Fraser Island and our 1st Anniversary!

Van on Bardge to Fraser!One huge orchid!!Our anniversary! :)

Fraser Island- known as K’gari by the Butchulla people, is the worlds largest sand island and an area of remarkable beauty and dynamic change. Long beaches, dramatic colored-sand cliffs, natural sand blows, rocky headlands and pristine freshwater lakes and streams are some of Fraser Islands natural features. Its international significance was recognized by its World Heritage listing in 1992. It is also home to the world’s most pure strand of wild Dingoes. The island contains more sand then the entire Sahara desert. And we went for four nights and five days!.....


Look at the map- then- read on…. http://www.fraserisland.au.com/images/maps/Map-FI-camping.gif

We came in past Rainbow beach at Inskip Point on the ferry (yes, the Hippie Van took a ride!) to Hook Point. After landing at Hook Point, letting air out of the tires for beach (sand) driving and looking at each other in absolute awe and amazement we drove on down the beach. (When we say amazement- we mean it- this place is one of the coolest places either of us has ever been!) we even saw a dingo our first day. Because it was our anniversary we took some fun photos and broke out our bottle of newly bought Hunter Valley wine to share (us and the Kookaburras) Day one we drove as far as Central Station and stayed in a fenced in campground (Beware Dingoes!) We took a walk and saw some of the most huge Orchids I have ever seen, some WWII history and a giant stick bug! We slept peacefully knowing we were Dingo safe and woke in the morning to start a new day….

A Guianna (lizard!)

Day 2- We woke up, took showers and enjoyed a fruit bowl made with fresh Queensland fruit we bought at a roadside stand. Then we drove up the beach to the southern Fraser lakes loop and did some beach driving. We saw more dingoes- one with a fish in its mouth- it was VERY happy! We took a hike up Eli Creek and walked back down in the water- refreshing! We looked at the wreck of the Maheno, which is a luxery liner that shipwrecked in the 30’s on Fraser Island. We drove on by the Red Canyon and took some photos of the red sand (this island has about 5-8 different colors of sand!) For the night we camped ON THE BEACH at Burad, which was amazing. We could not see another soul, car or light for as long down the beach we could see in either direction- it was lovely (for our actual anniversary, AK time!)

Day 3- We awoke at Burad, drove to Waddy point to shower then continued on to Indian Head and Champagne pools (too cold and wavy to sit in but nice anyway) At Waddy point we saw our first Guiana who was trying to steal our lunch, very pushy! Orchid Beach was next on the way where we enjoyed a cool one with some locals, Phil and Rhonda, who invited us to stay a few at their place as we travel north. (they also have a house near Cairns) We got back in the old van and drove all the way to the Sandy Cape lighthouse which is rich in WWII history and artifacts. Along the way, we saw two untagged Dingoes in some of the wildest part of the island we enjoyed. The lighthouse was a climb but we made it! After our hike we drove to the Guruman campground and enjoyed another drink (we tried to watch a movie in the rain but our damn computer needed an update from the internet in order to play- gee, I don’t think we get wireless here…) In the morning we awoke to a very, very curious Dingo right outside our van door. So much for getting out of the van to stretch- off we go- after a honk and a wave to our resident Dingo!

A swamp wallaby.

Day 4- We drove through two rainbows, full beautiful rainbows, on our way back from our campsite. We saw two dingoes in love following each other quite cute-like (the male was of course behind the more intelligent female, and he was yawning none the less… probably because she was finding all the food, doing all the work and he was just bored with having nothing to do!) We went to lake Allom and saw another, smaller Ginanna and some lake turtles who were apparently used to being fed because they stared right up at us for quite some time. Next was the northern forest scenic drive which was 36 KM and included rainforest, scrub trees and large established woodland forest. After our long drive we came out conveniently at “Happy Valley Rainforest Lodge” where we enjoyed beer and Bundaburg’s (AU rum) with another very talkative local (Steve- who like to tell us his entire sad story but kept buying drinks for open ears!) At the end of the day we camped another night on the beach at Winnam beach camping site which was also wide-open and deserted except for us.

Day 5- Moring arrive and we were off to shower and get to the barge to take us back- only this way to Harvey Bay (a different location then where we started!) On the way to the barge we saw our one and only “Swamp Wallaby!” who was enjoying himself on the local runway. We got lucky at the barge and caught the earlier barge (and didn’t have to wait 4 hours!)

Our trip to Fraser Island was amazing and we both agreed it was one of the most incredible places either of us have ever been. We enjoyed wildlife, 4WD driving on sandy beaches, locals and scenery that was world class! We recommend this place to ANYONE! (We chose to camp, but yes, there are a FEW hotels available on the island for our more tidy friends!)