Tuesday, November 22, 2011

road trippin': fraser island, noosa, dreamworld and home

Sandy roads of Fraser Island, definitely need a 4WD on this island!
After a night at 1770 / Agnes Water, we packed up and went on our way to Hervey Bay, stopping at Bundaberg to wash the ute. Then off to River Head to catch the barge (ferry) over to Fraser Island! Because we went there on a whim, it was a bit of a rush and ran into some difficulties. We got there at 2pm and the ticket office was closed so we had to go to another shop that sold tickets and also get some groceries, fill up the tank, and we thought we had only half hour to do all! Fortunately we found out that we had until 3:30pm to get on the barge. We also had to do some calling around to get the permits we needed to drive and camp on Fraser Island. Everything worked out and we got everything organized in time! 

On the Kingfisher Bay barge (ferry) over to Fraser

The barge ride took about 45 minutes. We arrived at Kingfisher Resort and tried to ask for some information and help and had some trouble there as well. We bought a map and headed for Central Station to camp for the night. It was pretty cool four-wheel driving through the forest in the sand. It was bit of a trek, taking an hour to go to our destination because the roads were pretty bad and got to the camp site by dark. Got to Sanitay campground. Setting up the tent in the dark wasn't too bad. There were dingo warnings all over the place, the information pamphlets, maps and signs around the camp site saying: Beware of Dingos, don't walk around alone, and pack your food away, and I it got me all worried about the dingos haha. Anyway, we had some dinner and went to bed.

The next morning, we woke up to a huge forest, which was amazing because we didn't even know where were camping since it was so dark when we got there! It was so lush, green and mossy. After some breakfast we packed up and were on our way to explore the island! Drove to Eurong to get a couple things and started our beach drive from there, which was really fun and travelled up the seventy five mile beach. 

At Central Station campgrounds. Woke up in a lush forest. 


Shane swinging on a vine he found.
Driving on the 75 mile beach

We checked out Eli Creek, which was a fresh water creek and The Shipwreck on the beach. We also saw the pinnacles. Got to Indian Head and got stuck in the soft sand for a bit at the bypass but made it through. Went to the Champagne Pools and we had some lunch there. We really enjoyed the sun and the beach drive and getting to see so many sights. 

At Eli Creek - one of the many fresh water creeks along the beach
Eli Creek 
Eli Creek

The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck

The Pinnacles

Having some fun at the Pinnacles

My sad attempt at a star haha


The Pinnacles

Walk to the Champagne Pools
Champagne Pools

Champagne Pools
Champagne Pools

Then we went to Waddy Point to set up camp for the night. Our plan was to go to Wathumba but it was further drive and would have been dark by the time we got there. When we got to Waddy Point, the ranger told us he knew a better spot to camp along the beach so he took us driving on the beach through some pretty crazy terrain. There was lots of massive potholes filled with water and mud and the ranger got soaked from going through a really huge puddle, so we tried to find another way around and the ranger left us! We found a way around but then we decided to just go back to Waddy Point. It was a pretty good site. We had a bit of rain in the afternoon. We set up a fire and we made steak burritos for dinner, showered, and Shane found some cane toads along the way and went on a killing spree (since cane toads are bad for their ecosystem). $1 showers so it was nice and hot and much needed!

The terrain the ranger took us on.



We went to Wathumba Creek, the next morning, to check it out and go for a fish. Took about 40 min to get there because the roads were still bad and rough. The tide was going out so we walked along the beach the wrong way and the water was getting shallower so we couldn't really fish. We tried and threw a couple out but just got some weeds back! So we went back to our campsite to pack up. 


So many different types of trees along our drive through the island.
Wathumba Creek, we were the only ones on this side, first to leave footprints in the sand



Wathumba Creek at low tide.


We went back on the beach to get to a scenic route to go check out Lake Mckenzie. On the way, we also checked out Wabby Lake Lookout, which was really cool because the lake was right next to a huge sand dune, but we were running low on time so we didn't go down to the lake. Got to Lake Mckenzie, which is a fresh water lake and it was so beautiful. Crystal clear water and white, super fine sand. The water was a bit fresh but nice after you get in. 

Another group of different trees seen on our drive inland.
Lake Wabby Lookout
Lake Mckenzie. Clearest water and softest sand.

Lake Mckenzie, a popular tourist stop



After a dip in the lake, we went to  find ourselves a campsite for the night near Eurong. It was our last night on Fraser Island and ended up staying at One Tree Rock on the beach. It was a secluded and calm place. Made some some dinner, set up a fire and enjoyed our dinner by the fire. We saw some bats, and Shane saw a dingo stroll by in front of us but I didn't see because my eyes didn't adjust quick enough. We saw the beach by moonlight and that was really nice and peaceful.

Camping along the beach near Eurong



We had such an amazing time at Fraser Island, there was just so much to see and do, we wished we had another day or two to really explore the place without feeling rushed at times! But Fraser Island is definitely a must!!

We took the barge over to Rainbow Beach the next morning, and made the drive down to Noosa and stayed there for couple hours and had lunch at the Surf Club. So relaxing we didn't want to leave! We contemplated on staying a night at Noosa or just head to Brisbane for the night, so we decided on Brisbane to stay with Tess and Ian again.

Taking the barge back to Rainbow Beach

Noosa Beach, QLD

Noosa Surf Club



Before heading back home, we spent a day at Dreamworld! We went on some rides and went to the waterpark at White Water World and then made the drive back home to Old Bar!



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