Tag Archives: Whitsunday Islands

Australia, Destinations, East Coast, Travelogues

Contiki – Whitsundays, sailing day 3, Daydream Island

The third day was much more relaxed sailing, there were only a few races and “attacks”. Around noon we arrived in front of Daydream Island, where we first had to wait for the Condor. 🙂 Hammer wins!

Daydream Island
Daydream Island

Before we landed, we all filled out a feedback form and promised to join the Facebook Group of the ship.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa

As we entered the island, we were the first shell necklaces around the neck. Hawaii vacation feeling!

The entire resort occupies almost the whole island. Various buildings, pools, attractions, restaurants and shops forming the island. Our room was okay, for Contiki, 2 Bunk beds were provided ​​instead of a king size bed. We had an ocean view room with shower bathroom.

I believe around 4:30 in the afternoon we did a tour of the facility, The island is home of many fishs, rays and sharks (and gorgeous female tour guides). I held for some time a mini-shark.

For tonight we had planned a pool party after dinner. First we had to do a mandatory group photo then went for dinner, which was really good, it costs just $ 20 AUD.

 

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Australia, Destinations, East Coast, Travelogues

Contiki – Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach, sailing day 2

Goodmorning Whitsundays, Australia!

7:30am, time to get up. We went straight to breakfast because we wanted to save us the time to shower for tonight. We had only 60 seconds per day for a shower. For 3 days that’s just 3 minutes.

Breakfast
Breakfast

For breakfast they offered cereals, fresh fruits and white bread. Of course, I tried again Vegemite. Many Europeans would probably spit it out immediately because they do not like the extreme taste. I think it’s okay.

We sailed again until 9:00 in the morning, then we took a boat to Whitsunday Island.

Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is a 7km long beach and is considered the whitest beach in the world. It is located in the middle of the Whitsundays Whitsunday Island. 😉

Before we could relax on the whitest beach in the world. However,

Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach

first we had to walk across the island and through the forest. After the forest we were standing at an observation platform, where we did again a group photo of us, the Contiki group of the hammer. At Whitehaven Beach it’s not allowed to wear shoes , so we put our sandals under a shady tree.

 

At 12:30 we went back to the boats, where we

Whitsunday Islands - Shuttle to sandbank
Whitsunday Islands - Shuttle to sandbank

enjoyed pastries and salad for lunch. As always, delicious.

After several hours of sailing, including many “attacks”, we set in front of a sand bank and took the raft over. There we had cold drinks and nachos for dinner. Some tour mates collected shells and took pictures.

Whitsunday Islands - Sandbank
Whitsunday Islands - Sandbank

While some people went at nightfall over to the Condor to rise the alcohol level , stayed a few (including me) on the Hammer and looked at the starry sky. The story that during the night a tour mate went astray on the wrong boat, stays on the Hammer 😉

I slept for some time on deck, but then I moved to my bunk, because it started to rain. Good night! 🙂

 

 

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Australia, Destinations, East Coast, Travelogues

Contiki – Whitsundays, sailing day 1

 

After a very extensive breakfast we started our today’s ride. First we went to Rockhampton, where you could see a few remains of the flood. In Caneland Shopping Centre, Mackay QLD, we took our first break. Time for Subway, Smoothie and to buy drinks. On a sailboat, you can’t buy that stuff;-)

45 minutes later . On to Airlie Beach. Here we were waiting for our sailing boats. Normally, only a sail boat is chartered, but this time there had been a lot of interest, therefore a small and a large were chartered. Condor and Hammer also organize periodically race between the Whitsundays and at the sea. I, and many of my favorite tour mates were on the “Hammer”.

Sailing between the Whitsunday Islands – day 1

Whitsunday Islands - Sailing
Whitsunday Islands - Sailing

After we had stored our bags and we got explained the basics of sailing, it was going on already. First we used the engine to reach a point where sufficient wind was available.
But then we started already , including tackling, extending the sails, turning the sails

Whitsunday Islands - Sailing
Whitsunday Islands - Sailing

to the other side (“Attack”). We did that for about 2 hours every 10 minutes, until we came to a quiet little cove and laid anchor. Time for a snack. Before we went to the dinner, we ate this really delicious vegetables and crackers with a spicy sauce.

Whitsunday Islands - Dinner
Whitsunday Islands - Dinner

The twilight set in, and we ate freshly grilled meat. The captain grilled it on the bow of the boat.
We enjoyed the clear skies of the night, with many stars and some cool drinks. Then we went to bed, or rather bunk, because more sailing at sunrise!

 

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