Townsville and Magnetic Island

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Townsville has the best esplanade we have come across in all our travels so far.  Lovely seeing people actually using the gym facilities and outdoor swimming pool.  They have the best children's (<10) free waterpark I have ever seen which includes some high star rated all inclusive hotels.  Loads of seating and people of all ages used it from dawn till dusk.


This should have been the view from our hotel room (only better as would have been higher!!)  but when we arrived, the receptionist couldn't find our booking.  I(we) had managed to book Fri and Sat 27-28 Oct.  How I have no idea.  The receptionist was amazing.  The hotel was full booked.  However, they had a chalet at the back of the car park which they only let for weekly bookings.  She took pity on my stupidity and offered it to us for the two nights.  It was more expensive than our original room but beggars cant be choosers.  Although it had no view it was awesome and did come with a washing machine.

Our main reason for coming into Townsville was to take the ferry to Magnetic Island for the day.  We did consider taking the car but David had read you could get a bus ticket for the whole day for $8 so we decided he could do with the break from driving.  Great decision as the bus ticket had gone down so was $4.90 each for the day.

It was a very overcast morning and therefore we decided not to have a go at snorkeling.  By the time we got to Picnic Bay it was raining but it didn't last long.  We took the bus up to Horseshoe Bay and by the time we got there the sun was shining - 15 mins later😎.  After lunch we went back down to Nelly Bay and actually got into our swimming costumes - first time this holiday!!  It was a lovely day.

This morning David tried to open the car only to find the battery was dead.  RACQ were called out again to rescue!  Very impressed, this time they were there in 10 minutes unlike the 2 hours last time - the difference with being in a big town I guess.  Anyway a new battery was bought and fitted so on the road again by 8.00 am.  Yes the car is still under budget.

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