Lynne's Travels : June 2019

Saturday 1 June 2019

Great Barrier Reef

A day on the Great Barrier Reef

One of my days whilst at Airlie Beach, was to go on a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. I had booked the tour well in advance, I wasn't coming all this way and missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. It was one of Cruise Whitsundays tours, that leave from the Port of Airlie every day at 8am. I had no idea what to expect, but packed my camera, swimwear, sunscreen, towel and hat. It was a beautiful clear morning - which was hard to believe, as a cyclone was supposed to be hitting that area later that day - I kept expecting the day to be cancelled.

I boarded the catamaran and decided to make the most of the fine weather - sitting outside on the top deck. The ship was very well equipped; you could sit inside, outside, or up to a table in air conditioned lounges; you could help yourself to tea, coffee and water and there was even biscuits and light snacks put out - and a bar where you could buy extra refreshments, alcohol and soft drinks. After 30 minutes we reached Hamilton Island where we took on more guests. As we approached the island the water around the marina looked wonderfully calm and picturesque.

Once we left Hamilton Island, the ship picked up speed and it was invigorating sitting up on top - several people lost their hats in the breeze!

We passed many of the Whitsunday Islands, a collection of varying sizes and shapes, inhabited and not - as we made our way out towards the Coral Sea. There are 74 islands that make up this world famous area, that were once settled by the Ngaro, a sea-faring people, and the Gia and Juru Clan. Captain Cook sailed his ship the HMS Endeavour, through the passage between the islands and the coast on Whitsunday – and gave them the name Whitsunday Islands.

We were all given a talk on what was going to happen once we reached the reef, what activities we could take part in, what signals we had to use whilst in the water, the equipment we had to use and what time lunch was! An hour or so out of Hamilton, as we approached the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the water changed to a luminous turquoise colour - absolutely breath-taking!

Once we arrived at the spacious floating Heart pontoon, at Hardy Reef, we had 4 hours to please ourselves - there was plenty to do. Whilst still in dry clothes, I decided to go on the semi-submersible submarine tour first - this felt nerve-wracking enough (but I needn't have worried).

I climbed aboard and went down the steps, where there were seats on both sides of the submersible in front of huge windows. The engines started and we began our trip around the edge of the reef. Unfortunately the movement of the water and sand disturbed the ocean floor and it made visibility difficult for some of the time.

It was fascinating seeing the underwater world along the edge of the reef wall, with magnificent corals and colourful marine life - but due to the light inside the submersible or colour of the glass - my photos didn't come out as well I expected. It was interesting listening to the Reef Interpreters tell us all about the corals and fish that live here on the Great Barrier Reef and how endangered they are.

Next it was time for what I had come here for, to go snorkelling on the reef. I have to admit to being terrified, I am not the bravest swimmer and when I have snorkelled in the past - I have had a rubber ring to hold onto - and I couldn't see any of those available to people who were not actually drowning! But there are some things you just have to do - and this was one of those things. So, I put my swimwear on and then went in search of a stinger suit that would fit me................

Then a mask and snorkel, life jacket .........................and a pair of flippers. It was exhausting getting ready!

Then I found that we could have a polystyrene woggle to hold on to - that could be my bouyancy aid! And I wasn't the only person who wanted one - I didn't feel so bad then. So I was all kitted up and had to walk down onto the metal platform, have everything inspected, tested the hand signals and in I went. There was a rope to hold onto, I would be fine..........................and I didn't intend being in the water very long................Look at all those fish!

There were crew members watching everyone in the water, checking with us all the time, incase we needed any help or to be taken out - it was very reassuring. I have never used flippers before, but as the current was really strong - we weren't allowed in the water without them. Remember the rope I was supposed to be holding, what rope! I forgot about that very quickly and was happy floating around on top of the water marvelling at everything below. I wish I could have captured it, but it will have to be always in my memory - the starfish, the coral, the multicoloured fish ...........

..................and the huge one! I turned around and there he was - a giant groper. I tried not to touch him but he seemed insistent on getting as close to me as possible. The ship's photographer was just there at the right time and got these amazing shots.

So much for not being in the water long - I was in there for over an hour without swallowing any sea-water, first time ever; I was so thrilled by the spectacular ocean that I had not panicked once - I could snorkel at last. And what a place to do it properly. I was absolutely ecstatic with all I had seen - especially my huge friend. What an unbelievable experience it had been. Back on the pontoon, it was time to get everything off and put then in their correct places - ready to be cleaned and for the next person to use.

If you're new to snorkelling, and are nervous like me, the crew were wonderful in encouraging everyone and keeping them safe. I was so grateful that my experience had been so magical.

Now it was time for lunch, which was served on board the ship, there was an excellent choice of meats and seafood (local fresh prawns), salad, vegetables etc - just what was needed after all of that exercise.

I sat in the sun for an hour eating my lunch and watching everything else that was happening. You could book a helicopter flight to appreciate the reef from above, and to see the nearby famous Heart Reef. I was fascinated to watch the helicopters take off and land on what seemed to be the smallest floating pontoon.

...............And just marvel at the colour of the surrounding ocean. It was truly bliss!

One more thing to do before my time was up, and that was visiting the underwater viewing chamber.

It did look a bit grubby going down there............

But, as in the submersible, the colours didn't seem as bright through the glass - it was far more vibrant when I was snorkelling.

It was time to say goodbye to the Great Barrier Reef and start the long journey back.

The photographs that had been taken throughout the day were shown on the television screens and the crew also bought tablets around for you to look at; you could purchase a single photograph or a package. I just had to buy mine - not just for the memory - they were brilliant.

The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder of the world, it can be seen from outer space and it is under threat from pollution and global warming.

It is home to :-

1625 species of fish
133 species of sharks and rays
3000 species of molluscs
30 species of dolphins and whales
630 species of starfish and sea urchins
one of the worlds most important populations of dugongs
one third of the worlds coral species

What an amazing place! What an amazing day!

Whilst in this area, I had a few other fabulous days out, some with Cruise Whitsundays again - if you want a look, just follow these links :-

http://lynnemorley.blogspot.com/2019/05/airlie-beach.html

http://lynnemorley.blogspot.com/2019/05/hamilton-island.html

http://lynnemorley.blogspot.com/2019/06/whitsunday-island.html

Thank you for taking time to follow my adventures,

Lynne

These are my other blogs :-

http://lynnejmorley.blogspot.com

http://lynnemorleys.blogspot.com

http://morleysjourneytoozandback.blogspot.com

Whitsunday Island

Whitsunday Island

My second day in this wonderful region, was a day trip to Whitsunday Island to see the world-famous Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet Lookout. I had opted to do this was on a full day trip out to the island, which involved some hiking up to the Lookout. I was very excited about seeing the spectacular white sands and turquoise ocean, that on the shifting tides, create a breathtaking mosaic. Whitsunday Island is the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsunday group. No-one lives on it today but was once settled by the Ngaro - a seafaring people. In 1861 the first logging camps were built on the island, under the orders by Eugene Fitzalan to exploit the large pine trees which were for construction of buildings on the mainland.

We left the Port of Airlie early in the morning (7:15am) on one of Cruise Whitsundays comfortable catamarans and were shown to seats especially reserved for the 'Full day' passengers. We had a briefing about what we were supposed to be doing once we arrived on the island. Unfortunately, the weather forecast wasn't very good, a cyclone was close-by, so we were all hoping that we would just get to Whitsunday Island and back home again safely. After picking more passengers up at Hamilton Island we were on our way, and it wasn't long until we reached Whitsunday Island.

As we approached Whitehaven Beach, one of the longest stretches of pure white silica sand, the rain started to fall. The Captain said he would get us as close as he could, so we could see the famous beach - but the weather was getting worse - and this may be the only view we got of the beach.

Whitehaven Beach is 7 km long, with a BBQ and a camping facility - nothing else. You can get to it by boat, seaplane & helicopter. The beach is known for its crystal white 99% pure silica sands and turquoise coloured waters and is often voted one of the top beaches in Australia and throughout the world. The weather didn't look that bad.........just for a minute or two!

The ship went to the nearby, more sheltered Chance Bay, and dropped some of the crew off, with the equipment to start making the barbecue lunch. The colour of the water here was absolutely lovely - even in the rain.

The people who were here for the full day were then transferred onto smaller boats, as the current was too strong for our big vessel to get any closer to the shore, once aboard we sped off in a different direction.

There was hardly any shelter on this speedboat, and the storm was racing behind us. It didn't take long for it catch us, and I have never been in rain like it. Together with the speed of the boat, spray from the sea and the driving rain - I can't remember ever being so completely wet through. All I was worried about was keeping my camera dry.

After rounding a rocky point, the rain stopped; and to reach the shore, we had to jump into the water and paddle to the beach - getting even wetter! It wasn't cold though and as soon as we started walking, we soon dried off.

We were dropped off at Tongue Point and taken on the 1.2 km walk through the bush to Hill Inlet Lookout. There are only 2 trips that include this walk on their itinerary - so there wasn't many people about. It is recommended that you try to reach the lookout when the tide is low to fully experience the beautiful mixture of colours that emerge from the ocean. I was just glad that the storm had stopped, and I was able to finally see this breath-taking phenomenon. Even though the sun wasn't out, you have to agree that it is an incredible sight.

There are several viewing platforms on which to admire the swirling patterns of the sand and sea - as it comes in and out if the inlet on each tide. Every photograph picked up a different pattern in the pristine white sandbars, and a different shade of blue ocean. This is the third most photographed icon in Australia.

The Whitsunday islands were the traditional home to the Ngaro people, who are one of the earliest recorded Aboriginal tribes - having lived here for at least 9000 years. Archaeologists have discovered tools, traps, bones and rock art in various places throughout the Whitsunday islands.

The Ngaro were also known at the Canoe people which they built from 3 diamond shaped pieces of bark that were sewn together with roots or vines. In these primitive boats, they were able to paddle between the islands.

After some time at the lookout, we headed back down a different pathway, coming out on Lookout Beach, itself an incredibly picturesque area, with bronze rocks and mangroves outlining the stunning beach.

Many of these plants were used by the Ngaro people - to eat, to make tools and weapons out of, for medicine; everything for their daily life.

This section of beach, known as Betty's Beach is very special in its own way; this whole area which is at the north end of the world famous 7 km Whitehaven beach is only accessible by small boats - so it is never going to over-run with tourists.

If you look up into the bush, you can make out the viewing platforms.

Our little boat came back to collect us and take us around to Chance Bay for our lunch - more white sand and coloured rocks. Apparently, it is a mystery of how the sand on Whitehaven beach is almost 99% pure silica sand - it doesn't come from any of the local rocks - which don't contain much quartz. Scientists have several theories that they are working on - in the meantime the area is preserved as a National Park for everyone to enjoy.

The crew who were dropped off earlier were busy preparing a delicious lunch for us all; there were beach games for the children and stinger suits if anyone wanted to go in the water. It was such a tropical paradise - that you could almost forget all the nasty creatures in this ocean that wanted to harm you or even worse!

A brave local lizard wasn't worried by all these humans on the beach - he just walked right on by.

After lunch, we were told that the weather and sea currents had improved so much, that our main vessel had managed to moor up at Whitehaven Beach and we could all go there now. Some people decided to go there in the small boats, but I opted to walk through the bush, on a designated walking trail - that wasn't too far.

Our informative guide pointed out a variety of interesting things on the way, such as plants that were used by the aboriginal people, edible ants that tasted like lime - always keeping a lookout for something else to show us.

I was rather pleased with myself to spot a snake in a tree stump that we passed (only noticing it by the colours of its skin moving) - it was a type of python.

The track split in 2, and there was an extra path called Solway Circuit that went up to a lookout; I just had to go up and have a look. Not such a good view as earlier in the day, but there was more wildlife!

It was all downhill from here, an easy walk through the bush to reach the world-famous Whitehaven beach that I had come here to see. After all day on this island, I was finally on it. Living up to my expectation - it really is the softest, whitest sand in the world - good for polishing jewellery but dangerous to cameras!

The pure white sand goes on as far as you can see, with dense bush land long its inner edge - the only building is a very welcoming Eco toilet block. All the equipment that the crew bring onto the beach, for the comfort of the passengers, is carefully packed away - leaving no traces behind.

Back onboard the catamaran, we were treated to afternoon tea and a well earned rest. The day had turned out much better than I expected at the beginning of it. I was delighted to have actually seen the amazing, mesmerising swirling sandbars and turquoise sea at Hill Inlet - I felt extremely honoured to have experienced such beauty. Cruise Whitsundays are a fabulous company to go with, they certainly look after you so well, everything was first class and I can highly recommend them. It really had been the best day.