Last night after getting ready for bed I double checked the alarm clock only to find it not running. I scrounged another battery then guesstimated the time, being conservative so I wouldn't over sleep. So this morning when the alarm went off after I got up I realized I had 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes before I was to be picked up. I waited in my car in front of the hostel - I didn't like what I saw. Yesterday's clear skies had turned to overcast - I could hardly see any stars in the predawn sky. Even worse, the wind was howling. The drive showed up and confirmed my fears the trip had been cancelled. I had the option of going out to the great barrier reef, but the manager said that I'd probably be disappointed after Holmes Reef so I decided not to. I rode down to the dive shop to get my deposit refunded then went back to bed.
When I got up I had a choice - either hang out and spend the night in Townsville like I'd planned or head out. Since I was looking at a couple hard days driving I decided to get some out of the way and head south. I spent the morning wandering around Townsville - mostly the Sunday market. Also bought a couple books, checked my email, and took a look at the guide book. My first plan was going to be go to Arlie Beach and hang out in the sun in the Whitsundays. But then looking at the guide book I saw that a couple hundred kilometers further and I could go to Eungella National Park - where I could most likely see platypuses! Since I want to see a platypus, and I'm a little sunburned, and that would be more miles done I headed for the park.
Pretty long day of driving. Got to the park just after dark. I found the campground (conveniently at the best platypus viewing spot) and was shocked to find it full. It's Sunday night miles out in to the middle of nowhere, it never occurred to me that there wouldn't be space. I back tracked a few miles into the township of Eungella and found a great lodge. It's called the Eungella Chalet and it's great - big fires, wooden floors, rustic antiques in the rooms, and cheap - everything an Aussie pub should be.
