Lynne's Travels : whitsunday islands

Showing posts with label whitsunday islands. Show all posts

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

Thursday, 30 May 2019

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands - off the coast of Northern Queensland, approximately 550 miles north of Brisbane and 318 miles south of Cairns. The Whitsundays were formed when sea levels rose thousands of years ago, drowning numerous mountains that were situated close to the coast; these are now visible out of the Coral Sea with their distinctive shapes covered in thick vegetation. Hamilton has its own airport and is served by several ferries, which can only carry passengers, mainland vehicles are not allowed on the island except for those of tradespeople and public transport.

Hamilton Island was purchased in 1975 when construction of a harbour began, followed by resorts in various stages, but a fire destroyed some of the complex in 1985. It was placed in receivership in 1995 and in 2003, Bob Oatley, an Australian winemaker purchased the island; and since then it has won many awards including the Australian Traveller 'Most Desirable Island Escape' Award. If you haven’t booked to stay on the island you can visit it in several different ways; Cruise Whitsundays offer a Hamilton Family Day, Hamilton Adrenalin, Hamilton with Whitehaven Beach as part of a 2-island tour; or Hamilton Freestyle.

This last one was the one I opted for as I had been told that half a day wasn’t long enough to enjoy Hamilton - and this tour gave me a whole 8 hours to explore. There is another tour that sounded like my sort of thing - Hamilton’s Nature Escape where you hike up to Passage Peak and have breakfast with the koalas – but that was booked up. The early morning journey from the Port of Airlie only takes about 30 minutes and once you arrive at the picturesque marina – the day is yours.

There is so much to see and do on Hamilton Island and I was keen to explore it my own pace, so I had reserved myself a golf buggy before I arrived – perfect for a self-guided tour. There is a public shuttle bus that operates on the island serving major points of interest, but I fancied something different.

I am not a golfer and had never driven anything like this before. From the Marina it was just a short walk up the hill to the buggy hiring depot. The pickup was very efficiently done, and the price very reasonable – only $70 for 4 hours. After a quick briefing – I was ready to go (I was so delighted that I could reach the pedals). They are electric powered, and I was assured that unless I drove constantly for the entire 4 hours – I wouldn’t run out of power.

There is a speed limiter on the buggies, so that when you drive through any of the built-up areas you cannot go above 20 kmph. https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/reserve-your-buggy Heading off down the road was only nerve wracking for one minute – it didn’t take long to get the hang of it. I passed through the main resort part of the island, with quality accommodation, hotels, chalets, lodges and apartments; a reception area with bars and activities for the guests, and several outdoor swimming complexes. Once on the island I was free to use any of these facilities – but I wanted to make the most of my transport and see as much as possible within the 4 hours first. I drove to the very end of Resort Drive – luckily it is a straight road – admiring the beautiful pools, wallabies on the lawns and the view of the ocean.

I parked up at the end of the road, practised reversing and took some photographs of the picturesque Catseye Beach, and to have a look at the various walking trails.

https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/nature-and-wildlife/bushwalking Confident now, I headed back through the resort and out towards Palm Valley where there are Quad Bikes and Off Road Adventueres. Hamilton’s golf driving range is out here – and is definitely something quite different - the golf balls have to be hit into a lake! That must be why it is called Aquatic Golf!

Hamilton Island’s 18-hole Golf course is on the nearby Dent Island and is accessed by a boat transfer. The airport is along the road this way too, the quaintest little terminal sitting by the edge of the calm ocean.

Over the hill, with more great views of the marina and back into the hub of things – oh I was enjoying myself!

There is a Wildlife Park that has shows with reptiles, birds, dingoes and koalas at varying times throughout the day. If you are staying on the island, you can pay once and then have unlimited entry into this park – that is good value.

I had been told that One Tree Hill Lookout was a wonderful place to go for fantastic panoramic views of the Whitsunday Passage and the islands in the distance (that once were rainforest mountains). It was only a few minutes’ drive from the centre – nowhere is very far away on Hamilton.

One Tree Hill is somewhere you just have to go – the views really are magnificent. It is also renowned for its rather special café which does a great coffee or a refreshing cocktail (alcoholic or not) – it is definitely one for the bucket list. I was very happy to spend some time sitting on the balcony with a lovely fruit punch.

From here you can, not only see out towards the other islands, but you can get a feel for the rest of Hamilton and catch up with some of its resident wildlife – its friendly wallabies and cockatoos.

There was always somewhere to park the buggy, you just had to remember what your number was – as they all looked the same!

The next little roads – on the farthest end of the island, were where the classier holiday homes/villas were; with street names like Melaleuca Drive and Whitsunday Boulevard.

After travelling around these, I came to the far end of the Marina – and was now on Front Street. This is the hub of the island, where you can hire jet skis, try sea-kayaking, book fishing tours, catamaran trips, and numerous other activities; you will also find marine supplies, and various other types of quality retail outlets. I discovered the most unusual shop/shack called Foot’s Artworks; I had seen something similar in Airlie Beach and was told that it was all work by one man who has only these 2 shops.

Australian artist, Foot Young, is based at Hamilton Island and sculptures the most beautiful creatures in marble, he has hundreds of original different works, ranging from a selection of small pieces to enormous outdoor works.

I was in awe of everything I saw and just had to take a small one home with me – even though I would have loved a 3-foot-high seal or dolphin! Close to here is the Island Bowling – an ideal place to spend as hour if the weather isn’t very good; and the weather wasn’t at its best the day I was there. I had been dodging a cyclone for the past few days and its remnants were catching up with me. But being in the golf buggy, I was able to stay dry for some of the time.

As part of the day-package tour, lunch was included (either at Marina Tavern or at Manta Ray Café) - I had chosen lunch at the Marina Tavern which was very well organised, there was a good selection and it was very tasty. A friendly cockatoo thought he would join me – he likes the chips there too!

The Marina Tavern has a beautiful outlook over Hamilton Marina, there is plenty of buggy parking over the road and is very close to the main shopping area. After lunch it was time to take the golf buggy back; I thought 4 hours would have been enough but wish I had had it for longer - especially with the weather becoming so miserable in the afternoon.

So, I walked back to the Village Main Street and spent some time browsing in the touristy boutique shops and a found lovely art gallery that even gives art lessons. A delightful area to stroll around – if it hadn’t been so wet. Hamilton Island has so many other activities that I haven’t even mentioned; as well as water based fun and getting close to wildlife; there is mini-golf, go-karting, 2 spas, or you could just relax beside any of the many pools or try paddle boarding on Catseye Beach.

There are plenty of opportunities to try so many different activities when visiting Hamilton Island, but make sure you enquire beforehand as you may need to book them before you arrive – as they do get booked up very early. On a positive note, no matter what the weather, there is always something to do, there are plenty of public toilets and great filtered water stations.