Cairns/Fitzroy Island, Australia 13th April 2023

On Saturday 8th April we left Airlie Beach for our next destination, Cairns.  Originally we had hoped to get the train but that was unavailable due to work on the track, and a flight would have meant either an hour on a bus to Proserpine and a connecting flight via Brisbane or a ferry back to Hamilton Island and another connecting flight.  So we decided to try the Greyhound bus for the ten hour journey up to Cairns.  However ... after about 90 minutes into the journey it became evident that the air conditioning wasn't working and the temperature inside the bus rose to 35 degrees and passengers were visibly melting.  An unscheduled stop was made for the driver to report the fault and attempt to get it going again.  That didn't work so we all got back on the bus and sweated it out for another two hours when we pulled in to Townsville and changed to a replacement bus for the remaining seven hours to Cairns and arrived forty five minutes late at 8.45 pm.

We had two nights in a hotel in the city centre.  In the trees outside our room Rainbow Lorikeets started to descend (the birds in the photo).  Large flocks continued to arrive until all the trees were full.  When we left the hotel for our evening meal, their noise was deafening.

On Easter Monday we got the ferry across to Fitzroy Island where we stayed for three nights in an apartment which was part of the only resort on the island. The waters around the island are a marine reserve and renowned for its coral reef which is accessible from the beach.  And it didn't disappoint.

We haven't mentioned before but the waters both at Fitzroy and around the Whitsundays are plagued by stinging jellyfish, some of which are so toxic that their sting can be fatal if not treated promptly.  So it's necessary to wear a stinger suit which is full body and includes a hood and mittens.  Sue refused to be photographed in hers!

There are also several walking trails around Fitzroy Island and yesterday we chose to climb up through the forest to the lighthouse.  We'd thought about the summit track but it was so hot and humid and we were already drenched in sweat after the steep climb to the lighthouse.  But lovely views.

This afternoon we returned to Cairns and have activities booked for the next couple of days, but more about that in the next post.