Magnetic Island After spending one night only on Mission Beach - again because of the weather, we heading further south to Townsville. We arrived at around half seven in the evening and instead of the usual backpacker hostel, had booked into a cheap hotel. The place was really spooky with long dark corridors and hardly anyone around. It then became a mission and a half to find somewhere to get some food - even McDonalds was closed. Our conclusion was that Townsvi...

Arrived in Cairns early thursday morning after flying through the night and barely getting a wink of sleep. It was raining too! Cant believe it - I was hoping to avoid all such precipitous weather until my return to Blighty. Good thing I have an umbrella with me. Although I should count my lucky stars that I am not in Vietnam with Al as he has just survived a particularly nasty Typhoon!Our backpacker hostel is quite a place - think Butlins on heat. It's fully...