19:15.2S 146:49.3E
Gradually working our way northwards, the weather
is getting warmer by the day. We had some unexpectedly good wind which
meant we could sail most of the way up to Townsville using the
Parasailor.
Yesterday, before coming into the marina at
Townsville, we anchored at Magnetic Island for the morning and visited the
nature park there. It was more of a petting zoo than a nature
reserve, but with native Australian species. We got to pet Wallabies,
Mackaws, Wombats, snakes, lizards,
turtles and, of course, Koalas.
There was an extra charge for actually holding
a Koala. Apparently this is a legal requirement which is intended to
prevent too many people from holding the Koalas. The ranger also asked
that you didn't actually cuddle the Koala because that confuses them. You
are supposed to act like a tree to make them comfortable being in your
arms. As the ranger pointed out, Koalas don't usually get
cuddled by the tree they are sitting in.
