Airlie Beach - Whitsundays

We arrived at Airlie Beach nice and early as the trip up from Mackay was not that long. This time the kids only had time for one movie. We booked into our caravan park - Big 4 Adventure Whitsundays. The kids were so excited. They just wanted to get out of the car and go and explore. So within minutes of parking our caravan the kids were diving on their bikes and exploring the park. Each time they returned to they had something more to add that they had found. Yeah for Big 4's and keeping the kids entertained. Once we had finished setting up, it was time to take our first dip. The kids could wait to get in until.......yet again we find a unheated pool in Queensland. What is it with you Queenslanders not wanting warm water. Fresh was and understatement. I dove in and lost my breath on entry and surfaced trying to get more air into my lungs. Well after the initial shock was over we all stayed in the pool for awhile and the kids and Nigel had a blast on the water slides. I think Nigel was having more fun than the kids. While everyone else stayed in the water I climbed out and sat on the banana lounge and read my book.

 

Our first full day in Airlie Beach we decided to go for a drive to visit the sites. We drove firstly in to Airlie Beach and Nigel and I could not believe the changes they had made in and around the eastern side of the main street.  Huge development all over the place.  Once we looked around a little we drove out to Shute Harbour to catch the sites.  It was a lovely day so the drive was very pretty.  Back into Airlie again and off to the lagoon only to find Kaleb fast asleep.  Our wee boy gets so exhausted with the fun activities.  So we drove on back to Adventure Whitsundays.  The other kids played and introduced themselves to the kids in the caravan beside us.  Also Victorian's.  Later that day we discover that not only are they Vic's but they are from Leopold....25minutes from home....whoda thunk! Steve, Kaye, Casey and Amy where lovely and we got along with them really well.  We caught up for chats in between tours and activities.  Had drinks at happy hour and even went out to tea with them at Cactus Jacks....Mexican food...Yum!

Daydream Island and Whitehaven Beach

What an amazing day.  The bus picked us up at 7:30am where we caught up with David, Sandra, Garth and Sharon.  The lovely couples we first meet in Mackay.  I think we maybe crossing paths regularly as they are also heading up the coast.  Anyway back to our adventure.  When we arrived at the marina the ferry was running late so we watch other boats get under way.  The kids enjoyed watching one boat being driven by a remote control...we were all a little dumbfounded by that.

When we took off finally we were on the Orca which Jordan and Austin both sat in the captains chair.  Jordan even got to redirect the ferry and honk the horn.  She really enjoyed her time at the helm and Austin couldn't help but be a little jealous.

 

We finally docked at Daydream Island where we swam in the pool and the beach.  Wandered around the island and had a delicious lunch.  We spent 2.5 hrs on the island and really enjoyed our time.  We had to hurry to catch the ferry as it was about to leave without us.  As we rushed to catch it I took out the tickets from my backpack but at the same time $20 floated out also and fluttered over the pier banister were I thought it was about to become fish food but as luck should have it, it landed on the pier support beam.  Just not an easy place for me to get it and a very out of bounds place for me to be in...so I ran down to the ferry and asked for assistance...they thought we were taking in the beautiful fish...but once they realised Alison one of the crew jumped over the railing and lent over precariously and retrieved my $20.  That was a little dramatic really...but thankfully the money was back in my pocket.

 

Once we set off again we motored passed many of the islands.  Long Island, South Molle Island and Hamilton Island just to name a few.  While out we saw the Endeavour in the distance.  That was cool.  Kaleb loves pirate ships... it's just a shame we were not that close to it. 

We continued our cruise and we sited Whitehaven beach about 1 hour later.  My the sand is white.  It is such a beautiful beach and so amazing to visit.  A small inflatable met us at the boat and ferried us to the beach where we spent a couple of hours playing in the water and on the sand. Emilja one of the staff was great with the kids and they really enjoyed themselves building sand castles and playing Frisbee.  We did have to wear stinger suits.  They were the most unattractive items but they are to stop you from being stung by a mini jelly fish that frequent the area.  In the end Austin's was too big, Nigel's too small and mine was like a banana skin.  I even needed Nigel to peel it off me at the end.  Oh how fun we all looked.