May 23 - Airlie Beach Rest Day - 0 km

Awake and up before 6:00 am.  Too much noise from street sweepers and other maintenance happening.


Went for a wander about 7:00 to get some breakfast and saw police redirecting traffic away from the main street.  Turns out there was a hit and run last night.


Picked up at YHA at 8:30 to go sea kayaking at Shute Harbour.  Weather was grey, wet and windy.

Paddled out to one of the small islands and saw a sea eagle, a couple of sea turtles and a dugong.  Not the best conditions for looking at wildlife.  Sea was rough and the song from Gilligan's Island kept going through my head.  Tough paddle out to the island against the wind and tide, but an easier trip back.




Stopped at White Rock island and had a look around.  Here is Joe reviewing the weather.

This is what he is looking at.


















Came back and had lunch and decided to go to the LBS (Local Bike Shop) to pump our tyres up.  Glad we did.  We went to the one and only bike shop in Airlie Beach that had been open just one week.  

Chris the owner was really helpful and lent us the pump and as we were chatting, it turned out she had ridden from Cairns to Cape York a few years earlier.  Her first big ride and introduction to touring.  What a way to go!

She did the Cape York ride with 3 other girls.  Gutsy effort. Wish I was doing the Cape York ride with 3 girls.  Don't tell Joe though.

Chris spoke with us for quite awhile about conditions, the route, what to take, how to set the bike up etc.  Great stuff and thanks for the advice Chris.

Chris has just started her business in Airlie Beach and needs customers.  She is a real cyclophile and is VERY passionate and enthusiatic about cycling so if you are up there drop in and have a chat and buy something.  Her website is at www.ridewhitsundays.com 

Went to a bar and watched the first half of State of Origin. Queensland won again.  Interesting watching the crowd though.  Left at half time because Joe was having too much of a good time.