May 10, 2023
Day Ten of Queensland’s East Coast Roadtrip
Alva
What ruckus can Altan and Aisling cause today
Background
I met two Irish girls in the Gold Coast who invited me to tag along on their road trip up the East Coast of Queensland, Australia.
Despite only just meeting these girls, I spontaneously agreed and am having the time of my life.
I’ve created this article as part of a sixteen-day series, documenting my experience of exploring Queensland. For better context and understanding, I encourage you to read my previous articles.
Aisling
Ireland
Altan
ireland
Me
new zealand
May 11, 2023
Day Eleven of Queensland’s East Coast Roadtrip
Destination Unknown
Airlie Beach to Alva
On the road again
And just like that, we’re back in the car, on route to god knows where. We start driving north while Altan figures a destination on her map. We need to catch a ferry from Townsville to Magnetic Island tomorrow. So we’ll have to stay nearby.
Altan booked a PRIVATE cabin at a campground in a place called Alva. I only remember the name because it sounds like vulva, and I wondered why a village would be called such a name. Thankfully vulva is not the name!
We had a very wholesome night, picking out some bread, cheese, crackers and wine from the supermarket. We sat in the cabin with phone torches as candles and some jazz music in the background. Aisling and I died our eyebrows and we enjoyed an early night.
May 12, 2023
Day Twelve of Queensland’s East Coast Roadtrip
Townsville
Alva – Townsville
A daily routine
This is starting to feel like a daily routine! We wake up, take a shower, pack our things, squeeze everything into the car, and hit the road to our next destination.
I don’t know what today will bring; the girls booked a ferry to an island I’d never heard of. I’m just the passenger princess. I’m too young to drive the rental car, so Aisling and Altan, who are three years older, are in charge.
Townsville
It takes an hour and a half to get to Townsville from Alva. We have no intention of spending time in Townsville as we haven’t heard great reviews. On the other hand, they have a Sunday market that I’m keen to go to.
The market exceeded my expectations. We only made it halfway through before I got sidetracked by op-shops, picking up clothes I definitely didn’t need. The entire street was packed with stalls, selling everything from homemade alcohol and second-hand treasures to fresh fruit and veggies.
If you’ve ever driven in Australia, you’ll understand me when I say, the parking signs are ridiculously confusing! Compared to New Zealand anyway. Its like they’re written in code.
And then, when you think the parking is free, there’s ticket machines everywhere.
Getting on a Ferry
We arrived at the ferry terminal. Unfortunately, we have to leave our car behind, so here we are unpacking and repacking bags so we have clothes to take with us. This took about an hour of blood sweat and tears in the humid 30 degree heat. As we drive further north, the hotter it gets.
We ate the last of the food in our fridge bag, which was not appetising at all. Eating proper food while traveling is a challenge!! Not being able to store it at a controlable temperature or having the ingredients at your disposal. Plus the budget I guees. Its easier to go for an, unhealthy, on-the-go option.
Our lunch was bananas dipped in hummus and stale sandwiches. You don’t see this on social media.
We meet a bunch of girls from Aisling and Altans Fraser Island tour group who are just coming back from Magnetic Island. They’re hungover and exhausted but said they had the time of their lives! I’m even more excited.