I Found the Sweet Spot
Since leaving Cairns, my journey has taken an unexpectedly fantastic turn. In the past few weeks, I’ve found myself making new friends, sharing laughs, exploring remote islands, hiking through rainforests, swimming in natural infinity pools, camping on the beach, spotting native wildlife, basking by lakes, dancing on a boat and sampling a variety of ice creams.
Upon revisiting the Atherton Tablelands region, I was so relieved by the coolness of the evenings and the friendliness of the people I met. I was recommended a backpackers lodge in Yungaburra which lets vanlifers park outside and use the amenities for a fee. The place was adorable and it had such good vibes. During the days I hiked, explored and swam in lakes and creeks. The evenings were spent imbibing with a variety of European backpackers, most of them working locally in restaurants and banana farms. After a few fabulous days there, I traveled down to Bingil Bay near Mission Beach and met up with a new friend. This backpackers is somewhat of a treehouse in the rainforest. Again, very chill and friendly vibes. My friend and I decided to go to Dunk Island, a small remote island just a couple kilometres from Mission Beach and reached by water taxi. Dunk Island offers a beachside campground and walking tracks with stunning views. I bought a cheap tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag for the occasion. We arrived around 9:30 and set up the tent to put all our stuff in.
After a hike and a light lunch, we jumped in that beautiful blue water. Later, new friend Nick managed to open up a coconut for us. There was a small storm that lasted about an hour so we just hid in his tent. The sun came back out. At some point, I went to go dance on the pier. It was so inviting.
I laid down flat at the tip of the pier and at some point I lifted my head and it was perfect timing to see a gigantic sea turtle pop his head up for air. He was massive. We snacked all day and night and drank red wine. At some stage we decided it would be a good idea to move campsites from here
To here
As it was a bit windy on that side of the island.
There were heaps of mosquitoes and march flies but we managed okay. It was such a funny and silly adventure.
Upon returning, Nick and I went back to the hostel to find that our new friends there had prepared a pre-birthday sunset picnic for Nick (who was turning 34 the next day). Mind you, these new friends were people we’d only met a couple days prior. They had picked up some beers and snacks and we made a plan to meet at Bingil Bay beach. It was very sweet.
The next day, Nicks birthday, I organised a little pool party with cake and Prosecco at the hostel. I think he appreciated it. We eventually went back to the beach for another picnic.
The next day was my departure to Townsville. I had a rough start with the van as she overheated immediately but luckily a mechanic helped me out and I was able to make it to Townsville. Mel left a key out for me and I had a very sweet welcome crew as she was still at work when I arrived.
Mel has a new boyfriend so he was a new permanent fixture. Shy but nice enough. We went up to Castle Hill for a sunset and then dinner by the strand, which was nice. Also, I was lucky enough to be in Townsville for Octoberfest. I threw together a costume on a budget and we had a super fun, super silly day. I won second place in the beer stein holding competition and Mel won second place in the sausage eating context. She thought she was robbed though.
While I was in Townsville, despite the oppressive heat, I went for a hike up to Mount Louisa lookout, had a visit to the beach and the strand and up to Castle Hill again for a sunset picnic.
The following day and after finding out that Hollie needs a new head gasket, I decided to head straight to Airlie Beach. Upon arriving, I drove to the marina to meet a guy named Boyd. Boyd lives on a boat and had advertised on my traveling solo group that he was looking for someone to accompany him for some island hopping in the Whitsundays. Despite a few people enquiring, I was the chosen one. He took me on his dinghy over to the Yacht Club and buys me lunch. Then we go back to his boat to check it out. Even the dinghy ride around Airlie was pretty exciting, much less my own v berth (private room) on a 48ft boat. We collected supplies and ran errands before dropping Hollie and his car off at his friend’s paddock. After a day and a half, we were off. Sailing into the Whitsundays. Boyd is a very nice guy, very open and generous and he’s been taking me to some incredible spots. It’s so beautiful out here, it’s kind of unbelievable.
After so much indecisiveness about heading south again, it’s been such a beautiful few weeks. I’m so grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and I’m also excited for what the future will bring.
