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A jig on the waves
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Getaway Queensland can turn the hardiest landlubber into a water baby
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Thrills on the sea Beaches in Queensland offer lots of adventurous activities
The Pacific was an intense shade of royal blue as it lapped up on the golden sands of Mission Beach, Queensland where I was standing listening to Atlanta Willy explain the simple rowing and steering techniques of the double-seater, 7.2 metre-long and
sleek sea kayak. We were getting ready to row out to Dunk Island, whose rain forests ended just a few meters before the golden sand that was shining in the sun, calling to us like a beacon across the ink blue water.
It was a wonderful sunny day without a cloud in the sky and as we rowed out, the kayaks making good pace thanks to their streamline shape and Atlanta’s enthusiastic rowing. I was far too engrossed with my camera. Turtles popped their heads out and dugongs sometimes surfaced and disappeared again with a wave. There was regular traffic on the Pacific. Water taxis zipped across to the island and jet skis skimmed across waves, a silly grin plastered on the riders’ faces – two days later I would know why! Overhead, small airplanes made passes over Dunk Island to check if the landing strip was clear. Atlanta explained that Dunk Island’s landing strip was built during World War Two when the Japanese were steam rolling across South East Asia. A radar warning post (No. 27 Radar Station Royal Australian Air Force) was set up on Dunk Island because the Imperial Navy of Japan had set its sights on Australia.
The Japanese never got there, but we did after an hour of paddling across 5km from the mainland. Atlanta went into the shade thrown by the trees to set up lunch while Richard and Karen (a couple who’d rowed across with us) and I donned on our snorkelling gear that had been stowed away in the kayak’s boot and swum into the water to gawp at the underwater corals and get acquainted with some fish. In the meantime, Atlanta had set up a tropical lunch of fruit (which featured the sweetest pineapple I’ve ever eaten) sandwiches, chutneys and spreads.
Fortified, we set off to the Porterboi Island that was 15-minute paddle away. This island is a coral beach with coarse broken coral making up the sand. I picked a lovely fluted piece sculpted by the sea into a figurine shaped like the asp that bit Cleopatra and it emitted a mellow whistle when blown into. Unfortunately I couldn’t take it with me as these islands are part of the Great Barrier Reef National Park and a heritage site. You can’t take anything away off the islands or the reef.
The next morning while I was driving towards Townsville, I was accompanied by a mild ache in my shoulders and upper arms, the result of all the paddling. But it was a pleasant kind of ache bringing on a sense of achievement of having paddled across the sea and spending a great day snorkelling in tropical waters and exploring a unique region complemented by Atlanta’s intricate knowledge about the history and geology of the area.
Townsville’s biggest star is Magnetic Island, so named because 238 years ago Captain Cook’s compasses went haywire while sailing past the island. Today it is affectionately called Maggie by the locals and it is an absolutely rocking place. Its secluded bays and splendid beaches, and the water activities on offer will turn the hardiest landlubber into a water baby. Any driver will love the quirky thrills on offer by hiring a Mini Moke which is the coolest way to drive around Magnetic Island. And walkers and backpackers will just love the forested tracks to secluded coves and the party atmosphere that is like a year-round climatic condition on this delightful island.
Driving that rock-solid 25-year-old Moke along the twisty road from Nelly to Horseshoe Bay with the bright blue Pacific and golden beaches for company, the nippy wind seemed to howl at me that this is holidaying on a sublime plane. I was zipping towards Horseshoe Bay to meet Peter and Sharon who run Adrenalin Jet Ski. Their Sea-Doos (a make of Jet Skis) were 150 horsepower monsters that could cut across the water at 93kph. In response to my question about how they handle, Peter simply said, “After 75 minutes, you’ll want to buy one”. I remember when I opened the throttle wide for the first time, my Sea-Doo took off like a hungry cheetah after a delicious gazelle. The trick of making the jet-ski do a thrillingly tight turn that would throw a spray of water on your face was to give it a lot of throttle. Once I got the knack of it. I was skimming the water and launching off waves at 80kph. True to Peter’s word, when we got back to the beach and cut the engines, I had this burning desire to buy one.
After a week along the Pacific, I feel if beaches and water sports are your idea of a splendid holiday then North Queensland has got a magnificent act ready for you to experience.
Just a click away
Log on to these websites is planning a trip
www.tropicalaustralia.com.au for the entire region.
David and Atlanta run Coral Sea Kayaking and see what they have on offer at www.coralseakayaking.com
Know more about the Magnetic Island and Townsville at www.townsvilleholidays.info
A charming place to put up at on Magnetic Island is Mantra 1 Bright Point
( www.onebrightpoint.com.au)
You can contact Adrenalin Jet Ski on magneticjet@beyond.net.au or +61 (0)7 47785533.
RISHAD SAAM MEHTA
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