Start 2164km
We are expecting to hear from the dive
shop in
Townsville for confirmation of our Yongola day trip. We need to know early today to decide whether to explore Mackay and the Whitsundays or to push on to
Townsville. We both want to dive but at the same time I’d like to visit a sugar mill and see
Airlie Beach. We started driving and made our way leisurely to
Airlie Beach by 5pm. We haven’t heard from Sun City so we tried to book a dive for tomorrow out of
Airlie Beach. This was almost impossible. The streets are full of tour booking desks and food outlets. We opted for the backpackers booking group for some reason it looked they had everything to offer. Admittedly the girl serving us worked hard for her commission but every dive tour she sold us was full when she went to book it for us. It seemed we were not meant to dive. We agreed amongst ourselves not to bother but just then the girl came back saying she had found us a spot on board the "Maxi Azure" fast boat tender for Raggamuffin. And she booked our accommodation at Shute Harbour Gardens Caravan Park.