Whitsunday Islands

Day 24 - Whitsunday Islands

Whitsunday Islands

Monday, 15 August 2011

Today we got picked up from our accommodation by bus at 7:30, a bit of a lie-in for us and we were taken to Shute Harbour to pick up our ferry crossing to Hamilton Island. There was complimentary tea, coffee and toast on board and we tootled off to Hamilton Island. You probably know that Hamilton Island is a top quality resort island where the rich and famous go on holiday or own expensive houses. When we got there we were given various options for getting around the island and opted to hire a golf buggy (actually we had to hire two as they could only take a maximum of four people). We had them for a couple of hours and had fantastic fun cruising around the island. We went to a look-out for a general overview then cruised around looking at all the expensive houses overlooking the harbour. We stopped off at a resort and had a swim in their pool which was one of those massive pools round a central island with a pool bar in the middle. We strolled along the beach for a while then went up to look at a lovely little church which had an idyllic setting overlooking the beach. Lizzi says this is where she would like to get married one day. It was officially against the rules, but I let Jess have a drive of the buggy which she really enjoyed. Lizzi then had a drive too.

At 11:30 we returned our buggies and walked back to the harbour to pick up the next stage of our day which was a boat trip to Whitehaven beach on Whitsunday Island. Just as the boat was about to leave I went to take a photo and discovered that my camera was no longer in the case attached to my belt. It had been catching in the seatbelt of the buggy and I immediately suspected it had got tangled up with the seat belt when we got out. The boat staff were great and phoned the buggy people who confirmed it was in the buggy and arranged for it to be sent to the ticket office so we could pick it up on the way back. Phew.

We travelled over to Whitehaven beach, the sea had a big swell and we got soaked with spray, at times it was tricky just to hold on. We dropped anchor just off the beach. We then had a BBQ on board and after that were taken to the beach on a small shuttle boat. Jess and I saw a turtle swimming.

Whitehaven Beach is one of the most perfect beaches you could imagine. The sand is white and very fine (apparently it's good enough silica to produce the best quality glass without any additives, but mining the sand isn't allowed as it's part of a national park, and the sand is fine enough for you to polish your jewellery).

We spent a lovely couple of hours on the beach, swimming and generally lazing about although the staff had brought balls and volley ball nets etc if you wanted them. There were also Eskys with soft drinks etc. They provided sunscreen if you needed it.

After a few hours we went back on board for cake and tea and then were taken back to Shute harbour, changing boat at Hamilton Island on the way which gave me enough time to grab my camera. On the way back, Wendy and the girls spotted a hump backed whale in the distance, but I missed it because I was inside chatting to the captain at the time.

We have been to Coles supermarket and we are having Pasta Carbonara for tea tonight.

Not sure what we're doing tomorrow, probably a quiet one around Airlie, I think the family want a proper lie-in!

	Buggies on Hamilton Island [Map]		Lookout on Hamilton Island [Map]
	Pool Bar [Map]		Pool [Map]
	Chapel on Hamilton Island [Map]		Whitehaven Beach [Map]
	Whitehaven Beach [Map]		Sea Plane [Map]

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