Daydream Island

Hi, we have been at Daydream Island since Saturday morning (1/8). It's the smallest island in the Whitsundays, only a kilometre long.  It is very pretty, with beautiful lush tropical gardens and wonderful lagoon pools although they are not heated, and although the temperature has been mid twenties and sunny, the pools still seem very cold! I'm guessing by the architecture the resort was built in the late sixties or seventies, and it looks like it needs a good refurbishment, but the outside scenery makes up for it.  We knew food would be expensive, but it has really blown our budget as there are only 2 options for tea, both restaurants extravagantly  priced and absolutely no other options.  There is no microwaves or cooking facilities in the rooms, so they really have you by the short & curlies. Still, we are loving it, tick another thing of the bucket list. Our room looks directly over the marina where all the ferrys arrive and depart very regularly as they service Hamilton Island, Hamilton Airport and Whitsunday Island.  Huge amount of European tourists here, especially German & French.  A lot of the staff here are young things travelling from Europe also,

 On our balcony, using the selfie stick-this is try 4!

 The main centre of the complex is called the Atrium, and it has a moat around it, filled with coral, fish and baby reef sharks, The one above is called Bruce.

 Honestly, I meant to smile! Blame Graeme

 Old wharf on the south end of the island, now disused, Mainland in the background.

 Enjoying a delicious Mocktail, umbrella ,cherry and piece of vegetation included. (Also a spot of Vodka)

 Grae in one of the lagoons, the sea just behind him to the right,  There are about 5 lagoon pools here, but as I said a bit cold.

 I braved the elements for this shot!

 Fish and starfish in the Living Reef around the resort.  I learnt today that starfish have no brains and an eye on each tentacle.  You can cut a starfish in half and it will grow into 2 new ones.  The ranger also told they are the vacuum cleaners of the sea, they suck up from the sea on their underside, then expel the waste through the top, making in her words "Buttheads" as their bum is on the top.

 Some garden views on the way to the pool

 Stingray feeding tour- they have all been debarbed and are harmless and very friendly,  Entering the stringray pool

 This is a live starfish I am holding over my head.

 The following photos maybe a bit hard to see clearly, but I am hand feeding the stingrays, and they are swimming between my legs

 Ferry arriving, view from our room

Airlie Cove Scuba Lessons

Today was a fun day at the caravan park, free scuba diving lessons in the pool! We really enjoyed ourselves although I found it hard to get used to breathing under the water slowly and calmly. Although it was 28 degrees, the water was still cold, but concentrating on my "regulator" soon took my mind off it!  Grae had a fantastic time.

BBQ area at the pool

Acclimatising

With our instructor Amy-a very patient girl

Cruise to Whitehaven Beach

I went on a half day cruise yesterday to Whitehaven Beach at Whitsunday Island. It has incredibly white sands and stretches for 7 kilometres. It can only be reached by boat or helicopter/seaplane,so is very unspoiled. After the boat left Airlie Beach, we stopped at Daydream Island to pick up more people,then again at Hamilton Island.  We had one and a half hours on the beach, which was very peaceful and relaxing and got back to Airlie at sunset.

Leaving Airlie Beach

First stop at Daydream Island

Arriving at Hamilton Island Marina

Hamilton Island airport

Still a bit of sea mist around on the way to the beach

Approaching the beach

Disembarking

A really good day!

Airlie beach

Arrived at Airlie Beach on Wednesday,a beautiful part of the coastline with the Whitsunday Islands close by. Weather has been nice, around 26 drgrees and not much wind. It is a very touristy town with stacks of apartments and loads of overseas backpackers, reminds us a bit of Byron Bay.

This car is taking part in a rally, not very aerodynamic but gave us a laugh. It is from the town of Kingaroy in QLD, once home to Joh B/Petterson.

Whitsunday airfield, had lunch there today, watching the seaplanes and helicopters flying in and out

Below is the big goanna that lives in the caravan park, about 3 foot long. He especially likes children called Liam or Zoe for breakfast.

Bowen

Hi, we've been a bit slack with the blog recently, but plan to rectify that in the future, as some of our friends don't have facebook . Last week we were in Bowen,some pictures below of the Big Mango.

Tugboats spraying water at the start of the speedboat race carnival. Below, I went on a quick chopper ride which was great fun.