Magnetic Island

Last weekend I FINALLY made it over to Magnetic Island, a tropical paradise, (aside from Townsville) just a twenty minute ferry ride off the coast of Townsville. I went with my friend Rhona, who I was actually surprised wanted to go--just the two of us. Australians here are funny about doing things with just one other person, anyway it was loads of fun--or as she would say "heaps" of fun--just the two of us. We left campus around 9AM--took a bus down to the ferry terminal where we waited till 1030 for the next ferry. In our spare time we asked the info booth guy what was good to do on our first time over there. He recommended several bays where you could swim and a trail--the Forts trail--for a wonderful view of the island and beyond.

The ferry ride wasn't too bad, we sat on top where we got the wonderful breeze in our faces and a good lookout view to all the surrounding islands--beautiful!! We entered Magnetic Island at a place called Nelly Bay. It was very odd to see such an island so inhabitated. The ferry terminal was surrounded by beach side towering apartments. But luckily that appeared to be the only spot on the island so populated. We decided to get a day pass on the bus system there as most of the other spots on the island were at least 2 km away and at most 6km. This was a good decision as we ran out of time to get to all the places in the time that we had using the bus anyway. The first place we stopped was a bay called Picnic Bay. Here there was a long pier out into the water...heaven as you can imagine it to be. WOW, I couldn't believe how amazing this place was and only 20 minutes from Townsville. At the end of the pier we saw some people fishing, one man with his pole strained into the ocean...he must have had something big on the end. What do you know, he did! As he pulled it up we caught a glimpse of a huge guitarfish (at least that is how I am IDing it) probably as long as me. I felt bad for the poor thing, but it was stunning to see. After several strenuous minutes, the fishermen pulled it up onto the pier. After one of them called to the other to get a knife, I decided I had had my share of watching and started to walk away, thinking they planned on killing it. But on looking back it appeared that they had cut the string and threw him/her back in. I was thankful of that.

Rhona and I decided we were pretty hungry so we found a picnic table with a National Geographic postcard view of the ocean and surrounding island and enjoyed our packed lunches there. Then we were ready for the ocean. We suited up in an ant infested bathroom, pretty interesting I must say. The water felt soooooooo good. It was surprisingly much clearer than over at the Strand in Townsville, extremely inviting. I was really in awe sitting there in the water. What could be more perfect than this? Probably having my family there too! : )

We saw a bus pull up and decided perhaps it was time to explore another bit of the island--so we went back to the ant infested bathroom changed and ran after the bus (that was actually not moving so..we didn't have to run far hehe). Then we headed off in the other direction to Horseshoe Bay. The bus ride there was also quite good--so many beautiful bits of ocean--you could see the corals through the water..unfortunately I was on the wrong side of the bus to get any decent pictures. Sorry about that.

Horseshoe bay was a bit more inhabited and more touristy, but quite welcoming. First we just walked along the stores. Rhona was hungry again so we stopped in a shop and got popsicles and chips (aka french fries haha) then we were too tired to do anything so we rested on a tree and did some people watching. We noticed to the right of us that there were people tubing. We decided it looked like fun and went to check it out. It turned out it was just 15 bucks! Sweet deal, we were going to do it. I guess its required by law to have an observer on the boat to watch and make sure people don't fall of the tubes, so for the group that went before us I got that lucky job. This meant for me double fun for what I was paying. I took pictures for the people that went before us, I think they were Irish. When it was Rhona's and my turn another boy went with us because he didn't have anyone else to go with. I think he was like 15 or something. The tubing was AWESOME, we went so fast and laughed so loud. It was so scary everytime we hit a wave from the boat..we'd crash down on the water and get the sensation that we were going to fly off into the water. This wouldn't have been so bad except obviously we'd be scared a shark would eat us! Needless to say my arms hurt the next day from gripping on so tightly. Totally worth 15 dollars. Running off of pure adrenaline we finally calmed down and decided it was probably best to head back to the ferry. It was nearly 430. What a day of fun!

We caught a ferry back to T'ville but just missed the last bus as we pulled in to dock. We decided we really wanted pizza anyway so we took a walk to the touristy street "Flinder's Street" and ran till we found the first shop that had pizza written on the outside of it. It looked like a yummy shop, but actually turned out to be the most tasteless pizza we'd ever eaten. We ordered a Hawaiin Pizza-half with ham for her and half without for me. But you couldn't taste anything. It was soooooooo bad! Luckily we were so hungry we ate it easily, but I haven't touched the leftovers in over a week..and probably should just throw it away. We also had garlic bread, which was a lot better, but surprisingly not even as good as the cafeteria food. haha.

Full to our limit, we took a walk to the next closest bus stop and on our way passed Mackers (McDonalds!). For 50 cents I got a soft serve icecream and cone that was over 6 inches high. Thats by far the steal deal of Australia! When we finally got back I think I clonked out on my bed by 930. Good Day all around : )