Queens Beach and Kings Beach, Bowen

Friday 5 July 2019 – 266 554

As it was cold, wet and windy; we had a sleep in, followed by a tidy up in preparation for tomorrow’s departure.

We went for a windy walk along Queens Beach.  It was interesting to watch the way the sand was blown around; the black sand is obviously heavier than the lightly coloured sand.  I saw some beautiful pieces of driftwood, some complete with barnacles.  The end of the stormwater drain to the ocean had a thick (one inch) rubber tube that narrowed to a slit and turned a corner, so that water could flow out but the ocean could not get in (and nor could crocodiles).

This afternoon we went for a windy exploration of the northern end of Kings Beach and the mouth of Sand Hills Creek. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing and reading, and generally relaxing.

Mullers Lagoon and Bowen Foreshore

Thursday 4 July 2019 – 266 514

The wind picked up significantly overnight, so we decided to try Murray Bay for snorkelling this morning as it is well protected.  This was quite different to Rose and Horseshoe Bays – rockier, less coral, but still interesting.  Both Hayden and I are improving as snorkellers.

After hot showers to warm up, we headed out to investigate the jetty.  Walking out was tough as the wind was so strong.  There were several kite surfers out enjoying the wind.  On the foreshore was an exhibit regarding the filming of “Australia” in which Bowen foreshore was transformed into Darwin of the 1940’s.

Next up was Muller’s Lagoon, a large man-made lake in the centre of Bowen which is home to thousands of birds.  We saw pelicans, darters, little pied cormorant, little black cormorant, plumed whistling duck, dusky moorhen, purple swamphen, black-winged stilt, whistling kite and black kite; as well as others.

After lunch we went to the Bowen Aerodrome to see the Coral Sea Museum.  This is small but has been lovingly done.  There is a model of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington which sank in the Coral Sea; dioramas of the Bowen Catalina Flying Boat Base and also of the sites where Catalinas had crashed near Bowen.

We then had a short walk around Grays Bay, however it was cold and rainy so we headed back to the van to read our books.

Views around Bowen and the Catalina Flying Boats

Wednesday 3 July 2019 – 266 475

This morning I explored the general Bowen area by going for a run.  I met the boys at Horseshoe Bay and had another snorkel. 

https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/horseshoe-bay-bowen

This time I treated the inside of my snorkel mask with baby shampoo and it didn’t fog.  I was able to see so much more of the coral and heaps of fish.  I saw Pacific Blue Eyes, fish with black and white stripes; white, yellow and blue fish.

In the afternoon we went exploring and looking at views – Yasso Point (mouth of Don River), Mt Nutt lookout (great views, including over the mango orchards) and then the top of Bowen Hill to look at the fantastic murals on the water tanks.  We the explored the business district and looked at the many, well done, murals.

COOL FENCE

On the waterfront at Port Denison there is a display regarding the Catalina Flying Boats that were stationed here during WW2.  The hardstand remains, and the stencils of two aircraft are painted on it, giving their size.  They had a bigger wingspan than I had realised and had a flying range of over 4000km.  The information display is cleverly done so that you can look through it to the water and hardstand beyond, giving the illusion that the aircraft are actually present.

Last stop for the day was Flagstaff Hill – this again gives great views, including North Head Lighthouse and its low tide path from the mainland, Gloucester Island and Gloucester Point, as well as out across the ocean.

Big Mango and Snorkelling at Rose Bay

Monday 1 July 2019 – 266 348

This morning we said Goodbye to Airlie Beach and drove to Bowen, through many, many canefields.  Our first stop was the “Big Mango” at Bowen Tourist Information. 

https://www.queensland.com/en-au/information/bowen-visitor-information-centre

On display were some sculptures which are to be placed underwater on the Great Barrier Reef. 

We have set up for the next few days at “Wangaratta at the Beach”.

http://www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/464/Tourist-Parks

This afternoon we did some quick exploration of the beaches in order to plan our next few days.  Rose Bay at low tide, literally allows you to see the coral by walking from the beach.  We didn’t even put our flippers on, just bent down and put our faces in the water.  Some of the coral is even out of the water at very low tide.  The sand on the beach contains a large amount of what looks very like gold glitter.  No wonder, with the sun reflecting on it, it was once thought the Whitsundays were covered in gold.