Friday 17th September 2021
Wow, what an amazing day we had on Friday. David and i went or separate ways today. I went to the Outer Reef on a snorkel tour and David went to Habitat Wildlife Park. We both had an amazing day.

So up I got early to get ready, with lots of nervous energy as I so don’t like doing water stuff without my personal lifesaver. My Outer Reef tour ($258 oops!) with ABC Snorkel tours was fantastic. They only take 12 people on their tours with 2 marine biologists. With the quiet time they are having here at the moment we only had 4 people plus our Marine biologist and the skipper. So it was almost a private tour. It was absolutely fantastic. It was a 90 minute boat ride to the Outer Reef which was quite bumpy and I was thinking for a while I had done the wrong thing not taking any seasickness pills but it was okay, I didn’t get sick at all. On the trip out we saw a couple of loggerhead turtles mating. The poor female almost drowns in the process, it was magnificent to witness. Sam, our Marine biologist was so knowledgeable, personable, entertaining and great at spotting the wildlife. We saw a black tip reef shark and an epaulette shark, many varieties of clown fish, trumpet fish, large different wrasse, surgeon fish, angel and butterfly fish, bat fish, juvenile harlequin sweet lips and an adult, many different coloured parrot fish and so, so many more. The coral was amazing too, so varied and colourful. There was many different shapes as well, mushroom coral, tabletop, brain, plus purple and blue staghorn. There was also amazing giant clams and sea cucumbers. It was a spectacular day. I am still buzzing🧜‍♀️🐢🐟🐠🦈
David also had a great day at the Habitat Wildlife Park ($40). Unfortunately his purse strings wouldn’t allow him to join me on the reef. 😥 anyway, he had a great day. He lucked in on a few occasions. He saw the crocodile feeding which showed how big and aggressive they are, he fed a cassowary, walked up close with an emu and kangaroos, saw the jabiru feeding and enjoyed some time in the large bird aviary. He had an enjoyable day.
It was a big day so we didn’t get very far, only 9kms south to the Big 4 Caravan Park Glengarry. We had a big clean out of the car as we weren’t sure if our marsupial from Pinnarendi was still with us. Then had a relaxing dinner. At about 8pm I started getting woosy, it was like I lost my land legs. So I headed to bed but I couldn’t sleep as my head was spinning.
Due to this and waking with a headache this morning we are having a rest day here. We hope to move further south tomorrow.