Proserpine & Airlie Queensland

The stopping off point for the sailing course was Airlie in Queensland - essentially, it is a backpacking town with one main road full of bars; clubs and backpacking hostels (plus one or two OK hotels).

I was there off-season, and it was quite pleasant - bet it's heaving in the high season. One of the higlights was fish and chips in Australia's "second-best fish restaurant" - 'Fish D'vine' ....the evening was assisted by the fact the restaurant was located next door to a specialist rum pub. Hic.

It was a 40 minute or so drive to Airlie from the local airport at Proserpine (population 3000). There's nothing there at all except for miles and miles of sugar cane. I noticed another crop - which I asked if it was grape vines - but no, turns out they're experimenting (successfully apparently) with growing coffee there.

Proserpine airport reminded me of one of the small caribbean airports you see ... you land (in a jet) on a large field (kangeroos were grazing right up to the perimeter fence - not at all fazed by the jet noise) - the waiting lounge was outside as was the area where you had to pick your luggage up!

M