29^th June 2010

19:15.13S 146:49.45S

Townsville, Queensland

We had to get into the marina close to High Water, as there it isn’t deep enough for us to get in at low water.  We watched a massive Cargo ship being tugged out as we arrived, to follow the narrow navigation channel into the shipping harbour.

The town itself has a lovely beach, with a beautifully designed paved walkway all along the beachfront,

including areas for restaurants and even a fishing jetty with shade!

This view almost makes one feel that we’re back in French Polynesia! 

Our berth at the Breakwater Marina is large, with room each side of us, so we’re not feeling squashed in amongst the big power boats due this week-end for a power boat race.

It also has a lot of well preserved Victorian buildings in the classical Queenslander style. 

Isn’t it great to see all this with palm trees and banyan trees along the avenues?

There are a few aboriginal people around the ‘City’ during the day, but sadly too many are on the booze, the perennial problem for Australia is  to try and give them benefits, and avoid them spending it on alcohol!