Day 29 to 30. July 18 and 19 2022. Airlie Beach. Money town.

Tourist central. Driving into Airlie is a bit like coming into Queenstown, NZ. It is beautiful. Here we have water, juxtaposed with forest on the mountains, lots of yachts and islands in the distance. Driving through Airlie Beach town, it is also similar, with the most prevalent shop on the strip being “tourist information”, booking agencies to do skydiving, the best ever snorkelling experience, boats to ship you to the same beach every one else is going to in the Whitsundays. The marina is astoundingly abundant with yachts, curuisers, and probably the odd Russian Oligarchs confiscated boat. This is where the money is at, but also like Queenstown, it is clear that it is serviced by a community from outside the beach itself.

The foreshore man made lagoon is amazing to walk around, and due to the fact that Airlies actual beach is a bit rubbish. This is where the beautiful people are sunning themselves on the grass, using a slat from a venetian blind as bathers. Good move lying on the grass, as those swimsuits look uncomfortable enough without having the issue of potentially getting coarse sand in them.

During the day we went to check out Cedar Creek falls to try and get our steps up, but they had inconveniently placed the waterfall right next to the carpark and we failed miserably in that endeavour. The falls are indeed quite nice to look at, and one guy was trying out his new $3,000 drone and got it to fly around a bit, but was scared of losing it in the water. The one flight he did get, he forgot to push record, and it was entertaining to see his 8 year old son give him hell for it, and then his wife when she found out too. She was wondering aloud what good is a $3,000 video camera is if it doesn’t do the video camering.

The surprise here is Conway beach. Looking for a coffee, we turn left instead of right and end up in the tiniest town with a beach that at low tide has basically only sand, with the water being so far out. The only shop in this town was at the caravan park, and it was done up very tastefully in 60’s rock and roll paraphernalia. I have a milk shake to keep in theme with the café. No a “tourist information” booking agencies for miles.

We are still not keen on snorkelling with a school of tourists due to it still being very low twenties, and the water not being any warmer. We decide to do a sunset cruise on a tall ship. This was a nice way to spend the evening, get out on the water and meet some other people.