Sunday, June 3, 2007

The One on Fraser

Next stop Hervey Bay, and another 3 day trip this time to Fraser Island. Fraser is interesting in that although it is entirely sand, there is still a lot of vegetation including large trees.

We are put in groups of ten and have to come up with a shopping list. We will be with these people for the next 3 days, and they could make or break the trip! Luckily we had a fantastic bunch (including a chef - so that was the food side of things sorted!

We head to camp shed to pick up the 4WD jeeps and all the equipment, and then head to Woollies to buy a whole lot of (mainly own brand) food. Fitting it all back in the vehicle proved a bit of a riddle, and the whole thing was turning into an Anneka Rice style event, as we kept looking at the other two groups and trying to beat them out of the Woollies Car Park.

Finally we were on the ferry across, and before we knew it we were putting the brakes to work on the downhill sections of the inner tracks of the island, which made you jolt around. You need 4WD vehicles here for very good reason.

At such a slow rate, it took us quite while to reach the beach which is also the road. The other two groups decided to have lunch here, but we set off on our own.

We stopped at the Shipwreck of the Maheno for some pictures, and then headed to set up camp and make lunch. Out tents were less than rubbish and very antiquated. One pole held the tent up and with the slightest nudge you would be smothered in canvas. Plus the tarpaulins for the top did not fit over the tent, and there were not enough guy ropes. It need very creative thinking, and looked a bit of a shambles to be honest!

With camp sorted we headed up to Indian head (where we spotted our first Dingo) and then back to camp where we sat to have a drink before dinner.

Then the rain started... we clambered into the back of the van, and had a couple more drinks. In the end the rain stopped about 10pm and we managed to make a sausage sandwich or two before crawling into bed, to find 2 of the tents had flooded. This resulted in at one time 6 people in a 3 man tent, and several people asleep in the van!

Next day we were up and about early, and luckily the sun was shining so we could dry the tents off a bit.

We headed to Eli Creek. A freshwater stream that pumps out tons of clear water per minute and as such you can float down it towards the beach. At times it's a bit shallow however so you need to commando crawl a bit!

Then we met up with the other two groups and set up a campsite together. In the afternoon we walked to Lake Wabby, which involves a 1 km walk across a Sand Blow. it looks like the Sahara Desert and involves a lot of ups and downs on sand dunes. I decided to roll down one!

Lake Wabby was a green coloured lake at the bottom of a steep sand dune and we went for a well deserved swim despite the weather looking particularly murky again.

Back at camp the weather holds off long enough for dinner this evening, but we hear the rain on the canvas all night long. We must have done a better job this time as only one tent floods.

I forgot to mention that with only 3 drivers (over 21, and who are used to manual cars) amongst ten of us, the poor group were subjected to my driving. on day 3 this was particularly fun,a s once more we headed on the bumpy inland roads.

Our final stop was Lake McKenzie. Despite the rain it was still beautiful. Again clear turquoise coloured water and soft white sands. Of the three groups barely anyone went in, and of our ten it was the 6 British who ventured in the water (which was surprisingly warm considering the weather)

Too soon it's time to head landward once more, and time to get the sand out of EVERYTHING I took with me!

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