Noosa

We leave Airlie Beach on a Jetstar flight to Brisbane.  As the flight was 30 minutes late we almost missed our Con-X-ion from Brisbane to Noosa.  As it was it took just over 3 hours as we were the last people to be dropped off.  We arrive in Noosa around 6 pm

The sun has just set but we head into town to have supper.  Beautiful evening.  We’ll leave the exploring until tomorrow.

We head in to town to find breakfast.  The water is busy with boats, rowers and kayakers.

After we’ve eaten breakfast we decide to take a ride on the ferry to Hastings Street to check out that end of town.



It’s a great day to ride the ferry.  Water is calm, light breeze.  



There are some beautiful homes and apartments along the river.  Very expensive.



We arrive at Noosa Heads and pull in not far from Hastings Street.



Noosa Heads is where the shops and restaurants line Hastings Street.  It’s also where a beautiful beach is found and the Noosa National Park.



Lots of high end shops.



Beautiful beach.

After relaxing for a couple of hours back at our apartment we head back to town for dinner.  Another beautiful sunset.  

Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island

Today is an early day.  We catch our taxi at 6:30 am to be at the Marina by 6:45 am.  Thank Heaven we are staying fairly close to the Marina.

It’s another gorgeous morning.  The sea is so calm.  Here you can see how they set up the stinger nets at a local beach in Airlie.  We are on our way to the Whitsundays.

This is our route.  There are 74 islands to the Whitsunday group.  Only eight of the islands are inhabited.  Whitsunday Island is the largest but it is uninhabited.  It is a National Park. 

First we stop at Daydream Island to pick up some people.  It’s another beautiful spot.

Lots of beautiful boats. Daydream Island is definitely a boater’s paradise.

We have arrived!  Whitehaven Beach is on Whitsunday Island.  It is a 7 km beach of silica sand that is so white and fine.  The water is clear and blue.  It’s beautiful.



Some people snorkel or swim with stinger suits on.  The crew of the cruise have set up a few tents for shade as it’s really hot out.  They think of everything.







Marlene and I decide to go for a walk to a couple of lookouts.  Even though we are in the shade it’s extremely hot out.



The view from the lookout is amazing



A view from the other side

And the view of the tree canopy.  So lush and thick.  All protected as a National Park.










Then we head to Hamilton Island.  I could easily spend a week on this island. It has everything.







Stopped in at the Hamilton Island Outrigger for refreshments and a swim.  No stingers in this water!



This cockatoo was pretty friendly.  He’s grown accustomed to handouts (mainly French fries) which isn’t good.



We stop at the Marina Pub for lunch.



Back at the Marina awaiting our boat ride home.



A beautiful sunset to finish a beautiful day!

Off to the Great Barrier Reef

This morning we head out early from Airlie Harbour to journey to the Great Barrier Reef.  We will first go by the many Whitsunday Islands.

There are pontoon stations that we tie up to and this will be where we snorkel and others will scuba.  They are very well equipped.

Marlene and I have got our stinger outfits on.  These suits prevent 75% of stings from jelly fish.  There is a low risk at this time of year.  Stinger season is usually from November to May so we are on the tail end of the season.

Lots of fish and some great looking coral.  Looks like a fish is going in my mouth!

Spotted this beautiful tortoise swimming by.

They also had a sub that you could go in as it moved between the pontoon stations.  You look out the windows to see the fish so it’s great for those that can’t go in the water.  Limited to what you see though.

Last snorkel before lunch onboard and then back to Airlie Beach.  It took a couple of hours each way to reach the reef.  We were told the Great Barrier Reef is approximately the same size as Japan!

.

Airlie Beach

This morning we check out of Cairnes and catch our flight to Prosperine (Airlie Beach).

Small prop plane

It’s Easter weekend!  Airport staff are in the mood.

Our place is lovely.  Great view and only a short walk to town.  It’s a B&B

We watch the sun set and then go for dinner.  Lovely view and there’s a slight breeze and less humidity.  We’ve booked an outing to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow.  We’ll be gone the whole day.