Bowen, Australia

When leaving the boat back into Airlie Beach we had a bit of a dilemma as the crew had arranged to meet all the punters for a drink during the evening which we would normally go to but we had already stayed at Airlie for two nights and needed to have the car back the following lunchtime and pick up the keys for our second houseswap. We were also knackered from the trip, it wasn’t that we had to do much but without aircon or breeze we hadn’t slept that good for the two nights aboard and it was a bit of a party so we decided to do the sensible thing and move on to Bowen.

Bowen, home of the big mango, is about an hours drive north of Airlie Beach on our way to Townsville so would cut some time off our journey for the next day. It was also the place that quite a lot of the film “Australia” was filmed. It’s quite an old fashioned place that is supposed to be like Australia used to be and also has nice beaches. We didn’t see that much of the place because we didn’t get there until quite late and needed internet and laundry facilities. Claire had spotted a Motel on the way in that she liked the looks of and didn’t see anything she liked better on our way around the many beach resorts of Bowen. We were a little surprised how pretty the place was because Pauly from the boat said that it was full of “rednecks” and was “the arsehole of Australia”; trust me its not. As we were keen to find a place to settle in so I could get on the internet and Claire could get on with the laundry we didn’t stop to take any photo’s so I had to steal some from google images. Claire decided that we should head back to the first place that she saw and check in there.

It was called the Castle Motor Lodge www.castlemotorlodge.com.au and turned out to be the best Motel that we had stayed in so far. They have recently changed hands and I can’t praise them enough. The rooms were spotlessly clean with crisp bedding and flat screen tv with lots of good channels, great shower and they even have a pool. Claire was pleased because they had a laundry which was free and I was pleased because the wifi was free and it only cost $105 a night. We did our bits had a very long hot shower and walked over to their restaurant for a drink and something to eat. Excellent staff in reception and at the bar, really friendly and helpful with an enthusiastic outlook. Claire ordered the Black Angus steak while I went for the seafood basket. We didn’t even have to order a side salad as they both came with one in the price and I kid you not it was one of the best meals that either of us has enjoyed since we got here. Totally faultless food and it was the best calamari that I have ever eaten. I had a piece of fish, two king prawns, two juicy scallops, the calamari served with chips and side salad in a bowel with a great dressing. I almost feel like it’s worth the 3 hour drive just to try something else. If you are ever in this area you must stay there and I will even be putting an entry onto tripadvisor which will be my first one ever.

At least the disappointment of missing the party was eased a little; hope you had a really great one guys and enjoy the rest of your holiday. Barry, stay out of the sun!