Day 28 – Mission Beach to Airlie Beach

Great news – the Prado started this morning (a great big sigh of relief from the three of us)

After a quick breakfast we were on our way by 8:30am but not before we took in the breathtaking Mission Beach Coastline. Just lovely.

Beautiful Mission Beach

Beautiful Mission Beach looking the other way

The photo below of Harper just sums up the mornings car trip. This morning was one of her worst, she was not a happy camper (I dont think any of us are really happy campers after 28 days actually). Nothing would settle her and it was awful. I just don’t cope with the car crying and stress, it really bothers me. After her lunch feed it was clear she wasn’t going to sleep so we had no alternative but to pull up at a rest stop and give her some car time out.

25 mins later we were back on the road and fortunately 10 minutes later sleep took over and it was bliss. At one point all three were asleep and I was in heaven!

We were undecided as to whether we would push through to Mackay or stop at Airlie Beach for the night. A better look at the Big 4 brochure cemented our decision and Airlie Beach it was (the picture was nicer).

Thank goodness we stopped. This place is beautiful and if we weren’t a few days behind schedule we would definitely stay here for a few days. Plenty of shade, great pool, clean amenities, it’s great and well worth a return trip (maybe a flight up, hire car and a cabin stay next time though). The only annoying thing is the midges – I’ve never encounted them before and don’t really want to again. We all had to spray on the repellant and burn some citronella to keep them at bay. We can no longer claim that Harper has been bite free as she did sustain a few bites.

Our nice shady campsite at Airlie Beach

The pool at Airlie Beach

Playground at Airlie Beach

Anthony and I set up together for the first time this trip. Harper just sat and played on her mat, allowing us to do a complete set up together. Once the washing was on and something to eat was found for Ethan it was off to the pool for a refreshing dip. Harper had a great time in her new floating chair while Ethan dive bombed off the pools edge.

Anthony and Harper enjoying the pool at Airlie Beach

We decided to treat ourselves to a bistro meal at the local tavern and it was delicious. Anthony and E leaving nothing behind. After dinner we took a drive into the main street of Airlie Beach and again it was beautiful. Plenty of places to stay, eat and play as well as shopping. Anthony spent some time in Airlie Beach about 7 years ago and hardly recognised it. There are markets on down there in the morning but I don’t think we’ll have time to visit 😦

Our fellow travellers drove from Rockhampton to Noosa today stopping at Sarina for lunch. They too enjoyed a delicious dinner out on the town folowed by a walk along the fairy lit streets and beach. Katreen was hesitant to leave after being told there were markets on the next morning.

All set up at Noosa

A lovely family shot of Brooke, Katreen and Paul

Interesting fact of the day – The Whitsunday islands were named by James Cook in 1770, he believed he passed through the islands on the Christian festival day of Whit Sunday. It is now widely believed he did not pass through on this day due to crossing the international date line.