Fraser Island

Alarm at 4.45am ready for trip to Fraser Island. Drove to Noosa Marina and picked up the large converted truck that would take us on our adventure. We should have travelled along the beach but the high tides and strong winds had revealed rocks making the beach impassable. Took the inland road to Inskip to pick up the ferry. Once across onto the Island the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy most of the day in the dry. Fraser Island is the worlds largest sand island. It is amazing how it manages to support such a variety of plant life, rain forest, lakes, creeks and animals. It has been a world heritage site since 1992 one of only 400 in the world. Our vehicle took us up the beach at a speed of 80kph skirting the waters edge to find the firmest sand. After about 30mins we turned inland to our first stop, Birabeen Lake. A fresh water lake on perfect white sands. We went for a paddle and then were off to Central Station. This was the centre of the logging industry which survived until 1991.From here we had a walk through the rain forest where the creeks are so clear the sandy bottom gives the impression that there is a scum on the surface.We stayed there for a BBQ lunch and then went further north. We visited 3 locations. Firstly the wreck of the Maheno a WW1 hospital ship that was on its way to Japan to be scrapped when it came ashore in heavy winds in 1935. Not much left now but an interesting relic of the past. From there on to the Pinnacles a formation of coloured rocks. We then turned back to Eli Creek. This is the islands largest creek and pours between 80 - 100 million litres of water an hour into the sea. The area was full of back packers floating down the creek on rubber rings. We stopped for a walk and a cup of tea and a Lammington. A young Dingo came to see what was going on. The drive along the beach took an hour, 75km of white sand.Got the ferry back to the mainland, it started raining again. Because the tide was out we were able to get back to Noosa on the beach so made good time and were home by 6.15pm. Fell into bed at 9.30 knackered,Read more