Whitsundays from the Air, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

Monday 24 June 2019 – 266 000 

This morning started early for a one-hour flight from Proserpine over Conway National Park, the Whitsunday Islands and Hardy Reef – part of the Great Barrier Reef. I got to sit in the co-pilot seat, with Drew and Hayden in the first row. The reef is very impressive in scale when seen from the air. The Whitsunday Islands are an incredible collection of volcanic islands – given their proximity to the reef I had wrongly assumed they were coral in origin and hence low lying. I was wrong – they jut impressively and steeply out of the ocean.
 https://gslaviation.com.au/airlie/reefandisland

After our flight we were driven back to the Port of Airlie to catch our boat. https://gslaviation.com.au/airlie/flyandcruisepackage We picked up more passengers at Daydream Island and headed to a snorkelling area between Hook and Whitsunday Islands. The water was very cold, but the coral was pretty and there were plenty of fish. I stayed in as long as I could to enjoy the beauty but had to climb out eventually due to the cold. This was my first time using a full-face snorkel. I definitely preferred it to the traditional face mask and snorkel, and I think with a little practice I will be better able to appreciate the wide view it gives.

From here we travelled to the southern end of Whitehaven Beach.

https://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/whitehaven-beach We had one and a half hours here – we walked north along the beach. Not only is the sand incredibly white, it is superfine and gently files the dead skin from your feet as you walk. It was amazing and daunting to see some of the damage done to the dunes and trees by Cyclone Debbie. As we walked along the beach, we saw some awesome sand creations and sand drawings done by other tourists. The water was incredibly clear!

The northern end of the beach was our next destination for Hill Inlet. https://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/hill-inlet  We enjoyed a short pleasant walk through the bush to the lookout. The tour guides advised us that the sand patterns here change continuously with the wind and tides, such that no two visits reveal the same pattern. 

Then a one-hour boat ride home via Daydream Island. Once again, a full and tiring fantastic day! 

Whitsundays - Shute harbour and Coral Beach

Sunday 23 June 2019 – 265 665 

This morning we headed north again. We stopped off at the tourist information centre in Sarina – great information on the National Parks of the Whitsunday Region, and a fantastic book swap. https://www.queensland.com/en-au/information/sarina-tourist-art-and-craft-centre-visitor-information-centre The readaholic in the back seat is now very happy. 

We have set up for the next eight nights at Discovery Caravan Park Airlie Beach. We have a lovely corner campsite that is quite private.  

https://www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au/caravan-parks/queensland/whitsunday-coast-airlie-beach

Coral Beach

This afternoon’s adventures included a trip to Airlie Beach Tourist Information (this only had information on paid experiences); and a trip to Shute Harbour. 

https://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/regions/shute-harbour  We hiked to Coral Beach, aptly named with pieces of many different types of coral making up the beach; and The Beak, which provided a limited view over the Whitsunday Passage. https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/conway/about.html#walking The Lions Lookout in Shute Harbour was our next stop. In my opinion this had the better views, and we were also able to see a variety of vessels – from dinghies to car ferries, passenger vessels and catamarans. A full day!

Coral Beach looking toward the Molle Islands

View from The Beak

View from Lions Lookout

To Hervey Bay and onwards

Saturday 22 June 2019 – 265 037

 Up at 04:30 and away just after 05:00. First stop, Hervey Bay Parkrun, a pretty run along the waterfront starting and finishing at Urangan Pier. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. https://www.parkrun.com.au/herveybay/
https://www.visitfrasercoast.com/Detail/ID/Urangan-Pier 

Next, off to find a gas place and buy a new pipe, then north. We stopped for lunch at Mt Larcom, where Hayden counted carriages on the coal trains. Drew went to fit the new pipe on the gas, only to find it wasn’t the correct size. Hence we stopped again, in Rockhampton to purchase an adaptor and thread seal tape. Amazingly we didn’t even need to detour off the highway.

We have camped for the night at Waverley Creek Rest Area. It is very well set up for driving in and out, with very level sites – no ramps needed. https://www.freerangecamping.com.au/directory/item/waverley-creek-rest-area-fc/

Heading North

Friday 21 June 2019 – 264 894

After school pick up we drove to Tairo.  http://www.freecampingaustralia.com.au/free-camps/queensland/tiaro-memorial-park-rest-area.html

We set up camp only to discover that the gas pipe has a leak, so no stove. Thankfully dinner was already cooking in the thermal cooker.