coast from Brisbane. Hamilton is part of the Whitsunday archipelag0, which has seventy-four islands. Hamilton Island is quite small. Many employees must commute from the mainland. Our apartment comes with a "buggy", a golf cart. It doesn't have much power to make up the steep hills, but the island is so small, going slowly is no worries!One day, we take a special excursion. Where in the world are Ethan and Siena? They are standing in front of the largest living structure on earth.
It can be see from the moon, with other incredibly large things like the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This mammoth structure is half the size of Texas, bigger than the U.K. or is about the size of the Australian States of Victoria and Tasmania combined. Over 1400 species of fish call this home. This is the Great Barrier Reef. It isn’t actually one single reef, but is made up of many reefs. The one we are visiting is called Hardy Reef. It took 2 hours on a fast, sea-sickening catamaran to get out to the reef, where we docked up beside a floating pontoon. Half the family dove, the other snorkeled, and we saw a sea snake, loads of clown fish, a giant clam—over 1 meter across!
It can be see from the moon, with other incredibly large things like the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This mammoth structure is half the size of Texas, bigger than the U.K. or is about the size of the Australian States of Victoria and Tasmania combined. Over 1400 species of fish call this home. This is the Great Barrier Reef. It isn’t actually one single reef, but is made up of many reefs. The one we are visiting is called Hardy Reef. It took 2 hours on a fast, sea-sickening catamaran to get out to the reef, where we docked up beside a floating pontoon. Half the family dove, the other snorkeled, and we saw a sea snake, loads of clown fish, a giant clam—over 1 meter across!The island, being so small, we can literally drive all the roads in 30 minutes. 
But, the southwestern portion of the island is mountainous, and can only be accessed by foot (certainly not our underpowered electric buggy). We park our buggy and take two separate hikes. The first was to Coral Cove. Although the map indicated this would be a 45 minute hike, we did it in 40 minutes return (that's how the Aussies say round trip). We went steeply up, then steeply down to the small, empty beach.
But, the southwestern portion of the island is mountainous, and can only be accessed by foot (certainly not our underpowered electric buggy). We park our buggy and take two separate hikes. The first was to Coral Cove. Although the map indicated this would be a 45 minute hike, we did it in 40 minutes return (that's how the Aussies say round trip). We went steeply up, then steeply down to the small, empty beach.The second hike was much longer. It took us about an
hour each way. We were disappointed to have people on the beach when we arrived, but they left shortly afterwards. We built an in-ground picnic bench, and enjoyed our lunch in complete privacy.
hour each way. We were disappointed to have people on the beach when we arrived, but they left shortly afterwards. We built an in-ground picnic bench, and enjoyed our lunch in complete privacy.The "town" 0n the island surrounds the marina, consists of 4 restaurants, a general store, a bakery, a dive shop, a pharmacy, and, of course, the local pub. There is no local "fare" or local beer as it is too small to produce 
anything here. We try an Australian rum, and may we suggest no one consider doing the same. There's a reason you've never heard of Australian rum. We enjoy our 4 days in paradise, catching up on our blog, our math and our sleep.
anything here. We try an Australian rum, and may we suggest no one consider doing the same. There's a reason you've never heard of Australian rum. We enjoy our 4 days in paradise, catching up on our blog, our math and our sleep. We stop in Brisbane on our way to China. We have a lovely day exploring this fast paced, big city. For some reason, they want to be known as the Vegas of Australia. Personally, I'd have higher aspirations, myself. It does have a river running through it, and a great park on the south bank. They even built an artificial lagoon and beach in the park right in the middle of the city, which was pretty cool. We bid Australia a very fond farewell as we enter the last month of our trip.
Good on ya!
The Beatties
(written by Ethan and Siena)
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