Rainbow Beach

We had a relatively short drive from Agnes Water to Rainbow Beach. As soon as we arrived at the little town, we headed straight to the hostel where we had to go to book onto our Fraser Island tour. However luck was not on our side as we had to wait around 4 days until 2 slots were available. 

It was a bit of a pain as the weather looked pretty dire however Nath saw the positive in being he could watch the first World Cup game and potentially England's first game. With our Fraser Island tour, we got 2 free (or included) nights at the hostel which we decided to use the 2 days before we left. So we had to find a place to stay for the first 2 days. We headed to the information camping centre and they recommended Inskip Point. Now for those who haven't been to this area please google as it is possibly the most gorgeous place that you'd want to camp and it only cost us around $22 for 2 nights. To get to some of the Camping points you needed a 4x4 however there were a few that we could still get to. 

We picked a spot located right on the beach overlooking Fraser Island, but hidden under trees incase of rain. Once parked up we decided to go on a little explore. This little explore then turned into a 2 and a half hour beach walk. Nathan spent the majority of the time teaching me all about the World Cup and I can now recite all of the England team's names, clubs and ages. We did also see tons of wildlife including a Pelican, lots of Dolphins, birds and we even saw a shark which was accidently caught by some fisherman. The shark then proceeded to break the Fisherman's rod before he or she sped off. I couldn't tell you the type of shark, only that it had 3 fins, was sandy coloured and quite large, maybe you could work it out. 

We cooked a vegetarian curry for dinner and ate dinner on the beach with a rainbow (how appropriate, right by Rainbow Beach) as well as watching the sunset.

After watching the sun go down, we gathered up some firewood and made our first campfire using the cheat's method of a bit of spray deodorant.

We also made very chocolatey hot chocolates. It was a pretty perfect day and we felt like proper little campers.

Over the next few days, we explored more of Inskip Point, also Rainbow Beach and we went Dolphin Kayaking. 

It was freezing on the day, plenty of rain and wind. We started the trip with a 4x4 drive along Rainbow Beach where we got to see the famous Rainbow sands, which to be honest were not the colours of the rainbow like you would expect, rather different sand colours, still pretty though. We then parked up close to te sea entrance to Double Island Point.

We made our way out to sea on the kayaks but the sea was pretty rough so we got soaked quite quickly which made us more cold but it wasn't long before we saw a turtle popping it's head out of the water. Then within 10 minutes of been in the water a pod of around 40 plus dolphins swam by, it was insane to see so many like that in the wild. We proceeded to then spend the next 2 hours following them around, we also saw a couple of Humpback Whales breaching in the distance. Unfortunately we only took videos of the dolphins and I can't seem to work out how to attach them into a post. 

After a while the roughness of the sea started to make us both feel a little sick, so we were ready to head back when the instructor said. 

That night we stayed at Fraser's at Rainbow Beach Yha which was by far the most revolting accommodation I have ever stayed in. There were cockroaches crawling out of broken sockets, not sure you get much more gross than that, but it was free so we just had to stick it. 

The following day, we rented a sandboard (after watching the first World Cup game at stupid o'clock in the morning) for $15 for 2 hours and headed over to Carlo Sandblow. Which was this ridiculously bit sanddune overlooking Rainbow Beach. 

At first we struggled to actually get the board going because there was a fair bit of wet sand, but eventually after realising you needed loads of wax on the board we got the hang of it. 

We completely lost track of the time it was that much fun but thankfully we were only 7 minutes late back to the shop. 

We the spent the rest of the day at the beach, with me running up and down the beach like the village idiot trying to get some exercise in. 

That evening we had our briefing for the Fraser Island tour and we also met our group. Unluckily I had been feeling pretty ill since lunchtime with some sort of stomach bug, so I found standing on my feet for 2 hours trying to concentrate pretty horrific so I went to bed, hoping that I would feel better for the tour the following morning. 

Xoxo 

Bundaberg Rum Factory

So after leaving Airlie Beach, we spent a few days getting some miles under our belt whilst the weather wasn't as good, which included quite a few rest stops. Our next major stop was Bundaberg, primarily for the Bundaberg Rum Factory as picked by Nathan. 

So this is what I learnt. By the time Australia was settled by Europeans in 1788, run had become a sought after commodity. Sailors in the first fleet were provided with rations of rum and spirit was widely used as a bartering tool within the British Colonies. 

Bundaberg Distilling Company was officially incorporated on 22 November 1888 and despite having 2 serious fires since then that threatened to ruin Bundaberg Rum, it has done the opposite and has thrived and become one of Australia's favourite rums. We also learnt that 120 bottles of rum are created per minute. 

After the tour of the factory, we got to the  best part, the tasting. Unfortunately for me, I was driving so I could literally only taste the tiniest of bits. I settled for a dessert style rum tasting of chocolate and coffee and it was delicious. I also had a sip of a carbonated rum flavoured rum, similar to Rekorderlig cider (Swedish sweet flavoured cider) but rum flavoured. 

Nathan tried a blended rum to start with, which had been barrelled for 4 years before it was bottled. It was barrelled in a variety of different alcohol barrells including Jack Daniels and Port. The last one he tried was a spiced rum. Both he said were good but didn't quite match Captain Morgans. 

So this ended up being our only stop in Bundaberg and we headed to Gin Gin a free rest stop not too far away. 

Xoxo 

Gin Gin & Agnes Water

From Bundaberg we headed to a free rest stop in Gin Gin, (only wish I could have one of Dad's Gin and Tonics in the bath *dreaming*) where we stayed that night and saw a beautiful sunset. 

The following day we went for a very hot and sweaty run through the local park and up some killer hills before going to the local swimming pool to swim a few lengths and obviously use their showers. 

Around lunch time we headed to Agnes Water and Town of 1770, which was a little out of the way but I wanted to go here because it marks Captain Cook's first landing in Queensland. It is also the first area where it is safe to surf at when travelling down from Cairns.

The beach was lovely if not a bit chilling and it was here we first discovered 'squeaky' sand. We later learned that this is to do with the compactness of the sand. This area was also where we also saw our first glimpse of a proper hippy. 

Unfortunately I have let you guys down and I don't have any pictures of Agnes Water.

Next stop Rainbow Beach...

Xoxo

Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands

We drove into a sunny and very beautiful Airlie Beach and headed to our hostel, Base X. 

We were staying here as we had a voucher and there were no free rest sites nearby and we were able to park up and stay in the camper. After grabbing a quick lunch of chocolate spread toast we headed to Airlie Beach lagoon, which wasn't dissimilar to Cairns lagoon (this is not the picture, but the view from our lagoon spot). We were lucky with the weather and it was perfectly sunny and we even managed a quick dip and a suntan.

The following day we were booked onto an Ocean Rafting tour of the Whitsunday Islands. Now if you don't know what this is, I suggest you google it as it is pure heaven, literally and you'll want to book a trip to Australia on just seeing a picture. Unfortunately we weren't blessed with the weather that you will have seen on google but at least it wasn't raining. 

Ocean Rafting is this insanely fast speed boat and we quickly arrived on Whitehaven Beach (5th best beach in the world). The sand was pure white silica and the sea was clear as glass. 

We went on a short hike to a lookout point where we got spectacular views of the beach and surrounding areas and it was beautiful. After a packed lunch we headed to our next spot. 

We arrived at Mantaray Bay for snorkelling. Nathan and I had opted out of hiring a wetsuit on the hope we wouldn't get stung by some of the stingers in the sea. But it wasn't that we needed to be worried about, it was freezing and we were the select few just in our bikinis and swimming shorts. However we grinned and bared it. The water was perfect and clear an we managed to see loads of fish. 

After about 20 minutes I was freezing so had to get out and unlucky for me only I only had my thin, rubbish little travel towel so I remained freezing with blue lips for the rest of the journey. 

We then went to our final snorkel site which was located just off Hook Island. I then made the executive decision to not go again as I was beyond too cold however Nath went out and look at this absolutely incredible picture he took.

He managed to swim with 3 turtles, he was thrilled. 

After snorkelling at this site, it was time to head back and it was really choppy so we got splashed a fair bit and I was struggling to warm up. When we finally got on dry land away from the wind and sea I warmed up a bit.

We then headed to the supermarket to stock up on food and I very randomly bumped into a girl from my form at school. It really makes you realise how small this world is. We has originally planned to stay in Airlie Beach for another night as we had a free night but the weather the following day was overcast and drizzly so we headed further south on our journey.

Xoxo 

Townsville

We ended up staying in our next stop, Townsville for 2 nights for the simple reason of, a little bit of sunshine. Townsville has an average of 320 days of sunshine per year, which they could trade stats with the UK. So much sunshine thy undercover seating at Dairy Farmers stadium was considered unnecessary because of minimal rainfall during rugby-league season.

We spent both of our days there at a local outdoor Olympic sized swimming pool. It cost $5 per person for entry and we desperately needed showers and some exercise. We got sufficient showers and managed to do 40 lengths each, each day.

The sea looked beautiful but unfortunately unswimable unless we wanted to be attacked by stingers. There was a lovely esplanade that ran along the beach front overlooking Magnetic Island.

On our way out we visited Barracks Kissing Point and this had to be done. 

Xoxo

Cairns, Port Douglas & Mossman Gorge

Personally I thought Cairns was great, lots of ice cream places to pick from and a great fresh water lagoon. I know my priorities and ice cream is up there. Jokes  aside, Cairns is a great holiday destination. You've got warm weather all year round (don't quote me), there doesn't seem to be many mozzies (not including Port Douglas), Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep. What more could you want. 

There is a 2km long Esplanade that runs along the waterfront and which Nathan and I ran every other day and there is also multiple different FREE (we love free) exercise classes that run everyday. I did Thai chi at 6.30am one morning and loved it. Nathan didn't join me for this one. I did get ill during our stay in Cairns which wasn't great, so didn't do that much, spent most of our time by the lagoon. 

Oh and this was our 4 bed dorm room at Global Backpackers which we shared with 2 lovely German girls.

All in all, I loved our time in Cairns (minus being ill).

Our next stop was northwards to Port Douglas. This was after we picked up our  Spaceship Campervan. Bright orange, with a DVD player, a real fridge and an extendable back.

When we picked up the camper, the guy that worked there told us he was doing the Port Douglas Triathlon the following day. He was super tall and lean but definitely encouraged me to get training (ps a triathlon is my next challenge as soon as I'm home and I'm making Nathan do it with me and Mum and Dad). 

On route to Port Douglas we stopped by Palm Cove, which was 45minutes from Cairns and it was recommended by a friend who had visited the area. True to the name, Palm Cove was covered it Palm trees, it was lovely. 

Past Palm Cove was Ellis Beach, we didn't stop here but there was a great campsite (quite pricey for backpacker budgets) right on the beach, which I would love to have stayed at. 

There were some great look out points on the way to Port Douglas.

Port Douglas is mosquito heaven, unfortunately for me and now Nath. But it is beautiful and a lovely beach side resort. The beaches are very tropical looking with rainforest surrounding them. Our first night we stayed in Dougies Backpackers and Nathan stowed me in the boot so we only had to for pay one person, $15. Don't judge us, we are poor! I spent the night as a fugitive.

The following day we headed done to 4 Mile Beach to watch the triathlon. It was literally the perfect location and because the weather was overcast it made for cooler conditions. However I wouldn't have fancied swimming in the sea where all sorts of stinger creatures are present, not for me thank you very much. The run ended on the beach, which I would has thought would have been hard but the sand was very hard so it would have been nice to run on. I was super jealous watching everyone participate and I am now on a mission to do one. 

This photo doesn't really do the location justice, but I'm pretty sure it captures the 2nd and 3rd female winners.

After watching the top 100 finish then we visited the local Sunday market, which was full of local produce, coral and pearl jewellery and beautiful handmade crafts. We then got back on the road inland towards Mossman Gorge which is located within the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree Rainforest. We did a 2.4km hike through the rainforest, stopping by the gorge at the end for a swim.

We then had the most horrific drive up a mountain towards our free rest stop. Very windy, so there was a lot of concentrating on my behalf. We had the most delicious meal of pasta, pumpkin (new obsession and very popular here, not seasonal), avocado, onion, garlic and sausage. 

The following day we headed back to Cairns for one last run along the Esplanade, a stock up on food at the market and fuel and a free shower by the lagoon. We also ate way too much pineapple, so much so that our tongues felt raw and we didn't want to eat anything else.

Next stop Mission Beach... 

Xoxo