Allison Wallace 8/22/21 Allison Wallace 8/22/21

The ultimate Magnetic Island escape

When planning a Queensland road trip with my dog, I was so excited to discover we could take the pup on the ferry across to Magnetic Island! What could be better for our water-loving family?

Affectionately known as Maggie, the island is a great place to just kick back and relax but there is also plenty to see and do!

Just eight kilometres off the mainland, this island is smack-bang in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef and boasts palm-fringed beaches, hiking trails and friendly rock wallabies. Holiday vibes sorted!

Getting there:

There are two ferries that will take you out to Maggie. A passenger-only ferry that takes just 20 minutes, and a vehicle ferry that takes about twice the time. We went with our car on the latter from Townsville with our dog able to get some fresh air on board – he loved his first experience on a boat bigger than a tinny!

If you don’t want to take your own car or have flown in from out of town, there are plenty of rentals available on the island and I would recommend having way as it is the best way to get around – though in peak seasons there is an excellent bus service.

The short ferry ride makes it possible to just visit for the day if you are short on time. Just make sure you book the early ferry in advance to make the most of it.

Where to stay:

Maggie has a wide range of accommodation options to choose from. There is everything from dog-friendly Airbnb’s like the one we stayed in to 5-star resorts.

The first choice is actually to decide where on the island you want to be. The main towns are Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay, Nelly Bay, Picnic Bay and Florence Bay and honestly, it really isn’t that far to drive between them but sometimes it is nice to just walk around!

Nelly Bay is where the ferry lands most of the large accommodation can be found here and Horseshoe Bay has plenty of restaurants and cafes and great sunset views.

We stayed in Picnic Bay on the southern end of the island, looking back towards the mainland. Our Airbnb was walking distance to a long jetty perfect for fishing, a beach where we could swim and a couple of restaurants. We had some incredible authentic Italian at Mamma Roma and I would definitely recommend you try it!

Things to do:

Walking is a big thing on Maggie and we made the most of it! There were a few walks we didn’t experience on the island as we don’t like to leave the dog at home too much so that meant the National Parks were off the agenda.

There is a walking track that goes from Picnic Bay all the way to Geoffrey Bay along the coast. It doesn’t offer much shade so best to do early morning or late afternoon but you get some incredible views and you can always jump in the water at points along the way if you get hot!

On the northern end of Geoffrey Bay, there are some large boulders and if you look a bit closer, you will see a whole family of small rock wallabies living there! We didn’t get too close as who knows if they have ever seen a border collie before so we played it safe. They were adorable though and apparently a lot more active around sunset when you can head along with a bag of feed to give them a treat.

We stopped for lunch on the walk back at a fabulous fish and chip shop in Nelly Bay – SOS which translates as “Stuffed on Seafood”. It was a tough decision but landed on a crab sandwich which was stuffed full of crab and tasty sauce.

We came back to Geoffrey Bay later in the trip with the car to try some snorkelling. Make sure you time it with high tide to get the best clarity here. There is a self-guided snorkel trail marked out here that points out remnants of shipwreck and some giant clams. You will see the white floats that outline the trail and stop you from swimming too far out.

You can take a tour that visits places only accessible by water for those super private beach experiences too!

When you are tired from all the active activities, it’s time for some refreshment and my favourite spot on the island for a beer is at the Base Backpackers. The reasons for this are simple – The Island Bar has a massive outdoor area (dog-friendly) and the best ocean views to soak up while drinking. We also came back here for burgers one night at dinner – they were epic!

Aiden was pretty happy to spend late afternoons casting a line off the jetty in Picnic Bay while we watched the sun go down. We left empty handed of course it was a very peaceful way to finish the day.

My favourite day was when we headed to Radical Bay. After scouring the maps and seeing this beach was not National Park and was 4WD access only, we packed the car for a day of adventure and sun and were not disappointed.

If you don’t have a 4WD, definitely do not attempt to drive to Radical Bay – the track is seriously challenging, and we had a high-clearance vehicle! You can get there by boat and we did see a few intrepid hikers coming across from Horseshoe Bay later in the day but when we arrived, we had the place to ourselves.

As we pulled up, we were greeted with paradise. Golden sand and clear turquoise tropical water surrounded by large boulder-strewn headlands, the perfect remote location. Falcor was pretty happy and ran straight into the ocean for a swim.

We spent the day swimming, exploring and relaxing. It felt like our own private paradise.

Radical Bay is a Marine National Park Green Zone so no fishing on this day but we did head out with a snorkel, but the water was a bit silty and visibility wasn’t great.

Dinner after a day in the sun was at Thai Again near Nelly Bay. This is the only Thai restaurant on the island and tucked out of the way in a beautiful old building decorated in plenty of fairy lights, first impressions were good. The food delivered and I had one of the best (and most spicy!) Laksa’s I have had in a long time.

Magnetic Island isn’t a bustling metropolis which makes it the perfect spot to sit back, take stock and relax in nature. It was a fabulous dog-friendly escape.

Allison Wallace 7/12/21 Allison Wallace 7/12/21

Biking & hiking on South Molle Island

Pedaling across one of the islands in the Whitsundays? Sure, why not!

South Molle Island is home to the only island mountain biking trail in the stunning Whitsundays and we got to explore all of it with Bike & Hike Whitsundays.

A fully guided half-day trip with Dylan is an experience like no other. Luckily for us less-experienced mountain bikers, Hike & Bike provide the latest model dual suspension Trek Electric Mountain Bikes which makes those island hills a breeze. Turbo mode was definitely engaged!

The day started early meeting before sunrise on the mainland near Shute Harbour with a quick ride down to the water to familiarise ourselves with the bikes.

That did mean we got to enjoy sunrise from the boat as we motored towards South Molle Island. The island is uninhabited since the cyclone damaged the resort years ago but there are still camp sites on different parts of the island.

The hardest ride of the day was the very first steep section from the beach at Sandy Bay – never fear though, it gets easier and I became much so comfortable on the bike that I actually enjoyed riding uphill!

You will be rewarded for your pedaling efforts with spectacular views at the top. The trails crisscrossing the island led to lookouts at Spion Kop, Lamond Hill and Balancing Rock. We even pedaled up to Mt Jeffreys; the highest point on the island—it stands at 200 metres above sea level, but the climb is relatively gradual and well worth it for the views.

The whole ride was relatively easy from a heart-rate perspective, and you get to go at your own pace with no rushing. Aiden knows the perils of rushing downhill around corners - just ask the tree he met body-first…

Book a tour here

Dylan is super knowledgeable about the trails, nature and history of the area which you can learn about it during regular stops. He will also recommend and take silly photos of you and your mates for memories of the day’s adventures.

While the ebike helps you out, you definitely still have to exert yourself so be prepared! There are also a few short hikes to visit the areas the bikes aren’t allowed or can’t go. It is a welcome respite for the butt.

Everything you need for the half-day is catered for. From helmets, gloves and walkie-talkies to snacks and plenty of water, you will want for nothing.

Waiting for the boat back to the mainland.

Our ride finished at the brand-new jetty out of the front of the old resort site and the while the water looked spectacular, the high winds on our visit prevented me from jumping in for a dip. The is no guarantee where your visit will end up as pickup and drop off points depend on the tides.

This trip is so worth it for the epic scenery and the confidence on an e-bike is a bonus. I think if I had an e-bike at home, I would ride my bike a whole lot more.

What a unique way to experience the islands of the Whitsundays!

While you are here, why not indulge in a luxury snorkelling experience - by helicopter no less - at Langford Reef!

Allison Wallace 6/24/21 Allison Wallace 6/24/21

Fossicking in the Gemfields

One thing I learned on this adventure is that digging for precious gems is HARD!

We recently embarked in a Queensland road trip that took us near the Gemfields to Rubyvale, so of course we had to try our luck at getting one of those gorgeous local sapphires.

The Gemfields is made up of three townships – Sapphire, Rubyvale and Anakie. Throughout these towns you will find a range of Gem Shops, Fossicking Parks and Tag-along Tours.

Rubyvale is about a half hour drive from Emerald where we were staying so of course we spent a day digging around in rocks.

Book a stay in Emerald here.

We had all the gear, and I will be honest, probably no idea!

You have the option of joining a tag-along tour where a local will show you what to look for and take you to popular locations. Armed with the skills that a handful of YouTube videos had given us, we decided to head out on our own.

The first stop after getting our fossicking permits online (about $8 each for a month) was of course to fuel up in Rubyvale. We headed to Muggachinno’s Strudel Hut where you can’t help but dive into a delicious homemade strudel that comes with a side of port. For breakfast of course.

As we were travelling with our pup – who of course came fossicking with is – we were happy to find the shaded garden of Muggachinno’s is dog friendly.

Next, it was off to the designated fossicking areas to try our luck in the dry river beds.

It’s hot, dusty work fossicking for sapphires, as I dug deeper to the heavier stones and revealed the cooler ground, our pup Falcor, decided that would be the perfect spot to sit.

We did set up some shade for him and after a little time ‘helping’ us dig, he retreated there to have a nap.

When you think of a precious gem, it is all bright and sparkly so shouldn’t be too hard to spot right? Wrong. To the untrained eye, sapphires in the rough can very easily pass for a bunch of gravel.

Within about half an hour, Aiden discovered a tiny shard of blue sapphire, this was about as exciting as it got for us unfortunately.

We tried three different locations around Rubyvale including Middle Ridge and Graves Hill on the first day and then stopping by Glenalva on our drive west to Longreach.

All that digging definitely worked up an appetite and thankfully, we stopped at The New Royal Hotel Rubyvale for lunch to break up the day.

The pub has a dog-friendly outdoor area where we enjoyed a couple of beers and a giant schnitzel!

In hindsight, we may have had better luck at one of the local fossicking parks. Here you can buy a bag of wash to sift through to find the gems. It is less digging but it does feel a bit less like you earned any gems compared to the hours we spent sitting in the dirt but the chances of walking away with a gem is much higher…

Allison Wallace 5/4/21 Allison Wallace 5/4/21

A solo summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland

Hiking to the top of the highest mountain in Britain in one day? Sure, why not! Do it alone, even more of a challenge!

Spending a week solo in Scotland, I wanted to get some hiking of that epic scenery under my belt. As I travelled around and mentioned to locals that I was planning on heading up Ben Nevis – alone – they seemed determined to persuade me it was a bad idea. Nevertheless, I was determined.

The main concern is that for most of the year, the peak isn’t even visible from the ground and the people have literally just walked off the edge because the visibility was so bad.

I lucked out though. For my entire week in Scotland, the sun was shining, and skies were clear – perfect September conditions.

By world standards, Ben Nevis isn’t that imposing. Standing at just 1,345 metres (4,409 ft), the mountain would be dwarfed by many but that doesn’t make it any less work.

One of those reasons is that you start the hike pretty much at sea level and you have to go up and down in one day. Even with perfect conditions, the blustery wind at the top means you don’t want to stick around too long.

Guides estimate that it takes between 7 and 9 hours to complete the 18km round trip. My advice, hit somewhere in the middle, the down portion at the top is nowhere as easy as I imagined it would be.

I was staying nearby in Ballachulish but still got up before brekkie was served and headed for the starting off point near Fort William.

Find your perfect Scottish stay here.

There were a few people around the start of the hike which was great so I didn’t feel all alone. The walk itself start off relatively easily along a pony trail among lush green farmland. The air was misty but as the path ascended, the mist cleared and there were plenty of reasons to stop, take in the views and take photos.

About 90 minutes into the hike, the trail passed Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (also known as the ‘Halfway Lochan’). The water here is so pure that a one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland – Ben Nevis - source water for their Scotch from two lochans situated 3,000 feet up the north face of the mountain.

Several hours into the hike, the path becomes increasingly stony and you definitely have to watch your footing. Near here you also cross a small waterfall which I imagine after snow or melting snow is not so small at all!

As I climbed it became ever colder, luckily I was well prepared with several layers. The path for the last hour isn't really a path… it's more like a convenient rockslide!

The last stretch to the summit really is the hardest and I can see why in bad weather this is not a great hike. I had perfect conditions and could only just see the trail as a slightly different colour of the rock.

The views during the trek were sensational and between these and the walking you couldn't help but be left breathless.

When you do reach the top. it seems as if half of Scotland is spread before on a clear day – from the mountains of Skye in the northwest to the Cairngorms in the east.

The top of the mountain is relatively flat with cairns (piles of rocks) marking the way across and away from the very steep cliffs below. Peering over some of the edges, there were even remnants of snowbanks at the end of September! You really would need to be mindful of weather changes up here.

I stopped at the top for about 20 minutes for a snack and some photos. It was way too cold to sit still for too long.

The first part of the descent was actually harder than going up in my opinion. The rocky scree and decline meant that I felt like I was squatting for about an hour!

The change from rock to path was a welcome one and I think I trotted the last hour back to my car.

I highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots for this day hike and the right layers for the conditions as it can quickly change. I am so glad I managed this hike, even if I couldn’t walk properly for a day afterwards!

Before heading back to my hotel for a hot bath I stopped in for a beer in Fort William and something warm to eat. It is a small but very welcoming Scottish town and I wish I could have stayed a bit longer.

Allison Wallace 4/20/21 Allison Wallace 4/20/21

Koala Park: A surprise oasis in Nambour

I am constantly on the hunt for new walks in the bush that I can take with my pup so I was excited to discover Koala Park in Nambour.

Just a stone’s throw from the bustling main street of Nambour, a sixteen-hectare eucalypt bushland known as Koala Park.

There are a couple of tracks that loop around – the main recreation path that is about 1km long and a second loop that branches off down to the lower street level and follows a steep stairway as you journey back to the recreation loop. I think I tracked our total distance at 1.5km doing the extra stairs.

Dogs are allowed here but they do have to be on a leash. Falcor loved having so many new smells to inspect.

There is plenty of bird life in the park and their chirping is pretty much all you can hear as you explore the area – as well as the panting and sniffing of the dog…

I have visited twice and barely seen another human. Unfortunately, I have also not spied any shy koalas hiding in the gum trees. That won’t stop me looking on every visit.

The walk requires you to loop back up to the entrance, which includes plenty of steep stairs guaranteed to make you sweat!

This is a great place for a short walk that also gets the heart rate up. The added bonus

Afterwards if you are so inclined, there is a picnic table and bbq and children’s play area by the entrance to relax in or you could head into Nambour and check out the local cafes.

It is so nice not to have to travel far to think you are in the middle of the bush.

Allison Wallace 3/10/21 Allison Wallace 3/10/21

Paddling the Noosa Everglades

Picture this: still water that looks like a mirror and the only sounds are the birdlife and your paddle breaking the surface as you glide along.

You don’t have to imagine it because this is the very real experience of kayaking through the Noosa Everglades.

It is amazing to think that there are only two Everglade systems in the whole world and one of them is right in our backyard here on the Sunshine Coast. It may not sound that exciting but over 40 per cent of Australia’s bird species can be found in the Noosa Everglades! Unlike the Florida Everglades, there are no alligators cruising the waters here.

The unique ecosystem offers up a tranquil experience of being disconnected from anything but nature as you paddle along the river.

Our experience started out by meeting Rob from Lake Escapades near Boreen Point for a safety briefing and gathering of maps before we headed off to put our hired kayaks in the water for the day.

The paddle starts crossing Lake Cootharaba to Kinaba Information Centre. We had perfect conditions with almost no wind for our adventure and just stopped at the centre for a quick snack and to use the bathroom after just over an hour of paddling. There are raised boardwalks here to stretch the legs on a short walk – just pack the bug spray!

Kinaba is the entrance to the more narrow waterways of the Noosa Everglades, and after a slight miscalculation on direction we soon found ourselves in a serene, silent environment. This minor detour made us feel safe as Rob kits out the kayaks with a GPS tracker and texted us to let us know that we had veered just a little off course.

The kayaks are actually sea kayaks, so you are able to steer using foot pedals and a rudder at the back of the kayak. They also have ample storage in dry areas for our picnic supplies and cameras for a day trip.

The further you head upstream, the more narrow the river becomes and the more intense the reflections in the water from the overhanging trees. It is a magical experience.

We made our way to our halfway point at Harrys Hut – about 10km. You can access this point by 4WD and I would love to come back and put some kayaks in here to go further into the river. There is a campground and lots of people around. If you wanted to, you could organise camping here or even further in and stay for a night or two. It would be amazing to wake up to the birdsong and first light on the river.

After a dip in the tannin-infused river that looks like flat coca cola – and many flips off the jetty into the water – we sat down to enjoy our lunch.

The sun was beating down pretty hard on our kayak day, so we stopped for another swim on the way back at Fig Tree Point. There is a little beach here that is perfect to paddle from.

All too soon it was time to paddle back to Boreen Point. The reflections seemed even more intense on the trip back until we reached the river mouth at Lake Cootharaba. The wind has picked up and it was a much slower trip across the lake with chop pushing against us. No being a regular kayaker, my arms were definitely feeling the effort.

This was an adventure that needs repeating and I can’t wait to go back in a different season to see if anything has changed.

Allison Wallace 1/12/21 Allison Wallace 1/12/21

Awesome things to do in Agnes Water & 1770

It has stunning beaches, nearby islands and reefs like Far North Queensland, but it has surf – the last place on the Queensland coast to have it. This is of course Agnes Water and the town of 1770!

This is a small spot on the map where time seems to stand still. It reminded me of beach holidays I had with my family as a kid – a blur of salt, sand and fun.

We spent a week exploring and relaxing and these are our favourite things to do!

Swim at Agnes Beach

The main beach in Agnes Water stretches around 5km and is the perfect spot to swim, surf and explore any time of day. We loved that we could take our pup off leash on the northern end, find a private patch of sand and just relax.

There are plenty of dog friendly beaches in Agnes!

Paperbark Forest Boardwalk

Probably one of the most picturesque – and photographed – spots in the area is the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk.

It’s only a 400m walk through the trees but it feels magical and the stepping stones keeping you from the forest floor is fun for kids and the young at heart!

Visit an Island on the reef

There is usually a tour boat that runs out to Lady Musgrave Island but it wasn’t operating on our visit (next time!) and the fishing charters that also visit were fully booked but there is an alternative.

You can take a stunning scenic flight and spend the day exploring the paradise that is Lady Elliot Island. We were there during turtle mating season and it was absolutely incredible. The day flew by and the flight over the waterways of 1770 on way home just added to the magic.

Watch the sunset at 1770

The Town of 1770 is one of only four places on the east coast where you can see the sun set over the water.

You can find a spot on the beach – but you won’t be alone! We got down there early for a swim and enjoyed the cooler air as the sun dipped over the mountains to the west. It really is a beautiful place to have a cold drink and watch the day end.

Visit Cook’s Monument

You can drive almost all the way to the headland and see the monument that marks the spot where Captain Cook’s crew came ashore in 1770 but you can also enjoy a scenic walk from the 1770 foreshore around the headland.

Taking in several incredible elevated views of Round Hill Creek, the walking track offers multiple opportunities to branch off the track and head down to the water for a secluded fish or swim.

This is also known as the 1770 Butterfly Walk. We didn’t experience it but from March to June, it comes alive with thousands of Blue Tiger Butterflies.

You can continue 350m to reach Bustard Bay Lookout and from here you can enjoy sweeping views to the north and south of 1770.

Explore Eurimbula National Park

Having a 4WD meant that we could tow the boat and have a day in Eurimbula National Park.

Along with sandy tracks, dunes, mangroves and eucalyptus forest and the waterways we spent the day fishing, there was also a nice short hike to Ganoonga Noonga Lookout that was well worth a stop.

It is a short 700m climb but you will be rewards with panoramic views over the eastern lowlands and mountain ranges to the west. As an added bonus, we didn’t see another person in the hour we spent here!

You can camp in the National Park at one of two campgrounds but for me, the midgies would have been too much…

Cruise the waterways

The twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770 are the perfect place to base yourself if you love discovering kilometres of empty beaches, wonderful waterways and stunning national parks.

We put out little boat in the water at 1770 Marina and went exploring through the calm waterways of the inlet.

Even without a boat, you can hire a kayak or a paddle board and experience it all for yourself.

Trek along Red Rock Walking Trail

South of Springs Beach near the headland is the beginning of the 'Red Rock Trail'. This trail is about 2.5 km long and goes past coves and headlands. Keep your eyes out for turtles and dolphins as you take in the scenery.

Eat fish & chips

Surrounded on all sides by plenty of water, it comes as no surprise that fish & chips was a meal we had more than once on our holiday.

There are three fish & chip shops in Agnes Water & 1770 and we tried two of them.

The Rusty Pelican not only has massive, tasty servings but it also has the best location. Situated right on the water, enjoy your meal any time of day – you might even be lucky to get a good spot for one of those epic 1770 sunsets.

Off The Hook Fish & Chips is right in the middle of town and is probably the most value for money takeaway I have ever had. I couldn’t even finish half my fish.

Have a tipple at 1770 Distillery

Just down the road from our accommodation is the boutique 1770 Distillery. After years honing skills in the distilleries of Tasmania, John now turns locally grown fruits into delicious liquers that you can taste and buy.

Devour flavours like Sunset, full of grapefruit, bush lime, and ginger - the perfect accompaniment for quietly watching the sun go down.

We stayed in a great location with our pup that we booked through Gibson’s Pet Friendly Accommodation but there are so many choices in Agnes and 1770 that you will find the spot perfect for you.

Look for things to do here

Allison Wallace 8/22/20 Allison Wallace 8/22/20

Sleeping in the Sahara

The drive from Fez was hot with a few stops along the way. The first stop was Imlil – sitting at 1800m above sea level, this town is known locally as ‘Moroccan Chammonix’ A strange sight to see and a little touristy for my like.

The next stop was much more fun as we spent some time with Barbary macaque (monkeys) in a forest. Many happy snaps were taken.

The last 15km into Merzouga along dry gravel roads in the middle of July was probably the hottest I have felt!

After a long day driving from Fez, we arrived at Auberge Les Dunes D´Or in Merzouga.

The hotel sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert, overlooking sand dune but with a very welcome pool to cool off in.

After a restful night, it was time to get out and experience what we came here for – time in the vast Sahara.

The morning was spent exploring the desert in a couple of land cruisers. We ran up sand dunes, experienced some incredible and unexpected landscapes and had tea in a Berber tent with some locals which was an amazing experience.

In the afternoon it was time to saddle up on our camels to spend a night sleeping in the Sahara. We were each assigned a camel, I named mine Prince Ali but his actual name was Amshalah. We set out so late in the day because it was the middle of summer. In the cooler months, they leave into the desert a bit earlier.

We rode over sand dunes for just over an hour into the desert as the sun was sinking over dunes in the distance. Such an other-worldly experience that I am so grateful for. I am also grateful the ride wasn’t much longer – camels are really not the most comfortable way to travel!

Riding a camel is kind of like lolling around on a large barrel with legs, constantly feeling like your saddle might be slipping off…

As we rode along expertly led by our guide (with our other guide for the whole trip Momo, following behind on foot), we had time to admire the beauty of the Sahara. The light grains of sand gracefully danced in the breeze. Soon we reached the highest peak to see our overnight camp below.

The spacious tents were positioned to face each other, with colourful seating in the middle, arranged in a circle to gather around a fire.

After dismounting the camels and letting them rest for the night, the more energetic amongst us decided to run up the nearest sand dune to try and catch the last of the sunset. I chose this moment to sit in camp and soak it all in.

This is probably the one regret I have on this trip. Who knows when I will ever have the chance to run up a sand dune in the Sahara again?

Dinner at camp was an amazing tagine under the stars and the brightest moon I have ever seen. This was followed by a drum circle and singing before we all decided to pull our mattresses out of the tents and sleep under the stars. The summer heat had not abated at all so sleeping outside seemed the better option anyway!

This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I had trouble falling asleep as I didn’t want to miss a moment. I was mesmerised by the many, many stars which shone so brightly.

Rising early the next morning, we rode back to Merzouga and washed all that Sahara sand off with one last dip in the pool and set out on our next Moroccan adventure.