Day 74 Tuesday 29th August

Today the ten of us, split between two vehicles headed out for a day’s drive. We drove south to a gorgeous spot called Hydeaway Bay. The clear, blue, tropical water, sandy beach with rocky outcrops was quite stunning. Unfortunately a bush-fire had spread through the undergrowth of a large area of the tropical forest and was still burning in places creating a smoky haze. We drove on to Dingo beach, another lovely spot and stopped at the pub for lunch. We ate outside on a well shaded table that over-looked the beach. After lunch we drove onto Shute Harbour and Airlie beach. These areas were both beautiful and busy places with the marinas and bays full of yachts and boats that sail and motor around the islands of the Whitsundays. In many places we saw the evidence of the damage that cyclone Debbie had done in late March.  Many buildings are still being repaired and trees in the rainforests were just starting to regrow new leaves on their topmost branches. We also saw many large trees that had been blown over completely, exposing their roots. Back at Glen Erin for happy hour around the fire, our damper tonight was fruit and 5 spice!