Fraser Island to Rainbow Beach

Morning sunlight beamed in stripes through the rainforest canopy, catching bark and leaf on its way down to the forest floor. Trees reached skyward as if they were dancers stretching before a performance. The dimensions of the forest changed as we bounced along the sandy track to Lake Birabeen, where like Lake McKenzie, white silica beaches led out to clear fresh waters.

We carried inflatable paddle boards out to the water's edge and took them out onto the midnight blue lake. A cool wind created ripples that bounced under our feet, firmly planted on the boards. We drove our paddles down to propel out of the shallows and into the deep. Quickly figures on the beach shrank and the only noises were the wind whispering past our ears, the cut of the paddles and the slap of water on the boards. Tensing our bodies to maintain balance and avoid a cold bath we steered our way around grass rushes and back to shore.

Afterwards we hiked out to the Hammerstone Sandblow, at the bottom of which lies Lake Wabby. Although we had already hiked the Carlo Sandblow at Rainbow Beach, the enormity of Hammerstone put Carlo in its shadow. Walking out of the forest trail we were taken aback by the desert landscape before us. The tiny figures of other hikers near the lake gave further perspective whilst black crows cried overhead. We followed markers down to the lake and although the temperature was in the mid 20s it felt hotter as we pulled our feet through the silky sands. It was tempting to break into a run down to its inviting waters of the lake. However we had been warned that every year people break their necks falling down the dunes or attempting to drive straight into the shallow waters. Taking heed, we trod carefully down the steep slope to bask in the sunshine and tranquility of the lake.

So peaceful was it that Alex fell asleep, although this may have had something to do with the amount of food he had consumed in the last 24 hours. As we had paid for this trip long before we left the UK, we had forgotten that it was inclusive of food. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners were buffet style and in Alex's case, a literal all-you-eat-food-coma-inducing-bonanza. We eat healthy both at home and when we've been travelling but put Alex in front of a 'free' buffet and something takes over. The good news he did not go 'bang' and lives to see another buffet...Read more