Off to Whitsunday Islands

After spending one day at our home exchange, we had to get up on the 26th to make a flight to the Whitsunday Islands.  Actually flying into the mainland at Airlie Beach and then boating over to Whitsunday Islands.  It was a short two night trip but definitely worth it.  Airlie Beach was a fantastic beach town (half family oriented with a beautiful ocean front lagoon that was perfect for kids and the other half geared toward backpackers looking to take advantage of the Great Barrier Reef).  Our hotel was an apartment styled and was gorgeous with views of the ocean.  We had a wonderful day on a full day boat tour.  We snorkeled, hiked and got some great pictures.  It was a gorgeous day and Lily really seemed to enjoy herself.

 Airlie beach

Lagoon at Airlie beach.  Very nice salt water pool right next to the ocean with lots of stuff for the kids to play with.  A nice diversion from the actual beach.

Chris and Lily on our boat to the Whitsunday Islands near the Great Barrier Reef

 

Overlooking Hill Inlet on the further side of the Whitsunday Islands.  Yes, the sand was really that white.  It was amazing.  And because it was so light it didn't get hot.

Our boat.  It looks a little small in the picture but actually fit about 45 people comfortably.

More pictures of Hill Inlet

Thanks goodness for full rash guard swim suit for Lily.  No burns for this little girl.

We had to wear full stinger suits when swimming in the deeper water or snorkeling.  Apparently in Australia they have over 100 types of jellyfish that are incredibly poisonous.  One sting and you are dead.  Thus the reason for the stinger suit.  I think Lily looked so cute in hers.

We stopped at Whitsunday beach for a nice BBQ.  The beach was wonderful for swimming and we had  lots of fish all around us.  It was a warm up for snorkeling for Lily.

Some little fish while snorkeling.  There were some big ones too.  And we did see lots of jellyfish so thank goodness for the stinger suits.a

 A picture of Lily starting to snorkel on a snorkel board.  The mask was a little much for her but they had a great little board for her to look at all the fish with.  Plus they threw fish food all around her and let the fishes swim all around. I thought she would freak out but she loved it. 

A goanna (large lizard) hanging out while we at our lunch.  He was about 4 feet long which was plenty big for me.  But apparently they get 7 or 8 feet long.