Townsville and Magnetic Island

We left Airlie Beach bright and early to get to Townsville in good time to set up and collect my parents from the Airport.  We're staying at the Rowes Bay caravan park.  It's a great spot by the beach, but a bit of a pain to get a reservation, as you can't book ahead, you just call the morning your going to arrive and hope they have a spot!  Lucky for us we were able to get a spot.  It was fabulous to see Mum and Dad.  We surprised them at the airport with a nice hand made welcome poster (thanks Charlotte) and lots of hugs and smiles.  We planned to spend the next five days relaxing, hanging out and exploring Townsville before we head to Magnetic Island on Sunday.

 Our fabulous friends from home had sent letters and gifts for the kids with Mum and Dad.  The kids were so pleased to get mail, they don't tend to get it very often.  Thanks guys it was a wonderful surprise for the kids.

We went for quite a few walks along the fore shore at Rowes Bay.  Lots to look at, mosaic sculptures and pirate ship playground to name a few.

Wrestling a giant croc!

We went for a bike ride and walk to the Strand which is this really great area on the waterfront at Townsville.  They have a rock pool, water park, lots of bike tracks and play areas, great for kids.  We were lucky enough to be there when this wonderful art display was on.  All these local artist had their work displayed all along the beach and in the parklands.  It was such a wonderful and interesting way to view the pieces.

They even had a workshop where the kids could make their own metal sculpture, all free, was awesome.

One of our favourite spots along the Strand in Townsville is the Rock pool.  It a huge man made pool filled from the ocean.  Was so much fun swimming and jumping of the dock.  We had a BBQ and layed in the sun, very relaxing!

Mum and Dad finding the holiday challenging!

The caravan park has a nice little pool, that the kids and adults loved.  Dad took to having a morning swim, but I'm not sure it really was warm enough at that time of the day!

Overlooking Townsville is Castle Hill, a huge weird dirty rock looking mountain!  Its an isolated pink granite monolith, a fancy name for a big rock!  With an excellent view and viewing platforms.  It was fabulous to stand up their and look at all the places we had been.  A definite must if your ever in Townsville.

 As part of our holiday with my parents we decided to spend three nights on Magnetic Island (or Maggie, as the locals say).  It was named by James Cook because apparently his compass was affected when he went past the island, 'Magnetic" effect. Magnetic island is a short twenty minute ferry ride from Townsville and we took our car.  We stayed in a nice shack at Horse Shoe bay, it even had a spa bath, but was far too cold to use!  Maggie Island is really well set up for holiday makers.  Lots to see and do, and a bus service that runs all day to all the main places.  Handy when we all couldn't fit in our cruiser.  First stop at Maggie Island was the local markets, small but had a lot of nice little things.

What to buy???

We even had time for a game of Monopoly, which we all loved, it's a game I've been playing since I was a little kid on my family holidays.  Was wonderful to share this with my kids, bought back lots of fun memories of old family holidays.  Especially when Dad got annoyed that we all ganged up and tried to beat him, but he won in the end!

We spent a lovely morning swimming and playing at Alma beach.  I even had a go at snorkeling which I haven't tried in years, with some encouragement from Dad, thanks.  Was pretty cool, saw some pretty coral and lots of little fish swimming by.  The kids swam and made sandcastles, then we had a picnic lunch.  I should mention that Mark wasn't here that day, he was busy doing his diving, more about that later.

We went for a drive around the island and ended up at Picnic Bay, a nice older shack area.  Has an awesome jetty but unfortunately cyclone Yasi all but destroyed it.  You're not allowed on it anymore but thankfully they have just received a grant to have it all rebuilt, for millions apparently.

Charlotte and Grumpy enjoying the view of the beach.

Since we started this trip Mark has been keen as to go scuba diving.   He did his course 12 years ago but hasn't done any diving since.  The local dive school on Magnetic Island were great.  He did a day long refresher course then did three dives with them, you can imagine how happy and excited he was.  Needless to say Mark had an amazing time on Magnetic Island.

We all had a try at snorkeling and had heaps of fun.

Horse Shoe Bay beach

We were pretty lucky to have my parents visit, Mark and I even got an arvo/evening off.  We went for a drive around the island.  Swam and snorkeled at the beach then went and had a lovely Mexican dinner with a few cocktails.  Was a wonderful day, thanks mum and dad.

Nice sunset over Horseshoe Bay while we had dinner

On our last day on Maggie Island we decided to try some water sports.  Mum, dad, Mark, the kids and I all hired kayaks and headed out for a paddle.  Was pretty wonderful, once I got the hang of it!  We paddle over to a beach and saw some turtles in the water, had a swim then paddle back in amongst the moored yachts.  All was good until dad said he and Jake saw a sea snake, it swam right past them.  Now I know there are creatures in the ocean, but I prefer to not know or think about them!

Mark and I even hired a jet ski.  Must to Jake's disgust he wasn't allowed on it.  Apparently you have to be eight, we had a few tears over this but I promised him I would take him on his 8th birthday!  I have never been on a jet ski and am not so sure I'll go back on one.  I love fast speed boats but the jet ski just felt a little unsafe.  If you went slow it was boring but when you went fast you glided over the water but felt like you could slip over at any minute.  Maybe I'll have to give it another go another time.

Maggie island was a pretty great little place we had a wonderful fun and relaxing time there.  Will definitely head back for another visit soon,.

We had one night with Mum and Dad back in Townsville before they flew home.  We went to The Brewery for a few drinks then out to a Thai restaurant for tea.  The kids said goodbye to Gran and grumps that night as they flew out early the next day.  I got up and took them to the airport, was sad to see them go.  We miss them, but will definitely see them again soon.  One of the hardest parts of this trip is that we always seem to be saying goodbye to people.