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Airlie Beach & The Whit Sunday Islands

Airlie Beach, (the access point to the Whit Sunday Island) how phenomenally gown over the past 10-15 years and now its home to sailers, holiday makers and back packers alike.

The hostell scene in Airlie beack is as rich as anywhere. Along the main Shute Harbour Road are many places of stay and bars & resturants alike.
The cheapest place to stay in Airlie beach is a place called Reefo's resort, a 5 minute driver out of the centre but the place has minibus pickup and drop offs from the bus terminal. The hostel itself is a wonderful place with log huts as dorms and large pool & bar area.
Now the best bet was the price, We paid just $5 a night!! yes 5 bucks a night for bed and catch this, breakfast thrown in as well!

Pictured here is a possom trying to get his hands on some of that breakfast!

The whit sunday Islands

The Whitsundays consist of of some 74 individual islands scattered off the coast of the Conway national Park. Curiously thought the island rage was misnamed, She sailed through this region on what he thought was Whit Sunday, although when he got back to England, he reaised his meticulously kept log was a day out as he hadn't taken into account crossing the international dateline.

Pictured (above) is The wonderful resort of South Mole Island and (left) is Hook Island, a remote back to nature resort with very basic accomodation and both islands have superb access to the Great Barrier reef

Diving and snorkling is fabulous from the islands. You can take a course and trip to do some great diving on the reef or as a cheaper but stil fascinating option, go snorkling from the islands.

I picked up a cheap mask and snorkle and it the best investment I have made. You dont need to be strong swimmer and if diving dosnt appeal to you then Im sure snorkling will. Its just like jumping inot a tropical fish tank and the warm waters makes if wonderful experience and you float around with the many different species of fish that come to check you out.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic island is located off the coast of Townsville. You can access it by ferry on a regular high speed, low cost cross and thus proves very popular with the backpacking crowd.

When you arrive at the jetty, you are greeted by the reps from the hostels on the island and can get a free ride there. Geoffs place is probaly the most popular hostell on the island.

One bad thing I found on Magnetic island was the presence of bed bugs and sand flies, I caught them both.
 beware of hostels what are not sprayed on a reglular basis and ones that are not cleans daily as well. I ended up with over 200 bites on my body and suffered somewhat for a few days, so bewarned if someone in your room reports bugs! ask for a change!

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Last modified on Tuesday, February 09, 1999