TOWNSVILLE 6TH OCTOBER TO 9TH OCTOBER
Arrived in Townsville on a public holiday - Labour Day so nothing was open. We decided to visit the aquarium. All the talks were timed so that talks they were on every 45 minutes. First we listened to a talk about rock pools and what lives in them, then fish feeding and a tour of the turtle hospital where turtles are brought in to be rehabilitated after swallowing plastic bags and been run over by boats. I thought the aquarium was very informative and well worth a visit.
The next day we decided to go into town and have a walk along the strand which runs along the foreshore. It has a lot of restaurants, cafe's and hotels along it and affords magnificent views of Magnetic Island or 'Maggie' as the locals call her. Later we took a drive up Castle Hill and looked out over Cleveland Bay to Magnetic Island. We returned to the Riverside Convention Centre where we were staying and rode on the Ross River bike track which is behind the park to Riverside Park about 15 minutes ride. The swimming pool there is big, clean and best of all is free to swim.
Magnetic Island
Got up early and caught the 8.45am ferry to Magnetic Island. Only 20 minute crossing. We paid $70 for a pass which includes return ferry trip and day bus pass. First stop the forts walk. It was a bit of a climb to the top but afforded magnificent views when you reached the top and great photo opportunities. Next stop Horshoe Bay, a very pretty bay with stinger net and lifeguard installed for swimming. We decided to do the walk to Balding Bay which involved clambering up stairs and over rocks and up and down hills. Well worth it the beach very secluded apart from a few nudists down the other end. We went for a swim, lovely. Keith went snorkling. He saw a few little fish. Walked back to Horseshoe Bay and had fish and chips for lunch. Yum! Visited another beach called Alma on the other side of the island. I didn't swim but Keith went in and then back on the ferry for the trip back to Townsville. We were very tired. It had been a long day.
Townsville looking back from the ferry towards Castle Hill.
On Thursday we went for another bike ride almost into Townsville and looked at a few shops on the way back. Had another swim at Riverside Park. Why not it's free. Went out for Thai dinner along the Strand with hash friends Kennel and MD who were in town. It was good to catch up with them.
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