One Day On an Island

It seems that no matter where you are in the world, life on an island is a thing apart. Physically separated from the rest of the world, islands attract people looking to get away, to relax, to find serenity, to live their own unique brand of existence.

Magnetic Island is no different. Just a short ferry ride away from Townsville, we were lucky enough to get a glimpse of this tropical oasis in just a quick 24 hours.

"Hope you're ready to relax!" yelled our host Chris as we stepped off the ferry. And after four packed weeks of travel, we sure were.

After loading up our ever-expanding luggage pile into the back of Chris's white pickup truck, we squeezed in and made the five minute commute from the ferry terminal to his house.  A lush garden partly obscures the walkway to Chris's tropical-style house, as if to say - all who walk through these doors will be relaxed. Oh, and he has a no shoes allowed inside the house policy, too. Inside we met Kaye, Chris's wife of ten years and partner of 21. Quick to laugh and quick to poke fun, the couple treated us to a lovely night of shared stories, a delicious meal, and a healthy supply of wine and beer. Not to mention barrel-aged brandy and Tim Tams - an Aussie chocolatey treat reminiscent of Kit Kats.. Did you know that the thing to do in Australia is use Tim Tams as a straw to drink your coffee with? Well, it is. And we tried it, of course, much to the amusement of our Aussie hosts.

The next morning - after waking up without an alarm clock for the first time in weeks - we scrambled back into Chris's truck and got our own personalized tour of the island. We learn that Maggie (as the locals call it) is the type of place where you can pull over to the side of the road and see Koalas hanging from trees. Where Wallaby Way is a street you can live on. And where sometimes you find old pianos slowly deteriorating on the beach. That's just the kind of place this is.

Mid-morning we had a swim at Radical Beach, a lovely bay with clear, crisp water and green slopes of rocky forest. With only a handful of other swimmers, you almost got the feeling that this was our own little beach, our own little place of the island. Accessed via a slowly crumbling, windy, and potholed road, the simple adventure of getting there (so should we get out and push?) added to the feeling of isolation.

It's almost a bit surprising that Magnetic Island can feel so secluded at times - because there are a lot of tourists. Quite a lot of them, in fact. Most people on the island (and most people we met in Australia) term these folks "backpackers." These might be tourists who come and stay for a short stint, but others stay for a long while, picking up low paying jobs so they can stay for extended periods of time. They're easily spotted by their tie-dye wear, big backpacks, and skimpy bikinis. Not to mention the brightly colored golf carts that many tourists cruise around in.

After feeding some rock wallabies near Horseshoe Bay (a peaceful beach with a strip of restaurants, shops, and bars) we settled in for an outdoor lunch at The Early Bird, a quiet cafe with a surprisingly extensive menu. It was nice to just sit in the shade, sipping an espresso and looking out onto the beach. I think I could get used to that.

In the afternoon we had a few hours of free time, so I took the opportunity do something I've been craving - a hike. So I quickly threw some sunscreen and water in a backpack, Chris pointed me in the right direction, and I set off to find the trail. I climbed up to the top of a ridge overlooking the harbor, blue skies overhead, and managed to bust through one or two spiderwebs, with only minor panic that there could be those famous poisonous Aussie spiders attached. A very successful hike indeed.

To cap off our day, Chris and a few other members of the Magnetic Island Rotary Club hosted us for a beach side picnic, kangaroo kabobs included. It's true what they say - Aussie's really do love their barbeques. As the sun set on our last day in Australia, surrounded by new friends, good food, and the promise of Tim Tam cheesecake, I couldn't help but feel already nostalgic for this country, and the people we met here. To me, Maggie Island captures the true Aussie spirit we've come to know and love - independent, quick to laugh, bold, adventurous, and just a little bit different. As the ferry took off for Townsville, just a little closer to the real world and to home, we could feel the island life slowly slip away. But even in just 24 hours, we were reminded that sometimes to live the life you want to live, you have to simply live it. Thanks, Maggie.