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  • Day 143

    Our first Australian island

    July 9, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    We've left the sunny area of Wongaling Beach and arrived on Magnetic Island off the coast of Townsville. We're a little sad that we didn't see any cassowaries before we left as apparently the area is known to have the wild birds roaming. We have seen a giant statue of one every day and today I finally excepted that a photo this will have to be in place of the real thing. We left our hosts a little thank you note along with a passionfruit that we found yesterday. It does feel sad to be moving on so soon but money has meant this has become a little bit of a rushed trip. Unfortunately the bus was packed when it arrived so we were unable to sit together but luckily we sat one on front of the other. This meant we could still share water and check each other is doing okay every now and again. The journey began very broken up because we stopped about 30 minutes in for a toilet break and then another 40 minutes or so was for lunch. We arrived at a town called Cardwell where we visited the nearby bakery to buy us a fresh hot pie to share, we've missed pies! It wasn't fab quality but it was still very tasty and we sat eating while looking out over the ocean. After carrying on our journey I managed to get an hour sleep and read my book to pass the time. After 4 and a half hours we arrived at Townsville ferry terminal, our stop to get off. We collected our tickets for the ferry and waited an hour for the next one to depart. After what felt like no time at all after the bus ride we were on the ferry sat on the roof setting sail. The ocean and island in front of us was beautiful and as we approached we could see more and more of the tropical paradise we'd be staying on for a few days. We docked at Nelly Bay and began our walk to our Airbnb, it was only 15 minutes away so we felt we should walk it. We arrived and were greeted by our host who was having a baby shower as their first child is due in 4 weeks time. The apartment is lovely. It's attached to their bungalow but we have our own kitchen area and bathroom so it is all self contained and with everything we need. We headed to the supermarket and bought a few bits although they'd completely sold out of bread so we have to head there in the morning to try and get in their quick to get a loaf. We spent the evening cooking pasta, watching youtube and planning for our time here. Tomorrow we plan on a full day of walking so an early night is in order after another non exciting day of moving on.Read more