Whitsunday Islands / Whitehaven Beach

For today we booked a full day boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands. So we wait for being picked up at our campground. The kids are playing with the fish - they will get a much more thrilling experience later in the day.


In the port the boat is waiting for us and 40 others.


The Whitehaven Express is a rather fast boat, tours with this family business company can be booked on http://www.whitehavenxpress.com.au/.


Jeremia is looking out for whales...


And yes, there were small pilot whales and dolphins.


Jonah felt a bit sea sick.


Our first stop is at a coral reef on Hook island to do some snorkeling.


The corals were beautiful and the snorkeling was much fun. There also were some colourful fish and a large Baramundi. While Joshua and I snorkeled, Tatjana, Jeremia and Jonah had a tour with a small glass bottom boat.


After two hours we move on to our main target, the Whitehaven Beach.


Everyones looking forward to this.


So we arrive there and take the dingi to the beach, which is amongst the worlds best beaches.


Whitehaven beach is comprised of 98% pure white silica sand which surely makes it one of the top ten beaches, of it's kind, in the world.


The shallow waters of Whitehaven Beach are crystal clear, full of marine life and make for an ideal swimming location.


And some of the marine live came very close to us...





Lots of Stripey Sea Perch just at our foot.


Which made Jonah a bit scared.


Everybody is waiting for the BBQ being prepared...


Even these Goannas...


They were really just below the BBQ waiting for some meat.


The BBQ was delicious and after a some more time at the wonderful beach...


Before we leave the island, here are some facts (thanks Wikipedia):

Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the Whitsunday group of islands located off the coast of Central Queensland, Australia. Whitsunday Island is located at 20°15′S 148°58′E. The island contains many popular destinations for both day visitors and overnight sailors, including the magnificent pure-white sands of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, the secure anchorage of Cid Harbour, and the sheltered waterway of Gulnare Inlet. Whitehaven Beach was rated as the top Eco Friendly Beach in the world by CNN.com in July 2010.

The island is accessible by boat from the mainland tourist ports of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.

Captain James Cook named the island in early June 1770. This island should not be confused with Pinaki in the Tuamotu group which was named "Whitsunday Island" by Samuel Wallis in 1767.

Whitsunday Island covers 27,508 ha (275.08 km2) in area. The island has six campgrounds.

Around the northern bays of the island are seagrass beds which support a diverse range of marine life. Unadorned Rock-wallabies are found on the island.


We had to head back to the boat. Some of us took the dingi...





...and others, like Tatjana and Joshua swim...





Our last stop is a lookout in Tongue Bay...


...which allows a postcard view on Whitehaven Beach and the Hill Inlet.


The only bit missing for the postcard picture was the sun as it now became cloudy.


Jonah still suffering from a cold now had a nap on the boat while we were heading back.


In the evening we all played some mini golf before we all went to bed.
Tomorrow we will be heading north again to get as close to Cairns as possible. And I will have to cure my sunburn which I got despite the sunscreen - but at least the kids are fine.


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Position:Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Airlie Beach Resort - a day at the pool

Today we stay the whole day at the resort, relax at the pool and have a BBQ.


Although sunny with only some clouds, it is quite cold at 22c. So only a short swim.


And some fun on the water slide


The pool area is really nice - a true holiday resort!


The kids enjoy the jumping pollow:





Although having great fun on the pillow, Jonah is not so well today and has an afternoon nap.


And now we prepare the BBQ...


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Position:Proserpine Shute Harbour Rd,Cannonvale,Australien

2010-08-03 Olsen's Capricorn Caves

This morning just after breakfast we go to the Capricorn Caves, a limestone cave system right at the campground at the settlement The Caves.


Capricorn Caves are located 23 km north of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It was first discovered in 1882 by a Norwegian migrant John Olsen. He went on to claim the land under a lease hold title and open the attraction publicly in 1884. The property was later reclassified to free hold land and is today one of the largest privately owned caves system in Australia. The attraction is one of the longest running tourist attractions in Queensland (from Wikipedia).


The cave system has various entries, this one is in 5mins. walking distance from the car park.


There are some spectacular views up the limestone walls...


...the stalactites in the cave are maybe not as spectacular as in some other caves e.g. the Attendorn cave in Germany. But still quite impressive...


...and some steep stairs to climb...


...to then get into the cathedral cave. This cave is also used for wedding ceremonies as it represents a natural cathedral:


The kids had lots of fun...


...and loved also the rope bridge at the exit of the cave.


Some final words on the caves. When Olsen discovered them it was obviously not so convenient for him to make his way through as it is today. He only had some candle light and could not so well see that he walked on a thick layer of bat poo, the bats, spiders and other creatures not to mention. The guano was later removed from the cave and used as ferilizer in the early 20th century. However, when a company wanted to start mining the guano in large scale, the Olsen family saw the cave system endangered and stopped the whole mining. This will have saved this cave system from destruction as it happened to other caves in the area.


Our first contact with wild (kanga)roos we have in front of the cave where they are fed.

For the rest of the day there is not much to write as we are driving almost all of the day from 11am to 6pm.


On our way we saw (again) many road trains as they are typical for Australia...


And a couple of smaller bush fires.

After sunset we reach the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort at Arlie Beach. Although so late, the kids insist to test the adventure playground - which is fully understandable after such a long time in the car.
(the picture below is from the internet)


And tomorro we take a rest and enjoy the resort facilities :)


For Thursday we have made some special arrangements, wait and see...


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Position:Rockhampton - Mackay - Arlie Beach, Australia (450km)

Birthplace of Queensland - some facts

What is now the "Town of 1770" is also called the Birthplace of Queensland. This is because on Wednesday 24 May 1770 James Cook anchored his ship the Endeavour about 3km off that part of the coast.


The ship was 32 metres by 9 metres and weighted 374 tonnes. Cook went ashore near Round Hill Head with botanist Joseph Banks and his assistent Daniel Solander. The party landed within the south point of the bay where they found a channel leading into a large lagoon. Cooks landing party noted many pelicans and, upon the shore, a species of bustard one of which was shot. They considerd it the best bird they had eaten since leaving England, and in honour of it they called the inlet Bustard Bay. Cook's party did not see any Aborigines during their shore visit but they did find campsites, fires and artifacts. From the ship, however, members of the Endeavour's crew observed about 20 members of the Meerooni tribe on the beach. The Endeavour set sail at 4:30 the following morning.


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Position:Town of 1770, Australia

2010-08-02 Town of 1770

Sitting here at a nice picknick area in the Town of 1770 and enjoying the quietness, wind and sun.

So we had an early start today to get to our todayy target, the Caves of Rockhampton. From Hervey Bay back to Bruce Highway No.1 travelling through some remote small villages.





Then reaching the sugar cane region around Bundaberg.


They collect the cane and transport it with small railways which are almost everywhere.


Actually the first time I see sugar cane.


There are also lemon trees everywhere.


Now we head towards Agnes Water to then go to the remote village "Town of 1770". Probably the most curious name for a town. But there are already so many Cook Towns around, I guess.


So this is the place where Captain James Cook landed in 1770.
Actually Very nice spot with a very nice picknick and BBQ area and of cause a playground for the small ones.


We do have our lunch break here with some crisps and sandwiches.


Joshua and Jeremia enjoy playing on the rocks at the beach.





Now another 250km to Rockhampton...

...at 6:30pm we reach our campground north of Rockhampton at The Caves. More about this place next time.

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Position:Hervey Bay - Bundaberg- Town of 1770 - Rockhampton (550km)

August 1 - Beach n'BBQ

Another relaxing day on the beach, this time in Hervey Bay. We drive the 1,5km to the pier in Hervey Bay to put the camper van in the shade of a large tree right at the esplanade.


Only a few steps away from... a German flag...


...and of cause a wonderful sandy beach...


...right at the pier...


The bay is well known for its sandy beaches with shallow and calm water. Ideal for the kids to take a bath..


...and play on the beach.





In the late afternoon we return to the campground to enjoy one of the most common australian leisures - a BBQ!


We are cooking local specialities like king prawns and (kanga)roo.


Delicious :)

Tomorrow we will do our longest distance on a day - we are driving to Rockhampton, which is about 400km north.

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Position:Hervey Bay, Australia