Great Keppel Island

March 22
Got woken up by heavy rain at 3:00 am. Needless to say I didn't get back to sleep.

Headed off to catch the Freedom Fast Cat over to Great Keppel Island. The island boasts 17 pristine beaches, especially snorkelling. It also has many walking tracks and the ferry ride is only 30 minutes. There are cabins that one can rent if they want to stay longer, camping is allowed but it must be in the form of a tent. There are only a few vehicles and ATVs on the island, these belong to the businesses. It's definitely not the BC Ferries (that's for sure), although they do sell snacks, sandwiches, and water, juice, beer, wine. There is only two sailings a day, there and back (9:15 am and 3:45 pm).

Once arrived, I headed off to Monkey beach (great snorkelling and pretty quiet, so I'm told). However with the cyclone that hit at the end of February, the paths and trails are still not cleared. I was in flip flops and there were trees down, branches all over. I decided that laying on the beach anywhere on the island worked well for me. So I headed the opposite way, to Putney beach (I was told that was the topless beach - kids don't read this part). There was no one there.... I had the beach all to myself! Ahhhhh! I spent a few hours there... then decided to try another beach (actually I tried many beaches). The cyclone damaged a few cabins along the beach too.

I met a couple, John and Teresa from Redding, California. We chatted for a long time and I found out that they visit Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island every year. I gave them my business card and told them to visit me when they come by in September. They travelled South Island, NZ and then to Sydney and flying out of Cairns to Auckland on April 5 (which I also happen to be on the same flight).
Great Keppel Island as we were leaving

March 23
Up and out by 6:30 am, another long day, driving to Airlie Beach (5.5 hours). This drive was really boring, there wasn't much to see.... cows (lots of them) and dead kangaroos/wallabies. I stopped a few times to stretch and take a break.

Stopped in at the I site Prosperine to get some information. I booked a full day on Wednesday to do the Whitsunday Island cruise to Whitehaven Beach, lunch, snorkelling, swimming..... Got some information on Airlie Beach and the Holiday Park. Stopped at the Woolworth (yes, I said Woolworth) for groceries. Once checked in, I headed into town to explore. It seems there are a few pools on the waterfront. There were people all over the grassy areas, tanning and swimming.

I'm sitting at my site relaxing and who should drive up. John and Teresa from Redding, California. It's nice to see a friendly face.