Australia here we go

This is a new episode of Martin’s life around the globe. After having moved to the north of Germany and living for over one year up in Bremen I finally left good old Germany behind again. This time the journey took me even further. After 3 weeks of travelling and strolling with Simone through the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali I eventually arrived here in Australia where I will be staying for the next half year.

It is a little town called Townsville in the state Queensland at the north east coast of Australia. This nice little town lies directly on the on the South Pacific Ocean (or Coral Sea) at the Great Barrier Reef. The reason why I am here is to do my Masterthesis with a marine science institute called the Australian Institute of Marine Science or shortly AIMS.

Townsville itself is a nice typically Ozzi Queenslander town. It’s a major mining and military base but also famous among backpackers due to its close proximity to surrounding islands like Magnetic Island (called Maggy in Oz) and the great barrier reef. Even though it is not Sydney or Melbourne Townsville got everything you need from an own Sea aquarium up to notorious bars like Molly Malone’s (right) and Zolli’s.

As everything in Australia the towns is quite far spread and public transport is not the best. The city surrounds a nice hill called Castle Hill (right) which offers a superb view over the city sometimes as far as Magnetic Island and nice sunsets. There are nice beaches here as well. Unfortunately during summer time waters around the Queensland coast aren’t easily accessible due to major marine hazards. These include the so called box jellyfish, Irukandji jellyfish, salt water crocodiles and all kinds of sharks. For this reason Townsville beach is fenced with a protective net to keep all dangerous marine life out. They even constructed the so called ‘rock pool’, and artificial basin of seawater to pump and filter seawater in and out to give people the possibility of a save swim.

The climate here at the gold coast is pretty good at the moment with 25° to 30° degrees C during the day and a nice constant breeze. However summer time is rainy season here and it will get much more rainy and humid during the next months.

This semi-humid climate has led to a rich wildlife in the area. You can see swarms of Ibises flying above you, while you are sitting on the veranda, watch gigantic fruit bats going out for late dinner right after dawn, check out some sea turtles that swim up to the beach or jetty to catch a glimpse of those lazy tourists or even see a group of humpback whales that migrate up north during this time of the year from their feeding grounds in Antarctica.

Queensland got lots to see and I am more than eager to explore!