Time to leave Cairns and head South on a 650km drive to Airlie Beach in preparation for sailing round the Whitsunday Islands.
We shared the driving allowing us to make maximum progress. Unfortunately as my name is on the rental agreement any speeding tickets will come my way. I was checking Nicola's speed constantly!
The agriculture is different from anything we are used to being mainly sugar cane and bananas. The sugar cane is especially interesting as the old crop remains to be harvested while next years crop is at various stages of growth. The crop is transported to the factories using narrow gauge railways which are everywhere. It would be great to see some being harvested as the trains are really long and derail from time to time. Harvest happens between June and October near Cairns and June to December near Brisbane. The factories looked particularly decrepit so either they can go with minimal maintenance or else there is little money in the crop. I seem to think the former.
The banana plants all seem to have a bag attached to them at various points (generally 1 per plant). We think this is to keep pests like fruit bats away from the growing bunches. Other trees also had nets covering them presumably for the same reason.
The other main thing we noticed was the number of roadworks with 90% controlling traffic using people with Stop/Slow boards. We are not sure if this helps improve traffic flows or reduces unemployment but nearly without exception they all gave a smile as you passed and it is difficult to speed while being looked at!
Our diet not very healthy consisting of Pringles and soft fruit sweets that Beryl had introduced us to earlier in the trip.
Arrived in Airlie Beach at sunset after a 9 hour drive. The town is very pretty with a great beach. First task is to locate the pre-booked lodging at our first backpackers. We originally thought it was in the centre of town next to the equivalent of Gilligan's in Cairns. This is open till the very early hours with throbbing music. Luckily it was not! Xbase is reasonably priced with separate accommodation blocks positioned around a swimming pool.
Second task is food and here we struck gold with the Sidewalk Cafe. Not only was the Barramundi and Chips excellent but the chef had decided we did not have enough chips so an additional bowl was brought along. What really made the meal was the entertainment with up-to 4 guitarists playing some great music. Very atmospheric.
An early bed as the pickup tomorrow is 07:10. This is becoming a habit!