Magnetic Island from Townsville

We travelled on the Greyhound Bus to Townsville from Airlie Beach and when we got there walked straight on to the ferry to Magnetic Island.

Unfortunately, we were experiencing the beginnings of cyclone Olga and so the island was initially extremely windy making the sea ferry very bumpy to the point we both jumped out of our chairs.

We got the local bus to our hostel - which was very low budget and we spent two nights in a dorm room for 8 people in bunk beds. 

Luxury Accommodation for 8

We woke up early after a poor night of sleep due to a full on party that had progressed until 3am. It was raining cats and dogs so we decided to hire a car with a roof from a company called "Topless". 

Heading inland on the only road we went to the other side of the island and saw the most beautiful town of Horseshoe Bay, with the best beach you have ever seen. We sheltered from a massive rain storm and walked along the promenade of two shops and five restaurants before heading off on the Forts Walk.

We were very lucky and stumbled upon a baby koala and its mum right next to the footpath.

Koala mum with Baby just off the path

Unbelievably cute

native flower (?)

Paul also found some interesting plants, on the way back. We headed back to our hostel late in the evening after visiting the supermarket for tea - by this time the wind was howling and the rain was coming down sideways.

We set about trying to cook in a very crowded kitchen - I think there were nearly thirty people trying to use 12 electric hobs - none of which were labelled or working properly. In the corner there was a guy using a knife to fish a piece of bread out of the toaster and the rain was pouring in the roof - it was all very traumatic.

Eventually, after dodging the girl walking around with a cauldron of boiling water who had lost her pasta and finally tracking down the plates we had washed and put on the side dinner was ready. We wolfed it down, headed for the bar - drank as quickly as we could before we got washed away by the rain and headed for our rooms to find a note which said

"if anything should happen this evening - please do not panic;

1) head for the brick built toilet building

2) take food and water with you

3) enjoy the storm and come to the bar"

Take from that what you want - but I was glad to leave the romantic island of magnets!