Found It!

We leave the tranquility of Mackay and head out to the Whitsunday Islands on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The beautiful white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, the spectacular coral gardens and pinnacles with abundant fish - large and small - at Bait Reef and Butterfly Bay do not disappoint. This is what we came here for!

Australia is well known for its venomous creatures – spiders, snakes, snails, octopus and jellyfish. Box jellyfish, bluebottles (Portuguese man o’war) and Irukandji thrive in these warm waters. Though “stinger season” is about over (Oct-May) it is recommended to wear a “stinger suit” all year. Gpa looks quite dashing in his new “onesie!” No worries! While we do see some small jellyfish, we didn’t identify or get stung by any of the scary jellies.

We arrive to the Port of Airlie Marina on ANZAC DAY (April 25), a national holiday honoring the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Tho we missed the early morning memorial service and march, we were able to enjoy some live “Australian Music” bands and “two-up” gambling games. THANK YOU, all ANZAC former and active servicemen and women, for your service.

A coastal resort town in the Whitsundays area of Queensland, Airlie Beach is a vibrant, popular tourist destination. The 2nd fastest growing town in Australia - with a 2023 population of only 4,201 - Airlie Beach is a very modern community with great restaurants, shopping, hotels, beach walks, parks, marinas, new apartments/housing developments - and the amazing Airlie Beach Lagoon. This free public fresh-water meandering pool rivals any high-end resort aquatic facility we've been to. (Chuck N, Randy N, David L - you should see this!)

Chillaxin' down under, XOXOXOXO Gma & Gpa