Townsville, Magnetic Island & more

With my traveling companions back from their own Whitsunday adventure, it was time to hit the dusty trail once more. So we hoisted our increasingly-heavy rucksacks onto our backs and bid adieu to Airlie Beach as we boarded the greyhound bus bound for Townsville. While Townsville itself leaves little to write home about, it serves as the embarkation point to the beautiful and singularly unique Magnetic Island. The island, named by Captain James Cook for the apparent "magnetic" effect it had on the ship's compass as he passed the island in 1770, provides a haven for indigenous plants and native wildlife, and is home to Northern Australia’s largest colony of koalas living in the wild. Wild koalas? Sold.

The greyhound bus conveniently dropped us off directly in front of the ferry terminal, where we purchased our fare across to Magnetic Island. After an hour's wait and a trip to the vending machine for sustenance, we boarded the ferry for a 30 minute ride to the island. An immediate appraisal of our situation (read: lack of money) dictated that we find the cheapest accommodation around, and use public transportation to get there. And find the cheapest accommodation we did. You know the old adage 'you get what you pay for' ? It couldn't have been truer. Our dingy, dimly-lit dorm room smelled of ... well something that can only be described as 'exceedingly foul.' Retreating from the stench, I toted my dirty clothes to the laundry room (in an effort ensure my belongings were bug-free after a bed bug scare in Airlie Beach) only to find three out of four machines inoperable, and no hot water. Strike two. And in the continuing effort to avoid our putrid-smelling room, we ordered dinner on the patio and were aghast at the sky-high prices. They even had the nerve to charge $1 for an ounce of ketchup. A DOLLAR for KETCHUP!

Australia, you SERIOUSLY need to reexamine your priorities.


Needless to say, with our spirits somewhat deflated and our pockets even lighter, we spent the remainder of our stay on Magnetic Island lounging by the pool, shielding ourselves from the stings of pesky biting horseflies, and eating plain peanut butter sandwiches. And we didn't see any koalas.

Secretly elated on our day of departure, we waved goodbye to Magnetic Island and hopped another greyhound bus bound for Cairns, our last destination before our return to Sydney for the holidays!