After leaving Cooroy, we completed a 5 day road trip back North to Mossman. On the way, we made a few stops that were highlighted by kayaking with sea turtles, snorkeling and lounging on Whitehaven and swimming below Australia's largest single drop waterfall.
While the kayaking, snorkeling and Whitehaven beach were the highlights, the entire road trip was fun. That's the thing about driving and not making any plans other than the direction you are driving (North for us this time); unexpected little adventures pop up.
   
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Now for the highlights! We'll start with the unexpected and pleasant stop in Clairview. We made an effort not to really plan anything and just drive. We did jot down a few options where we could stay but for the most part, we wanted the freedom to do what we wanted.
We made our first stop for the night at the Clairview Beach Holiday Park. Nothing to write home about. There was also nothing in the area to check out. We picked the spot because it was right on the water and it looked like it had some clean toilets and showers (always important!). There was absolutely nothing nearby. We planned on stopping at a Woolies but ended up having to settle for some cheap snacks in the very limited holiday park store. After a chat with one of the other camping residents, we found out that the kayaks on the beach are free for all guests. First thing in the morning, we walked over to grab the kayaks but were just beat by a family of three. With only one kayak, we were bummed out and just about to leave when one of the longer staying camping residents overhead us and offered up his kayak for me to use. I walked over to his campsite with him, he introduced me to his dog and then pointed to his kayak for me to take. I enjoyed it so much, it may be the one I get when we get home.
We paddled out in the calm waters and kept our eyes out for green turtles. We were told they show up in the morning near the mangroves. It was a beautiful warm day with islands sprinkled in the distance. We couldn't have asked for better conditions. A bit of searching around and we were treated to 4 turtles swimming in the area and popping up for a breath of air. It was the best way to start the day off. We didn't want to head back to shore but needed to make our way further north.
We made our first stop for the night at the Clairview Beach Holiday Park. Nothing to write home about. There was also nothing in the area to check out. We picked the spot because it was right on the water and it looked like it had some clean toilets and showers (always important!). There was absolutely nothing nearby. We planned on stopping at a Woolies but ended up having to settle for some cheap snacks in the very limited holiday park store. After a chat with one of the other camping residents, we found out that the kayaks on the beach are free for all guests. First thing in the morning, we walked over to grab the kayaks but were just beat by a family of three. With only one kayak, we were bummed out and just about to leave when one of the longer staying camping residents overhead us and offered up his kayak for me to use. I walked over to his campsite with him, he introduced me to his dog and then pointed to his kayak for me to take. I enjoyed it so much, it may be the one I get when we get home.
We paddled out in the calm waters and kept our eyes out for green turtles. We were told they show up in the morning near the mangroves. It was a beautiful warm day with islands sprinkled in the distance. We couldn't have asked for better conditions. A bit of searching around and we were treated to 4 turtles swimming in the area and popping up for a breath of air. It was the best way to start the day off. We didn't want to head back to shore but needed to make our way further north.
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Our second stop was a place that we have been looking forward to for a very long LONG time. The Whitsunday Islands did not disappoint at all. We stayed two nights at the Island Holiday Park Getaway in Airlie Beach (the jumping point for anything and everything in the Whitsundays). The first day we walked around Airlie beach, did a bit of window shopping and pretty much relaxed.
The following morning we jumped into a speedboat to check out Whitehaven Beach, do a bit of snorkeling and hopefully catch a glimpse of some dolphins or whales. We made our first stop less than an hour into the ride for some snorkeling fun. We saw heaps of fish, a green sea turtle and a few bell jellyfish (right in front of our faces).
After almost an hour in the water, we sped off towards Whitsunday Islands National Park for a short bush walk and one of the most beautiful sights we've seen; Whitehaven Beach and Inlet.
The following morning we jumped into a speedboat to check out Whitehaven Beach, do a bit of snorkeling and hopefully catch a glimpse of some dolphins or whales. We made our first stop less than an hour into the ride for some snorkeling fun. We saw heaps of fish, a green sea turtle and a few bell jellyfish (right in front of our faces).
After almost an hour in the water, we sped off towards Whitsunday Islands National Park for a short bush walk and one of the most beautiful sights we've seen; Whitehaven Beach and Inlet.
Absolutely Stunning! I've see this spot in so many pictures over the years and missed it my first visit to the area. It was a great feeling to finally get there and enjoy it properly; not rushed and with Anelle. Ocean Rafting is the only company that is able to get their boats through the waterways seen above. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend their company. FAST and FUN. Who doesn't like a speed boat? It's like trying NOT to smile on a jet ski...everyone smiles!!
Our last stop was on the world famous Whitehaven Beach; one of the top 5 most beautiful beaches in the world (according to people who poll this stuff.) Our boat took us straight to the beach where we simply disembarked straight into the warm water. We lounged on the beach, exfoliated using its whiiiiiiiiiite WHITE silica sand, had a great lunch, filmed a few lace monitors, took a few dips in the water and played in probably one of the best tide pools we've ever explored.
On the way back, we saw two whales! The perfect ending to all the wildlife we saw that day. We couldn't stop smiling for a few days just thinking about everything we did with Ocean Rafting.
Our last stop was on the world famous Whitehaven Beach; one of the top 5 most beautiful beaches in the world (according to people who poll this stuff.) Our boat took us straight to the beach where we simply disembarked straight into the warm water. We lounged on the beach, exfoliated using its whiiiiiiiiiite WHITE silica sand, had a great lunch, filmed a few lace monitors, took a few dips in the water and played in probably one of the best tide pools we've ever explored.
On the way back, we saw two whales! The perfect ending to all the wildlife we saw that day. We couldn't stop smiling for a few days just thinking about everything we did with Ocean Rafting.
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Our last stop on this road trip towards Mossman was at Wallaman Falls, which is the highest single drop waterfall in Australia. We got to the the national park and set up camp just right around the corner from the actual waterfall. I have to say that we have become tent set up and take down pros! With as much camping as we have done over the last year, I suppose it should be expected. Anyhow, the next morning Anelle and I got up early and headed straight to the start of Wallaman Falls descent.
By the time we got to the bottom, we had the entire area to ourselves. It took us a while to get into the water because it was pretty cold and there were clouds covering the warm morning sun. In fact, we stripped down to our bathing suits and chickened out because of the weather. Just when we were ready to leave and make the trek back up, the sun poked out right above the falls. We quickly stripped down again and got straight in...well, that's a bit of a lie. It took some courage and a bit of a slip on my part to get in or should I say FALL IN. Anelle got in shortly after. The important thing to remember, is that we got in! We didn't complete the hike and come all this way NOT to get in the water. At the end, it was a perfect and refreshing kick start to our day....then we had to make the steeeeeeeeep hike up.
By the time we got to the bottom, we had the entire area to ourselves. It took us a while to get into the water because it was pretty cold and there were clouds covering the warm morning sun. In fact, we stripped down to our bathing suits and chickened out because of the weather. Just when we were ready to leave and make the trek back up, the sun poked out right above the falls. We quickly stripped down again and got straight in...well, that's a bit of a lie. It took some courage and a bit of a slip on my part to get in or should I say FALL IN. Anelle got in shortly after. The important thing to remember, is that we got in! We didn't complete the hike and come all this way NOT to get in the water. At the end, it was a perfect and refreshing kick start to our day....then we had to make the steeeeeeeeep hike up.
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It was am incredible road trip. We had so much fun on this one. It wasn't just the big stuff like the Whitsundays, kayaking and the waterfall. It was the driving with no solid plan, the huge mango, camping with no permit and being afraid of a fine. All the things in between made it memorable.
Check out the GoPro footage below!
Check out the GoPro footage below!
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