Magnetic Island

Eager to get to the Island, we made it to the ferry terminal with plenty of time to scoff some donuts and wait for the ferry/barge to arrive.  Just when Nick has almost given up hope, it came and on we drove, camper left back in Townsville at the caravan park.  The feeling of being on the barge heading out to an island reminded Ben and I of the trip to North West that we are thinking about often now.  Excitement building.  On reaching the Island around 40 minutes later, we found our camp ground at the backpackers, set up the tent and hit the road around the island to explore, finally stopping at Florence Beach for a snorkel.  Larina was so funny – she is loving practicing with her snorkel and goggles now – and we can hear her giggling and talking underwater.  We had to drag her out of the water in the end.  The boys were well and truly out, and covered in sand while they built their castles/ roads.

Waking up to have a whole day just to sit on the beach was a wonderful feeling.  We did manage to squeeze in a little school work before driving to Radical Bay – a 4WD track to a beautifully remote beach that had been recommended to us.  Honestly – this beach had it all for us.  We parked ourselves under the shade of a huge tree and watched while the three children swam, explored rocks, snorkelled, built sand cities and made forts among the strangler fig trees we sat beneath.  Hours upon hours passed with not a moment of complaint (besides when we called the kids in for sandwiches.)  We have been reading the “adventurous four” and it has really inspired some more pretend play.

When we finally tired of the beach, we drove around to Horseshoe Bay, and watched the sun set over the headland while eating our fish and chips.  Actually – I do have to report that we have found the best fish and chip shop in QLD.  We ordered extra chips, after having many experiences of “this will feed 5” only being enough for our two hungry sons… anyway the serves here were very generous and crispy, and try as we did, we could not eat our way through them – although the boys both tried VERY hard.