The Fort and Picnic Beach

Today we woke to rain for the first time on our trip, although it was still about 20 degrees. The rain didn't last long and after checking out the latest news of the soccer world cup (NZ out but so was Italy - so not a bad result!) we bought an all day bus ticket and headed to our first stop - the Forts Walk. This is a 1 1/2 hour walk (4kms) up to an old Fort that was in service during the 2nd World War after Townsville was hit by a few Japanese Bombers. From this strategic spot up the top of a high knob gunners were able to spot enemy planes and then tried to bring them down before they caused any damage on the mainland. On our walk we were warned to stick to the path to avoid stepping on any death adders (very poisonous snake) and we spotted 3 koalas in trees alongside the path as well as some bats in the old ammo store. From this walk we caught another bus on to Picnic Beach. There was quite a strong southerly blowing (I wish our southerlies were as warm as these ones) and we had a picnic and wandered out to the edge of the old wharf (where the ferries used to dock before the Nelly Bay terminal was built) then caught a bus back to Horseshoe Bay. The kids had a swim then we got ready to go out for dinner which was a 10 minute walk away. We treated ourselves to a pizza, curry and fish at the local backbackers and wandered back home under a fullmoon in the balmy night. Its a pity we have to pack up and leave this little slice if paradise tomorrow - but Pearl awaits us patiently to take us on the next leg of our adventure!