WEEK 4 - TOWNSVILLE, MISSION BEACH

Well from dry heat and flies to humid sweaty heat and mozzies.  We've hit the tropics!

Townsville the heart of the military was so hot and humid it was unbearable, you would be sweating in places where you don't normally sweat.  I have to mention The Frosty Mango before I go on which is on the way, everything mango, the best mango ice cream ever.  Also took a quick trip to Murray Falls for some bottom surfing under the waterfalls.  The look on Spencer's face of shear terror going down the rapids was something I'll never forget, but he got up again down he went.

Townsville is not a place we wanted to stay long at. The Strand is very pretty though with beautiful views to Magnetic Island and the Pandanus trees and the big black cockatoos.  We ventured to Reef HQ Aquarium where they have a turtle hospital on the premises.  After the reef trip the kids could really identify  a lot of the fish and coral they saw.  This place was  so interesting we loved it, I could have sat there all day just watching the fish.  They talk to the divers  and have an interactive part where you can ask the diver questions about the sharks and other fish which was pretty cool.  And I think the kids got a lot out of seeing those poor turtles being rescued.

The boys were going to go to the Cowboys game but it was going to cost an arm and a leg and half the night just to get there, they decided to give it a miss.  We all got up super early for the dawn service on the Strand and as the sun was rising over looking Magnetic Island as they played the The Last Post it was a special moment.  We were happy to leave Townsville and hit paradise at Mission Beach, cassowarie country, even though we haven't seen any.

And those beautiful Ulysses butterflies they are everywhere.  It's like all the bugs and insects have been on steroids they are huge up here.  We could actually live up here, even though the locals say the wet season is really hard to get through, which I can understand.  The kids went for a swim in the netted area because the box jelly fish and irukandji are everywhere up here, the beach is filled with vinegar canisters just in case.  It is a pretty idyllic place with the palm and coconut trees swaying in the breeze all I needed was a g&t and some nibbles!!!  Now I know I was only joking to everyone about me turning into an alcoholic but with 3 kids 24/7 there's nothing better than that g&t at the end of the day!  Got some shopping in as well here, after 3 weeks of nothing a girl needs some retail therapy so I got my fix for the next month.

If you are around this way it is worth having a drive to Bingal Bay it's so pretty, peaceful and untouched, no photos sorry was too much in awe.  We hit the waterfalls today and went to Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Ellingaa.  Even though it was raining and low cloud cover it was pretty spectacular and it's only going to get better more north we go.  We also visited the Malanda Dairy farm where they make cheese, yogurt and milk and got to see the way they make it.  The countryside is breathtaking here.

We've been aching for some adult conversation and met some lovely people from Victoria with beautiful kids which we met briefly at Airlie and stayed across from us at Townsville so we are looking forward to catching up with them in Cairns tomorrow.  So will keep you posted with some more tropical fun!!!

TAM'S SURVIVAL TIPS #4
Go off the beaten track, you'll never know what you might find.

Get those kids working, this is not a holiday

TAM'S ON THE ROAD PLAYLIST
More John Butler Trio - Spence has finally come around to love the John
Angus & Julia Stone - Perfect for rainy days

Until next week, keep on truckin!