think Magnetic Island is completely self sufficient in renewable energies. It was then off for another 2.5km detour for my final cache, which I luckily found after having to clamber over these slippery rocks up to this palm tree! Ten finds for the day.
By now it was around 4, so I headed back along the beach to Horseshoe Bay, and instead of walking the 10km back along the road to Picnic Bay I opted to catch the bus. It's funny passing the cars on the island because the hire cars are like Barbie cars! As the time was getting on I missed out the Arcadia market, although it only looked small anyway, getting off the bus at Nelly Bay so I could some batteries for my gps which had low batteries.
By around 6 I finally arrived back at the hostel on what was a really long day! As I had a free dinner voucher and I couldn't be bothered to cook I ate at the hostel, devouring a beef burrito and chips, along with my free complementary island sex on the beach cocktail. Come the evening it started to rain, and I was told it had rained earlier that day on the southern part of the island, so I was lucky to have sun all day being up north! Before long I was in the bedroom and I think you can guess what happened from there.
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