Touring Townsville

Townsville - lovely city of the north. Ferried the car to Magnetic Island (Maggie Island) and did our own discovery tour. The crossing only took 35 mins (Bob was pleased with that). On arrival, we were pleased to see the sign "NO IMMEDIATE DANGER of a cyclone".

The population is 2000 on this not-so-small island - it has its own bus service, school, taxi and more. Some very appealing beaches but the water was still a tad on the cold side so no swimming.

One of the lovely beaches on the island.

Castle Hill Lookout - what a view!!!

There were many fit-looking people walking up to this lookout and it was steep. An older man was riding his bike up the steep, winding road.

At the top of the lookout, there is a WW2 bunker. Many Japanese aircraft flew over Townsville dropping propaganda; hundreds of people evacuated and went inland.

ReefHQ - living coral reef in huge aquarium - it's difficult to describe but we stayed there for ages just watching the fish and other sea creatures float and swim through the different forms of coral. This is a highlight of Townsville. Listening to the excitement from the kids wanting to know the names of the fish or calling to their parents to come and see this was great. What an excellent place to learn about the sea, the environment and conservation! My photographs just don't do this place justice (we are seriously going to look for a new camera when we get home).

Some of the coral looks as though it has been painted - the colours are so vibrant.

This turtle was so determinded to cross the rock bridge. It did not give up, kept persisting and it finally made it to the other side.

This aquarium houses several turtles and fresh water fish. Plenty of space for them to swim and they weren't worried about people; Robert peered over the edge and turtles immediately surfaced near him - probably thought he had food.
We watched them for ages as well.