A beach and a birthday

A much needed lie-in was had this morning. K’gari was a great experience but late nights, lots of drinking and full days has a way of tiring a person out, who knew? When I am finally up I head to the shops with Matt, I need to stock up on some toiletries and other boring travel basics. I have been trying to avoid buying as much as I can whilst travelling but, considering I am coming to the end of my travels relatively soon, I reckon I can splash out and treat myself to a separate shampoo and conditioner. However, like most of us, I find, boring toiletry shopping exhausting so after the gruelling short walk to the shop and the painstaking trek around the shop itself, not to mention the walk back, I have to take a well earned nap, for four hours. Okay, maybe I was more tired than I realised. Once up though I am awake and ready for the groups next little adventure: we are heading to Carlo Sandblow making our way past Rainbow Beach.

Wanting to dig deeper into this story sadly the internet only revealed the story about Carlo Sandblow’s discovery by Thomas Cook, who gave it its name after a member of his ship’s crew. I don’t want to sound preachy, but I can’t help but feel this is an example of the white washing brought in by Australia’s colonial history and it certainly makes me feel guilty for being someone who has limited knowledge of the original native history. However, I do want to say that the lack of online presence of this story isn’t a true reflection of my (limited) experience in Australia thus far, as everywhere I have been honour is paid to original native owners of the land and their history and culture is proudly remembered. But, as I say, I don’t want to be too preachy and I have limited knowledge and experience here so all I can say for sure is that this area is beautiful and definitely worth a trip if one finds oneself in Rainbow Beach any time in the future.

The multi-coloured dunes of Rainbow Beach

Surprisingly nice meal

There is a fable from the Aboriginal religion Dreamtime associated with the Carlo Sandblow area and the coloured sands by Rainbow Beach which Molly tells us all about. Murrawar, a beautiful indigenous maiden, was enchanted by the Rainbow which visited her every day. Burwilla, a wicked sorcerer, kidnapped Murrawar to make her his slave wife. One day she managed to escape but, in pursuit, Burwilla hurled his magic boomerang at her. The Rainbow rushed across the sea to protect her and smashed into the boomerang. The boomerang was destroyed but the Rainbow shattered into thousands of pieces falling onto the beach, transforming into the multi-coloured dunes of Rainbow Beach.

Where Carlo Sandblow meets Rainbow Beach

The beach gets it name from the colourful cliff face that the beach resides along. The cliffs tell a story a million years old with layers of different coloured rocks that in the right setting shine bright as a rainbow – allowing a view into this area’s past. Unfortunately for us the day is a little overcast so the rocks don’t shine as bright today but, despite the weather, the layers are still visible and a beautiful reminder that much of the natural world was here before us and will be here long after us. The Sandblow itself is amazing. It is described by every website I can find as a ‘moonscape’ – a large break in the trees filled with sand that has beautiful views inland and out to sea.

Carlo Sandblow

The day ends with most of the group heading to a local bar for drinks and food. Unfortunately, half the group are asked to leave as they don’t have their ID’s on them and the staff are insistent that they are unable to even be in the bar without proof of being over 18. Those of us that stay don’t stay too long sharing a surprisingly nice meal and a few drinks. Later a few of us head to the bottle shop and take a few beers back to the hostel and see the night away in my favourite way, sharing a drink or two with a few friends.

The next day is a filler day so to speak, we aren’t catching our bus to Airle until later. However, today is a Ola’s birthday so it will not go uncelebrated. A few of us head to the Deck where we went for my bday brekkie and have a few drinks before joining everyone at a local cafe, a lovely cafe that is very kind in accommodating to our large group, technically after their brunch time cut off. It is a tasty brunch and an enjoyable celebration of Ola, one of the quieter members of our group but universally agreed to be a lovely guy. After brunch I head back to the deck with my iPad to write a blog or two and just chill until our bus is due. Once I do head back, shower and pack up, the group and I discover that the bus is delayed, so along with all the others in the hostel that are heading out, we find ourselves places to perch and kill the time playing games, chatting, reading and doing the things that people waiting for a bus do. I am a little jealous of one member of our group who seems to have got his hands on a little bit of the devil’s lettuce and is having a great time, totally relaxed and happy to just take some time to chill. Eventually our bus is here and once again I am ready for a night bus. I have to say that the night buses I took in Asia where actually more enjoyable than these greyhounds for an overnight journey. Sure, in Asia the experience is hectic the buses are old and everything is just a little dirtier, but at least they have specialised overnight buses with seats that recline and turn into beds. However, having had that mini rant, I have to admit, that after literally bragging about my ability to sleep anywhere only a post or two ago, I find that I am perfectly capable of sleeping well on the greyhounds and am excited to get to Airlie as I have heard great things about it and it’s from here that we will be heading to the Whitsundays, the most recommended and talked about part of this trip.