It was a stuffy night, my summer cold kept me awake some of the time, coughing; Lesley overheated, we both woke up a little tired and weary. However, predictably, almost, the sky was blue and sun was shining. We made use of the rather atypical unisex facilities that consisted of small rooms each containing a toilet, shower and hand wash basin and huge mirror with plenty of hot water but the thinnest toilet paper either of us has ever encountered in the world! We enjoyed a fruit platter and croissants with pastrami and grapefruit juice, readied the van and took it up to Flagstaff Hill where we had intended to walk last night.
What a delightful spot with 360 degree view, just as promised in the guide book. Also, there was a small cafe with wonderful views to the northern end of the Whitsunday Islands and very friendly staff who noting our accents asked where we were from and were interested in our travels, as many Australians seem to be. One, who was from New Zealand, has a son in law from Chelmsford in Essex, we live in such a small world really!
After enjoying the views and refreshment we went back to Airlie Beach, having decided we really ought to visit and enquire after a short trip out to the islands, which after all are supposed to be really beautiful. Arriving, we were struck by how quiet it was, compared to what we had expected given the Rough Guide's description. We sought the advice of the Whitsundays Central Reservations Centre and having spoken with a young woman from Gwent in Wales and checked out their brochure decided, over lunch, we would take the morning half day cruise on Wednesday. This will require an early start but we get to cruise out to Whitehaven Beach, stopping at Daydream and Hamilton Islands en route with up to 2 hours to explore the 7km long beach and swim in the Coral Sea.
Opposite the booking office was the Nomad Caravan Park with day parking outside of which is the bus stop where coaches pick up passengers to take them to the port for cruises. It was a 'no brainer' as they say, so we booked a pitch and car parking space so we can leave the van at the site whilst we take the cruise.
Having sorted everything we followed the now familiar brown signs indicating tourist attractions. This one, reportedly the 'Islands Drive', headed out towards Shute Harbour. It twisted and turned up and down forested hills with glimpses of the sea and then the signs disappeared. So we undertook our own exploration of the promontory following roads up to Shutehaven, above the Harbour, where we got some excellent views across to several of the islands.
Returning to the harbour we were stopped in our tracks by the sight of a Lace Monitor, over a metre long, crossing the road to crawl off up the opposite bank in what was essentially a residential area. We just could not believe our luck and only just managed to stop the van in time for Lesley to dive out and take a very quick picture. The monitor stopped half way up the bank, turned to blink and flick its tongue at Lesley and slithered off.
Arriving back at the campsite we got out the chairs, had a cup of tea and relaxed, in the wooded setting reflecting on how we appeared to be the oldest campers by some considerable margin, with the largest and newest van.
We bbq'd the chicken that had been marinating since last night and had an early dinner to facilitate an early night given, our pick up time tomorrow of 0615! Hopefully, we will both sleep better and wake refreshed and ready for our cruise on the Coral Sea.
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