Tuesday 19th October 2021
Well, it was an early start today as our preferred times of 11am or 1pm for our departure to Magnetic Island were fully booked, so we had to leave at 9am. I suppose booking at midday yesterday may have something to do with it, but that’s ok. We arrived at the jetty at 8.20am ready to go. It was a beautiful day with blue sky and a little cloud.

We enjoyed a lovely ferry ride to Magnetic Island, arriving just before 10 at Nelly Bay. We then proceeded to drive around the western side of the island, first stop Picnic Bay, where we had a lovely walk along the beach and a chat with a guesthouse owner, who is suffering the lack of tourist caused by border closures due to Covid19. Everywhere we go it is the same sentiment for business owners. It is very sad. Picnic Bay is very pretty with its yellow sandy beaches and beautiful blue water. There is a surf club here and a lovely swimming bay if the stinger season Nov-May wasn’t imminent. We then headed to West Point, another yellow sandy beach and then back to Picnic Bay for lunch.

After lunch we drove to Horseshoe Bay and then found our accommodation at the Bungalow Bay Koala Village. Unfortunately the 30% rain chance forecast came to fruition, so I had to lay up in the tent and read my book for a couple of hours. Shame, oh, shame. The rain only lasted for about 20 mins and then the clouds blew over to a lovely blue sky again. We had a lovely restful afternoon. We are back to our camping lifestyle and enjoyed stir-fry prawns and vegetables for dinner. It is a tough life.

There is a very high backpacker population at the campground and they were in fine form tonight until the lights and music at the bar were turned off at about 9.30pm. They then went away and we now have lovely quiet except for all the nocturnal animals and birdlife. We are looking forward to another lovely day exploring the island tomorrow.

Take care and stay safe at home, we are missing you all. xxx