Whitehaven Beach has been named Australia's number one, if not the world's. It is on the far side of Whitsunday Island, the furthest major island in the archipelago just off Airlie Beach, (confusingly also called the Whitsundays). So this was our ultimate destination. The question was, how to get there.
After a lovely slow morning on the comfortable campsite (with occasional tropical rainstorms), feeding the resident ducks, plus a necessary supermarket shop, we tested the ferry option. Cruise Whitsundays offer various trips, all of which go via Daydream Island and Hamilton Island, the two with resorts on them. For an eye-watering price, we boarded an afternoon ferry as far as Hamilton Island for a recce.
As usual, it was great just being on a boat, and this was a very comfortable boat, zipping smoothly over the waves. But, where it was zipping was very special: the most postcard-perfect turquoise sea studded with white-fringed forested tropical islands, nearly all completely empty like desert islands from a story. A short stop at Daydream island (Kevin and I were very impressed with the smooth docking of a big boat in a small space, and also slightly jealous of the holidaymakers heading for their stay in paradise); and then we reached Hamilton Island, the most built-up.
The marina was notable for a sea of golf buggies all parked up; this was clearly your main transport option on the island. Jemima was very taken by this idea, so we got on the shuttle bus to find the hire shop. After a circuit around the various hotels (it was extremely beautiful and I'm sure would be amazing to stay in, but felt very constructed), we found the hire shop; but it was not to be - we didn't have enough time before the ferry home. So instead, we walked back to the marina and installed ourselves in a restaurant with a view. Jemima was consoled with Peppa Pig; and Kevin and I with a drink (or three). And we had a lovely afternoon watching the storms come and go over the water, quietly getting tipsy. (We very rarely just plug Jemima into the phone - I am always armed with sticker books, games and colouring for our outings. So actually it was a real treat just to leave her to it, for once.) A tasty pizza; a lovely ferry trip home in the early evening sun; a taxi back to the campsite; and it was all over. Our first taste of the Whitsundays - wonderful.
Feeding the ducks (Jemima took the photo of me!):
On the boat:
Jemima disappointed about the golf buggy:
Making the most of it:
Those little dots are fat tropical raindrops falling:
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