Magnetic Island and around Townsville
07-12 June 2009
On 07 June we had the morning in Townsville. We opted to have a look around the interesting and well stocked ReefHQ aquarium in Townsville, before catching the ferry to Magnetic Island.
Colourful fish and coral in the tanks at ReefHQ, Townsville. 07 June 2009
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ReefHQ has a number of local shark types in the tanks including this one. 07 June 2009 |
Sorry, don't know what type of fish this is! 07 June 2009 |
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We should have been heading to Hinchinbrook Island but cyclone damage had closed the island resort. At short notice we had booked into the 'Pure Magnetic' resort in Nelly Bay. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The whole idea of going to an island was to do next to nothing and Magnetic Island, despite some initial reservations when booking, turned out to be superb.
Magnetic Island from the ferry leaving Townsville docks. 07 June 2009
The view back to the mainland as the ferry heads for Magnetic Island. 07 June 2009
It's the middle of a Sunday afternoon on a holiday weekend and the beach at Nelly Bay is deserted! Could it be much better? 07 June 2009
The beach at Nelly Bay is littered with remnants of dead coral. 08 June 2009
Sunset at Nelly bay with the Australian mainland in the distance. 08 June 2009
There's not a huge amount to say about our stay on Magnetic Island as most it was taken up with sitting on the beach at Nelly Bay reading, sleeping or doing very little indeed.
This map of the eastern side of the island will help to locate some of the photos which follow.
The end of Nelly Bay furthest from the small town of the same name. 09 June 2009
Having walked up the road from Nelly Bay towards Picnic Bay and gained some height this view was possible. That is the mainland in the distance despite it looking like an island. Very low lying land causes the illusion that Cape Cleveland is just an island. 09 June 2009
Picnic Bay with its jetty and Townsville in the distance. This used to be the main ferry terminal for the island until the facilities at Nelly Bay were opened. 09 June 2009
Three Cockatoos in a palm tree. 09 June 2009
One Cockatoo on a wire. 09 June 2009
Two Galahs on a wall. 09 June 2009
And nine Rainbow Lorikeets eating crumbs. 09 June 2009
This Stone Curlew was in residence at the Pure Magnetic villas. 09 June 2009
On 10 June I went on an approximately 6km walk from Nelly Bay up through the surrounding hills with views over Horseshoe Bay before dropping down to Alma Bay. From there it was back to Nelly Bay via Geoffrey Bay. As was normal it was pleasantly warm (high 20sC) and sunny.
A pair of trees seemingly in camouflage gear. 10 June 2009
Horseshoe Bay as overlooked from the south. 10 June 2009
Whilst admiring the view two Wedge-tailed Eagles started to circle. 10 June 2009
A closer view of one of the Wedge-tailed Eagles. These impressive birds can grow to have a 2.8m wingspan. 10 June 2009
The wooded hills around Horseshoe Bay and further islands in the distance. 10 June 2009
A skink catching some rays on a stone. 10 June 2009
Alma Bay and Cape Cleveland viewed from a specially constructed viewing platform. 10 June 2009
Back at sea level - this is Alma Bay looking deceptively quiet! 10 June 2009
This is Geoffrey Bay looking towards Nelly Bay. 10 June 2009
Geoffrey Bay with Bremner Point on the left. 10 June 2009
Much shipping comes and goes from Townsville. 10 June 2009
The following day, out last full day on the island, we hired a Mini Moke to enable us to get around a bit more. First we headed up to Horseshoe Bay and the Bungalow Bay Koala (and other wildlife) sanctuary.
A Stick Insect on a wicker chair. 11 June 2009
Horseshoe Bay. 11 June 2009
Looking to the east (approximately) at Horseshoe Bay. 11 June 2009
And looking west at Horseshoe Bay before many people had arrived. 11 June 2009
A Cockatoo. 11 June 2009
A crocodile warms up in the sun. 11 June 2009
A young crocodile demonstrates it has plenty of sharp teeth. 11 June 2009
An egg laying mammal. This is an Echidna. 11 June 2009
This Koala must be used to feeding time as it woke up right on time. 11 June 2009
Having spent an interesting time looking at the animals and listening to the informative talk it was time for some lunch. This was followed by a walk out to Balding Bay and back before driving up to the start of the Forts walk, renowned for an abundance of Koalas.
Balding Bay. 11 June 2009
Arthur Bay from the forts walk. 11 June 2009
High up in the hills are the remains of the World War II fort and gun emplacements. 11 June 2009
Looking towards Cape Cleveland from the fort. 11 June 2009
The view more or less east from one of the watch towers. 11 June 2009
The fort not surprisingly had commanding views in all directions. This is the view of Horseshoe Bay. 11 June 2009
Florence Bay is on the left and a second hilltop section of the fort is on the right. 11 June 2009
The forts walk is renowned for the presence of many Koalas. Most were impossible to photograph. 11 June 2009
After the Forts walk a quick trip was made to Picnic Bay followed by a visit to see the Rock Wallabies which congregate at Bremner Point.
Back at Picnic Bay looking along the jetty. 11 June 2009
Picnic Bay jetty. 11 June 2009
The sign says it all - Bremner Point. 11 June 2009
A series of Rock Wallaby photos follow. Several had joeys in their pouches. All 11 June 2009
A popular way of getting around the island is to hire a Mini Moke like this one. They come with no mod-cons at all! 11 June 2009
Sunset from Nelly Bay on our last evening on Magnetic Bay. 11 June 2009
Reluctantly, on 12 June, we left Magnetic Island for the mainland. With an evening flight back to Brisbane we opted to hire a car to have a look around Townsville and visit the Billabong Animal Sanctuary a little to the south.
A pair of crocs. 12 June 2009
Two more crocs sunning themselves to warm up for the day. 12 June 2009
A small turtle. 12 June 2009
A sequence of photos follow taken during the crocodile talk and feeding. All 12 June 2009
Several very tame Kangaroos roam around the Billabong Sanctuary. 12 June 2009
Another of the tame Grey Kangaroos. 12 June 2009
Also allowed to roam free were many water foul including this goose. 12 June 2009
Well and truly behind a fence were the emus. 12 June 2009
This small marsupial is a Red Pademelon and is with joey. 12 June 2009
A wombat - almost solid muscle! 12 June 2009
A Kookaburra. 12 June 2009
And a Heron. 12 June 2009
The Cassowary is a large flightless bird which has a fearsome reputation but is actually rather shy. 12 June 2009
Like many species the Cassowary is considered to be endangered. 12 June 2009
Feeding time in the Dingo enclosure. 12 June 2009
A view across the lake at the Billabong Animal Sanctuary. 12 June 2009
From the Billabong Animal Sanctuary it was a short run back into Townsville where we drove up Castle Hill to enjoy the evening views over the city and surrounding area.
Magnetic Island from Castle Hill with smoke from controlled bush burning very obvious. 12 June 2009
The centre and docks with Cape Cleveland in the distance. 12 June 2009
The view more or less north overlooking Rowes Bay with Magnetic Island on the right. 12 June 2009
A look inland with the new railway station in the bottom centre and the Great Dividing Range in the distance. 12 June 2009
As luck would have it a freight train appeared. It is seen heading around one leg of the triangle at the south end of Townsville station. This route leads the train into the main freight yards. 12 June 2009
From Castle Hill, via a bite to eat, it was out to the airport and onwards to the somewhat cooler city of Brisbane and my last night in Australia, for now.