Whitsundays - Part 1

Sometimes we need some random impromptu decisions to land us somewhere we barely thought of visiting. 

HAPPY BELATED OZ-DAY!

So, I went on a 4D3N getaway to the Whitsundays over the Australia Day long weekend.

Exploring Australia is always EXPENSIVE; from getting there, to the accommodation, the entrance fees, activities, and food. On a tight budget, it would still add up to at least $700 for a 4D3N trip. It's only gonna get more expensive if it coincides with a long weekend. Due to all the flying and transits, 3D2N won't be sufficient for an interstate holiday. And 4D3N would mean 2 x Annual leaves (AL) + Sat Sun with cheaper flights, hotel, etc. OR 1 x AL + Public hols + Sat Sun with more expensive costs. Either way makes no difference - something has to be compromised.

I opted for the '1 x AL' as leaves are more scarce.

When Tiger Airways was having its sales last May 2014, I thought I might check out some flights and go somewhere I've never heard of or never planned on visiting in Australia.

I've come across people who last visited Melbourne 10 years ago, who have never been to the Gold Coast, or only visited NSW for business purposes, etc. This is how rarely people in Australia travel around Australia. I thought I should start visiting the beautiful places on this massive piece of desert, bit by bit before it backlogs and eventually never gets fulfilled.

Getting there
Direct Sydney - Whitsunday (Proserpine) route is only serviced by Tiger Airways (Tue, Thu, Sat). Approximately 190 aud return on Light Fare (no checked baggage). 10 kg (max 2 pieces of hand-carry baggage) is allowed on board the 2 hours flight.

Alternatively, you can also fly with other airlines to Proserpine or Hamilton Island Airport with stopover at Brisbane, Melbourne, or Adelaide - not quite time efficient nor economical.

Where exactly are the Whitsunday Islands? 
It's located at the central coast of Queensland, some 900 km to the North of Brisbane. I have absolutely no idea about Whitsunday until 7 months after buying the tickets, when I had to plan for the trip that I started checking out this place on the internet. Lol. As impromptu as it was.

There are the Whitehaven Beach, Great Barrier Reef (GBR) adventures, and sailing trips.

Seasickness
The thing that started freaking me out was the seasickness. On the internet, most people talked about having seasick during the trip and whatsoever. I thought well, it's too late to back out, come what may! I went to the chemist and got myself a pack of Kwells and those motion sickness wristbands. It says on the pack that Kwells may cause drowsiness but I didn't get that effect at all.

However, the sea was surprisingly calm - just a little choppy at times but that's more like bumpy than sway-ey so it was okay. No biggy. Maybe the wristbands worked really hard to keep me straight? I guess if you're doing the island hopping (Whitsunday Island, Long Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island), the islands are pretty much 'hidden' from big waves anyway. I can't be sure with the GBR though, as it's way out in the deep sea.

Weather
I honestly don't think January is the best season to visit Whitsundays. I just found out that the highest rainfall occurs in January, with temperature easily shoots above 30 degrees, humidity level above 70%, and thunderstorms almost everyday. Everyone knows Queensland is prone to flooding and you don't want that to happen because the roads will be closed and you can't access the airport. Don't expect to get lucky all the time so please do a thorough research on the crazy weather before booking.

Overall, it was extremely HOT - I felt like my Havaianas were reaching its melting point as it started burning my feet and causing blister, sunblock is mandatory and adding to the high humidity, my body was as sticky as glue. I couldn't cross my legs as skin-to-skin contact makes everything sweaty and wet. The rain and thunderstorms have been very very kind as they only visited during the evenings and cleared before sunrise. Too lucky!

Enough of talking...

Sydney

Nearing Whitsundays - blue sky, blue sea, blue air

Green undeveloped land as we descend

to be continued...