With workshops in Mackay on the Thursday prior, the 2015 Australia Day weekend was the ideal opportunity to visit one of my favourite locations, Airlie Beach.
Driving up to Airlie, I had visited the August 2014 before with Scott, Mum and Dad, but only for 1 night. On that visit we stayed at a fantastic hotel, Boathouse Apartments by Outrigger on the marina, and this time we had an apartment with a view at Peppers.
On the Friday afternoon we checked out the main street albeit with the weather being very steamy and local places like Magnums where we had a cheap meal and listened to a good local duo.
Saturday we had a lazy day and considered what we should do as a special activity for our wedding anniversary and Australia Day. Dinner was seafood at a very relaxing Shipwrecked Seafood Bar & Grill.
On Sunday we booked two tickets on a sailing yacht to an uninhabited island close to Hayman Island. Sharing the trip with just one other couple, we snorkelled on the edge of the reef in our very attractive stinger suits but it was quite choppy.
I loved seeing the rainbow fish and the captain served us an impressive seafood lunch with mussels, prawns, fresh crusty bread and a variety of salads. The only downside with this trip was the sunscreen didn’t cut it and we both got really burnt.
Having reviewed all sorts of different options for activities to do, a Jet Ski tour was the choice for Australia Day Monday. Taking one Jet Ski for the both of us, after the safety briefing by the bronzed blokies, we headed out to the marina to board the skis. With a quick lesson tour members followed one by one at a slower pace across the bay.
The tour guides took photos in front of mansions and then the group crossed back across the bay headed to Turtle Cove at faster pace. Quick stop for another pic and turtle spotting, we saw quite a few of them stick their heads up above the water line.
Then it was on for young and old as the tour sped over to the ship wreck. It was whilst we were aiming for this location that the ski hit cross waves back and forth and we were the only two to fall off and smack the water.
All in all a very special early 21st wedding anniversary experience and mini break!
Written by Wendy Perry, March 2015.