Next in our schedule of "must do" activities was a 3 day trip to Fraser Island, leaving from the town of Hervey Bay. After a very early start on Monday and having organised our group of eleven, sent people off to the supermarket, stocked up on alcohol, loaded the jeep and been briefed on our trip we set off in our 4x4. Of the eleven of us there were four of us who could drive (and who were over 21), but I think three of us were quite relieved that our main driver Greg was happy to do the lion's share. As soon as you drive off the ferry you realise how vital the jeep is, as the roads are incredibly bumpy. With the three guys sat up front, us eight girls were sat in two rows facing each other, a very sociable way to travel if it hadn't felt like a rollercoaster ride.

After a couple of hours we reached our campsite and set up the tents, went for a walk on the beach, and got absolutely soaked when it started to pour with rain. Ben did a great bbq in the evening and then it was off to bed so we could get up and out early.

Next morning it was my turn to drive (see cheesy photo), and we headed along the beach (much easier to drive on than the inland roads) to Indian Head. Unfortunately, as we climbed up to the viewpoint, it began to rain and we were soon stood in raincoats feeling like we were on a school trip to Wales. Not exactly how it looks in the postcards. However, we headed on to champagne pools and Ben even braved the cold and got in the water. From here we drove to a lake and had a yummy picnic of leftover sausage sandwiches, before heading to Eli Creek. Having heard of Eli Creek as the place people float down the creek like a lazy river, we were somewhat surprised at how shallow it seemed, and first walked down it before heading back and attempting to float down it, but really having to kind of army crawl on our stomachs.

That night was chilli con carne and card games, all good fun. Our final day was spent visiting two lakes. First was Lake Wabbi, which is surrounded by steep sand dunes. It wasn't long before the guys were racing down the hill and slamming into the water! The lake was really nice and picturesque. Our last stop was Lake Mackenzie, the most famous of Fraser Island's sights. The lake is really blue with bright sand and once you were in the water it wasn't too bad so long as you kept moving! From here it was on to the ferry for the trip back to the mainland, and then to the jeep hire place where we prayed they wouldn't try and charge us for any dents or scratches that were already there. We escaped with only a $25 charge for opening the first aid box....pretty steep for one plaster!

That night we all went to the bar, feeling much better after a shower and change. I even got to borrow a hairdrier and straighteners....very exciting! Fraser Island was great, had a really good group and best of all didn't get eaten by dingoes!