The binge drinking, gappie tour continues as we work our way south. Greyhound buses and campers pull in on the hour, dropping off yet more 19/20 year olds - keen to have a good time. On route to Townsville, the Capital of Queensland - we spent the night and broke the journey at Mission Beach.
Talk about the picture perfect beach and think post card pictures - Mission is that exactly. Leaning palms throw shade across the wide, white sand beach. A handful of sporty types walk purposefully along the wet sand, as others chill in the stinger net, guarded by the Aussie life savers.
The beach rolls on for miles - with nothing but holiday units and hotels to spoil the bush back drop. In the distance, Dunk Island breaks the horizon. We loved Mission. To me it expresses everything the east coast of Aus is all about. Sun, beach and chilled towns.
With a room secured at Scotty’s hostel - we headed to get some food. Like with everything else in Aus - we were directed to Woolies...the shortened name for Woolworths supermarket to grab some food. It really is amazing how they manage to shorten words which really don’t need shortening - Sanger is a sandwich, thongs are your flip flops, budgies are ones swimming trunks - you get the gist!
Anyway - we grabbed a couple of tinnies and some bites and headed to the beach front for a picnic. Outdoor living is made so easy out here. Every park, beach and pool is decked out with barbies, water, picnic benches and bins. Quite the opposite to how we found it in New Zealand - where they couldn’t make it harder to dispose of unwanted items! We cracked open the beers and enjoyed a little after dark pic-nix, consisting of couscous salad and falafel. We haven’t joined the vegan band wagon but a little veggie never did anyone any harm!
From Mission, the long drive through nothing too much to write home about, we arrived at Townsville. A small city on the banks of the sea - two attractions drag in the road trippers. Castle hill and the Strand. The first - a strange looking rock which stands tall above the city. A mini table mountain, only with expensive sea view properties built into its scree. Needless to say, the 38 degree temperatures and high humidity dissuaded is to venture up it. We very much enjoyed the view it gave rather than what it may offer from the summit.
The strand on the other hand was some place to visit. A 2.2km boardwalk, stretching from the rock pool at one end to the marina at the other. Along its entirety, much needed restbite from the sun is provided by a strip of palms. On the ocean side - outdoor gyms and playgrounds occupy little kids and their parents alike. The road side - restaurants and cafes feed the onlookers. The strand had a brilliant energy to it. The beach it overlooked - as will come as no surprise - empty but for small stretches in front of the nets!! In the distance - Maggie stands proudly in the sea. Maggie is not a women. Maggie is not a sculpture. It is just another shortened word for Magnetic Island. One of Australia’s most iconic destinations.
With a trip to the Whitsundays already booked - we skipped this experience, in the hope our future encounter may live up to its billing. If you are here - the ferry will scoot you over in no time. You’ll get to know Maggie pretty well either way!
Much of our time in Townie was spent cooling off in the rock pool. An artificial pool, fed by sea water but protected by cages from any nasties! Although no where near as clear and welcoming as the lagoon in Cairns - you would be jumping in and cooling yourself too if you were thrust into these temperatures too!! Not even the life guard informing us a kid had dropped a poo in the water stopped us from getting in. After all - where do you think cruise ships and sailing boats drop their tanks when you are bathing in the deep blue seas of our worlds?
Aside from the strand - Townsville offers its passers a good time at night and a decent top up of vitamin D. A strip of bars and restaurants can be found near the marina for those a little hungrier for a party. Bouncers were flanked by young women wearing limited clothing, enticing folk into pumping bars. Suffice to say our carrying of fruit juices prevented them firing too much attention in our direction. Instead we opted for the Souvlaki Bar on the strand. What a choice we made - this place churned out Gyros and Kebabs with some velocity. Not only did they make a roaring trade, but what was inside the little paper wraps was unforgettably tasty. Go there!
If you are looking for a party, you will probably stall in Townsville for a night or two - if not, snap the rock and walk the strand. Stall in Mission Beach instead -you'll thank us later!