drdan

Taken yesterday afternoon at the Strand Rockpool. This is winter Queensland style. Lovely!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannytucker/

painter man

Life looks tougth doc

drdan

We had an impromptu winter trip to Magnetic Island this weekend. Saturday morning just decided to go for it, googled some accommodation, quickly packed the car & headed over on the next car ferry. $150 for car+passengers & $200 for a 2-bedroomed apartment.

Great time had by all, staying overnight at Horseshoe Bay. Our last trip over was a bit whirlwind so it was very good to have some time to check out some of the beaches more closely. Without a doubt Radical Bay was the most popular, although a bit of a trek on an unsealed road to get there. So worth it - swimming without need for wet suits in winter, amazing! The kid's favourite was the tube ride at Horseshoe. Taking the car makes it so easy - pile it high & door to door - fantastic. Definitely will be doing it again soon.

More photos here:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5172228_PaKms

Horseshoe Bay




Horseshoe Bay




Horseshoe Bay




Tube ride on Horseshoe




Surf @ Florence Bay




Florence Bay




Radical Bay




Picnic Bay jetty looking toward Townsville



Horseshoe Bay

pasty legs

What lovely pictures. Been here nearly two years and still not been over yet. David has been there quite a few times on business and loves it. He was thinking of taking us over this weekend but I have to work. Will have to book some time off I think!

Sara

stariston

Fantastic

pasty legs

By the way, we shouldn't forget it is winter. Brrrrrrrr.

Sara xx

Maple Leaf

wonderful pics!..best pics of the area i have ever seen!

and funny that i come across this thread. we are looking at townsville to move back to in australia at some point in time...coincedence.or synchronicity perhaps..as i was talking with my friend who lives in Townsville just the other day. i am inspired! thanks!!

painter man

Please sir can we have some more
keep them coming,great pics

Simon.and.Kate

Keep em' coming Danny - These are awsome!

We're stuggling a bit at the minute with "in-limbo" visa application blues. Things seem to have slowed down somewhat, and we're questioning wether we'll be over for the begining of August...

These were a real pickup though, cheers!

Maple Leaf

yes it does get hard during the processes. keep the faith..as you know it is coming.....even tho i know these words sound lame...it will come.

i tend to do things that keep me on track and my goals...like...at the moment i am exploring properties...jobs etc back in australia even tho i know i wont' be going back anytime too soon. but even that grows boring after awhile. so then i try to remind myself of that saying. Life is what happens whilst your busy making other plans.

hard to live in the moment tho isnt' it..when realy your life is further away in another country. i remember saying a lot..i am sick of living like this. don't want to buy anything new..cos i will either have to get rid of it or take it with me! couldnt' start any courses etc..or even think about a change a job cos what is the point! i am leaving soon!

but believe me it wont' be long till this moment is a distant memory and you will be enjoying your new life in australia!~~and YES these pics have given me a PICK ME up~ aswell~~cheeersss~~

wishing you all the best for your new exciting adventures and future in Oz~..

drdan

Hi Simon, sorry to hear it's getting slow for you. I hope that you hear something soon. It must be difficult putting everything on hold - I know how you feel.

Best wishes to you both,
Danny

drdan

Far North QLD.

We took a holiday this week to stay for a few days in Palm Cove, which is approx 30 mins north of Cairns. Did a day trip into the rainforest & another to Port Douglas, another 45 mins or so north. Weather was actually quite variable - had some rain & cloud cover for a few days, so not all sun & sea this time! I guess it is winter & this is the wet tropics (rather than the dry as in Townsville...).

Stayed at Mango Lagoon Resort & Spa (some pics at link below) which was an absolute bargain from ratestogo.com for $160/night for a 2-bedroom, divided (separate entrance after common front door) apartment. They gave us a "VIP" voucher code to share so friends can get the same deal (quote #1830) if booking direct.

Unfortunately, arrived & realised that kids' clothes suitcase left in their bedroom at home. Hmm... only the clothes on their back. Katy (10) very happy to buy 4 days worth of clothes at Myer (no department stores this big in Townsville!)

Overall, a nice trip but 5 hours drive and beaches not *that* much better than Magnetic Island if that's what you're after & travelling from Townsville. Definitely some nice restaurants. Obviously rainforest a different experience, but Paluma Village is only an hour away.

Larger pics & more
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5276175_Bv5z9


Port Douglas Beach



Flying high



Sky Rail up to Kuranda in the rainforest






Mango Lagoon Resort, Palm Cove




Cairns sea front - hmm, prefer Townsville Strand to be honest...




Palm Cove beach




Playing on the beach

wannabauzzienurse

Lovely pics as usual drdan, got to get my girls to Nippers at Palm Cove in the morning, it's a nice spot we sometimes fish off the jetty but not caught anything yet

I agree the Esplanade foreshore is no picture postcard at low tide but it's teeming with wildlife and fascinating to watch the birds, crabs feeding (well some of us like that sort of thing )

hollykimalan

We are heading to Mackay in Queensland and are looking forward to visiting all the lovely places!
Have one question though...when can you actually go in the water? I mean when is it safe without jellyfish or other nasties!
Now...just have to wait 'till our house sells!
HKA
x

wannabauzzienurse

Not sure about Mackay but here in Cairns the stinger nets came out of the water about a month ago and will go back in around Novemeber time.