We had a few days in Airlie Beach in advance of our sail, as well as few days after. It was school holidays again so the caravan parks were crowded with youngsters and Main Street was alive with backpacking uni students. We chilled a bit and did some hiking in the parks and bicycling along the shoreline.
Our route from Townsville to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays.We drove through Bowen to see if it was worth a longer stay (not really). There was an earthquake there a few months ago but we saw no signs of it.This charming display at a Hydeaway Bay caravan park.The name of this hill says it all…O My God Hill. It’s much steeper than it looks here.This cafe was in full flight on a lovely Sunday afternoon at Cape Gloucester Beach Resort, down the road past O My God Hill.Quite the location, Hydeaway Bay looking out at Gloucester Island.This bar in Airlie Beach had an amazing selection of rum based liquors.The cane toad was introduced here from South America in order to control the pests that living in the cane fields. They have taken over in parts of FNQ and beyond. They live underground and come out after it rains.The fresh water lagoon at Airlie Beach remains one of my favorites and we swam here a few times. The stingers and crocs in the area make this the better option than a swim at the beach.
We worked our way south, with stops at Sarina and Cape Palmerston. The latter was surprisingly pleasant and we stayed 3 days. The CP was about 10k off the main road and though there were a few holiday homes nearby there were no services in easy reach. Since the CP was only a few years old, the well planned landscaping was not very mature and provided little shade. But our site was at the top of a hill, a few hundred metres from the sea, the breezes kept us so comfortable we didn’t need a/c. There was a pleasant walk through the woods to reach a beach that was a stunner for a couple reasons. About 3 kilometres long, it was flat and so when the tide was out, it was about 500 metres to the waters edge. There were plenty of sand bars to wade around and we only saw another soul twice. Admittedly the CP was not busy but still…where were these people during daylight hours? Holed up in their vans? Wonderful for us! Also lucky for us was that we were able to buy the most delicious and biggest tiger prawns ever from the CP owner.
Our route from Airlie Beach through Sarina, Cape Palmerston and on to Yeppoon.The Sarina Palms CP displays scads of huge fibreglass animals. The owners of the park just like having this as the park’s theme.Cape Palmerston beach at low tide.The sand at Cape Palmerston beach was quite corrugated and firm, and was hard on the feet after a while.We wanted to catch up with another niece, Genna (and partner Joel), who live in Yeppoon. We had a general plan to stay a few days but enjoyed this small beach town so much we stayed a week. Our CP was right on the water and here time the tides were so high our route to the estuary would be cut off some mornings.The singing ship at Emu Park near Yeppoon.Flying foxes have made their home in Yeppoon’s estuary.Great Keppel Island lies 15 kilometres off the coast and it’s major resort is now closed, fenced and falling into ruin. We did a brutal hike to a deserted cove to snorkel for a mere 30 minutes. I need to do more research…we could have hiked to a closer beach with a better reef.The “fast ferry” from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island pulls right up to the beach. There is one trip a day and you get 5 hours to fit it all in. The ride is about 30 minutes.We arrived and saw these two drink machines sitting on the beach. I thought they must be doing a “desert island” commercial here.A welcome swim in the calm clear waters here was the ultimate at the end of our 15K hike.
7 thoughts on “Airlie Beach to the Tropic of Capricorn”
Finally playing catch up on your postings, Mary. As always your pics are beautiful.
Your adventure sounds amazing! You’re getting some down time and some active time. You certainly do get very familiar with the places you visit. That’s cool!
How wonderful to have the luxury of time! Keep up the great posts, and stay safe!
7 thoughts on “Airlie Beach to the Tropic of Capricorn”
Finally playing catch up on your postings, Mary. As always your pics are beautiful.
Very interesting creatures featured this time, including the white haired male!
Love ya,
Liz
Such an adventure!!
Looks like Florida or the Bahamas with all the palm trees. But then I don’t know what Australia looks like.
Another great pictorial. Love reading all about your new life, even if it makes us jealous. Safe travels xx
Thanks for another great installment! I especially liked seeing the flying foxes!!
Wonderful photo of the flying foxes. Aren’t they listed as a “threatened” species? jacque and don
Your adventure sounds amazing! You’re getting some down time and some active time. You certainly do get very familiar with the places you visit. That’s cool!
How wonderful to have the luxury of time! Keep up the great posts, and stay safe!