March 2016 - killer whales and koalas

Hi,
The purpose of this blog is to keep our friends, family and work colleagues up to date with our travels. PS Photos down the bottom of this blog.
Tick for the bucket list - Killer Whale expedition off Bremer Bay.
Once a year between January and April, this remote spot off the WA coast becomes the centre for an unbelievable intensity of wildlife. On our tour to the Bremer Canyon (70kms off the WA coast, about 2 hours out to sea) we saw large groups of pilot whales, masses of sea birds, seals, a large sunfish and yes killer whales. It was a unique and exhilarating experience in the wild.
Bremer Bay is approximately 6 hours drive from Dunsborough. As I don't have great sea legs I was dosed up on travel sickness medication (patches behind both ears) and had other goodies in my backpack as a precaution (ginger lollies, ginger biscuites, ginger ale softdrink, extra seasickness tablets etc) in readiness for a full day in the great southern ocean, which is pretty wild but wonderful.
Townsville & Magnetic Island
Next up was 2 weeks in Townsville and Magnetic Island spending time with family and friends. 'The Strand' is one of my favourite places to visit in Townsville for a daily walk or run, as you have views of the ocean and island - however a dip in the ocean (in the stinger net enclosure) is a surprise when you find the water is as warm as a bath (as compared to the cold water in the west).
Magnetic island, 8kms from Tville in tropical NQ is a very beautiful and special place - which we got to experience over the Easter break as we hired a house at Arcadia. More than half the island is national park, it has rugged natural beauty and is a haven for wildlife such as koalas. The Nelly Bay to Arcadia walk (through a cool patch of rainforest, then alongside a creek up a steady climb to the saddle of the ridge - being careful not to trip on tree roots or rocks as you continuously look up in the trees for koalas) was well worth the effort, due to the views of beautiful bays and beaches and the swim in the waterfall at the end of the walk. However there were lots social events in which to attend, and due to the hot and humid weather, possibly so too much beer and champayne was drunk.
WA/NT road trip
Back home now making preparations for our next trip starting on/before 1 May - being the WA/NT top end trip for approximately 4 months. Some of the spots we will visit include - Coral Bay, Ningaloo Station, Exmouth, Karijini National Park, Broom, Gibb River Road, Mitchell Falls, El Questro Station, Kununurra, Darwin - and everything in between where our 4wd and camper trailer will take us.
Bye for now.