August 5: Whitsunday Welcome
When I pulled up in front of the reception at my hotel in the Airlie Beach area of the Whitsunday Region, I knew immediately that the manager was a fellow biker. Rather than waiting for me to turn off the bike, put down the kickstand, take off my gloves, and bring my personal items into the office, he ran out to greet me and suggested I park my bike and get settled before checking in.
It's hard not to feel welcome when traveling through such a scenic and friendly part of the country. Passing a cheerful “Welcome to the Whitsundays” sign in Gumlu about 45 minutes after leaving Alva Beach, I road past rich farmland country, deep green meadows filled with grazing cattle, thriving sugar cane fields, and roadside farm stands filled with fresh eggs and local produce.
Reaching Bowen, I pulled the bike off to the side of the road and gasped at the breathtaking palate of colors to my left. Tall, grey trunked eucalyptus trees topped with olive colored greenery created beautiful silhouettes against the clear light blue skies above, dark blue rolling foothills in the horizon, turquoise-colored waters of McCanes Bay just beyond, and the light brown and honey colored sandy beach covered with rippling clear water in the foreground.
Turning off the main road to Airlie Beach and cresting the hill into town, I was treated to a spectacular view of Pioneer Bay, its smooth waters an almost impossibly vibrant color of aqua blue highlighted by the peninsulas of the Whitsunday Coast in the distance and white bobbing boats of all shapes and sizes sprinkled throughout.
Walking up and down the picturesque streets of this resort town, a cheerful beach vibe accented the décor of many businesses with dining tables made from surfboards, seats created out of rustic wood hanging from ropes attached to the ceiling, and comfortable cushions on the ground to sit in while sipping coffee.
I booked my lodging at Whitsunday On The Beach because I could park my bike in front of my room in a gated courtyard and walk to my early morning tour at the marina nearby. A huge side bonus is the friendly staff and the view from my room of palm tree leaves gently swaying in the wind and boats bobbing on the bright blue bay beyond. What an amazing visit!
