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netGallery > Gavin & Lorraine > World_Tour_2005 > Australia > Hervey Bay + Fraser Island

Hervey Bay + Fraser Island

Australia

December 2005
3 days

Gavin wrote:
Lorraine didnt enjoy her fraser island trip 4 years ago, so she was dreading it. We got a 4x4 self drive jeep with 7 other people, lots of camping and cooking equipment and headed off via the supermarket for 3 days (2 nights) on the island.

Fortunatly there were only 3 of us in the group that were elligible to drive so i got to do a lot of off-roading and sand driving which was insanly fun, as i was the only one used to driving on the left (the other two drivers were from norway) i had the first drive to the barge and beyond.

Fraser island is the worlds largest sand island - i was expecting sand dunes everywhere - but its mostly covered with rainforest although its sand beneath it - driving was fun, pretty bumpy - no real roads just sand - its cool cos youre basically power sliding all the way (like Sega Rally).

Anyway, we had a rough itinery to follow and our first task (after getting drinking water) was to drive across the island (35km of sega rally!) then onto the beach for some beach driving up to the start of a leisurly bush walk which took us to this fresh water lake with sand dunes on one side and rainforest on the other (Lake Wabby - funny names in Oz) - it was an awesome sight and the lake was great for swimming in.

After that we drove off looking for somewhere to camp, its really cool cos the main beach/highway is about 200km long (you can drive up to 80kmph on it) and there are camp sites all along it - we found a decent spot and set up camp.

Camping was pretty fun - although very basic with no toilets or showers (lorraine was not amused), i was hungry and so decided that i would cook - i did a mean bbq and we set up right on the beach at sunset which was pretty cool, we ate and runk and got to know each other.

In the morning we packed up early (due to the heat and light) and drove to a fresh water creek which empties into the sea - you can walk a few 100m along the creek and then get in this freeezing cold water and float all the way to the beach - very refreshing and cures all hangovers - oh at this point i should mention that fraser island is surrounded by shark infested waters and is the main breeding ground for tiger sharks - so as the guy at the hostel said &Quot;you;d have to be suicidal to swim in the ocean&Quot;

After the swim we drove up the coast until we found a proper camp site where we could wash our dishes from the night before (cooks are excempt from doing any of this stuff of course) and prepare breakfast. All round australia, here included are these massive free gas bbqs which are like massive hot plates and a pleasure to use. I cooked again and made us a monster fry-up.

Once we had done the washing up (except me again) and cleared all the stuff away we headed to the northern tip of the island where we parked up and climed up a cliff and saw some amazing views - we were supposed to be shark watching (the water was SO clear) but we didnt see any - we did see three huge sting rays tho. We also walked along a beautiful beach towards some rock pools which were ok, the walk was nice however.

Once we had all regrouped at the car we drove south and on the way checked out some cliffs that were a funny color and a very rusty ship wreck on the beach - we drove about 100km south in fact and setup camp on the beach again. We made a much better camp site the second time around, way more comfortable and i pointed the jeep right at our main shelter (it was baking hot in the days and the nights it rained a bit and we were treated to some of the most amazing thunder and lightning storms i have ever seem - with flash of lightning looking like massive trees (ground-up! - weird)) so we had light.

I cooked again - i did a massive spagetti bolognaise - and got myself out of clearing up and the washing up the following day - heheh. We then had a mission to drink all the alchohol we brought as it was our last night, we nearly did it - only one can left from the whole group!

The next morning we drove back to the creek for a quick dip and then drove towards another freshwater lake called Lake McKenzie which is a beautiful blue fresh water lake surrounded by white sand. We basically hung out here all day and sun bathed and then before we headed off back to the barge i cooked up the last of our food for lunch and that was pretty much it for our fraser island trip.

We didnt get stuck once! lorraine was dreading us getting the jeep stuck in the sand and then having to push as that featured alot in her trip - but we were fine. On the last night lorraine and i got absoultly bitten to death (must of had a mozzie in our tent as everyone else was fine).

In the evening we headed for Arlie Beach where we had our Whitsundays sailing trip organised for the following day.

Lorraine wrote:
Then went to fraser Island for a 4x4 driving 3 day camping trip. been before and didnt like it much so I was dreading it. But this time got a much nicer group and the car didnt get stuck all the time and it wasnt as bumpy. Went to a couple of nice lakes, really hot there but cant swim in the sea as full of sharks and undercurrents. We chose not to camp at campsites, so pretty basic. Saw the best lightening ever. It rained one night so we went to sleep - everyt\one thought it was about midnight but turned out to be about 8ish - rock n roll!!!

Got back after 3 days absolutely bitten to death and everything damp and covered in sand and took a night bus to Arlie beach.