After a quick stop at Harvey Bay we were all set for Fraser Island. It was up at 6:00 in the morning (Wednesday 26th March). Still in a daze we watched the classic video for Fraser Island before being put into our group. It was clear from the start we were packing on the alcohol front. 120 cans on Tooheys, 25 litres of wine, and a bottle of Vodka in reserve, we scratched our heads as to whether we had enough for the 2 nights and the 8 out of 10 drinkers???? A challenge was in the offing. After briefing, and packing of the van, Matthew 'Clarkson' Hamer stepped up to the plate and drove. Woolworths was the first stop for some serious shopping! $200 of value products later (with a sneaky pie) we were cramming it into the van! Off to the port next. When we pulled up a fellow Palace vehicle with a Mum and Dad combo in, already had a flat tyre. Poor Dad had to change it by himself!!! Barge over, packed the food up, and the first of many cans was cracked open! Well we were celebrating........ Onto Fraser and after a little hold up with the permits, our Co-Pilot (the South African legend) secured us ours. It was off to Indian Head. Clarkson behind the wheel was a legend, but no matter how good the driver, it was like a bloody rollacoster in the back. Someone should tarmac Fraser!!! Great fun though. After some bouncy times, we rolled up to Indian Head. Short climb and some stunning views. After that a spot of lunch (sandy) it was off to the ship. Chris now behind the wheel. A creek stop followed for some paddling action then it was off to find a campsite. Chris 'Hammond' Saunders proved that 4x4's can manage a 45 degree angle, and with a fresh pair of boxer shorts all round we pitched up our camp next to some fellow campers.

Willing to show our camping skills we stood their scratching our heads as to how the European campers nextdoor had set up camp and cleared offf to the beach before we had one tent up! A little bit of help and our World War 1 tents were up and looking unimpressive. Oh well. Matthew was a legend in the cooking front and knocked us up a massive BBQ!!!! Some steady chocolate bannanas were also popped down!!!! Then it was time to bring out Ring of Fire! Hearing the fun being had the Europeans were quick to join in and the biggest game of Ring of Fire was underway. 17 in total. Some ridiculous rules and some lost in translation incidents, the Europeans were soon retiring, staggering back to their campsite! A few more rounds later, some new rules and a box being warn on the head of Matthew and Chris for what seemed like the majority of the night, it was off to bed. A good dent in our 120 Tooheys had been made but we recruited a couple more cases of goon from our European counterparts so day 2 looked set to be an even better one!

7:30 start the next morning to avoid the tide, Luke 'May' Purchase stepped up to the rains. A good cruise down the beach followed my some more off roading. Made our way back to where we began Fraser, and after a hard 20km it was time for breakfast and washing-up of the night before. Musli out of dog bowls and we were set for the day!!! Lake Wobby was our destination. James got behind the wheel and with his South African co pilot by his side he wasted no time in blasting us off 8km in the wrong direction (may not sound far but this is not a tarmac road!!). One 3 point turn later and we were back on course only to run into a broken down Koala Van (another 4x4). Their tyre was off and their spare didn't fit. Neither did their fellow Koala vans so they were stuck and blocking the path. We fortunately had a tyre that did fit and a driver who wasn't shy at doing a 3 point turn. So a quick u turn and we were off with our spare tyre still on the back looking for another route!!!

A bum numbing 30km ride later, and some bloody good map reading we arrived at Wobby car park. A short hike and we were presented with a glorious array of sand dunes and a fresh water lake you could practically drink from. Bags down and a day of running up and down sand dunes and bombing into the water was had. An amazing place that we had all to ourselves. We felt spoilt!!!! After a hard day at the office the lads went back to the van to make an afternoon snack for the group whilst the ladies sun bathed (ironic) and was joined by Frank the Guanna who had a crisp fettish (especially onion rings!).

Packed up it was on to find camp! After comments and complaints that we had still not seen a Dingo, we pulled into our site just as a Dingo was leaving. Certainly not the last we'd see of those cheeky monkeys. Set up camp but this time we were more like Ray Mears on steroids and had a professionally erect campsite, comple with porch to keep off the impending rain. Mathew 'Delia' Hamer got in the kitchin once again (hero!) whilst the men played ball on the beach and watched the purple sunset. Whilst on the beach a re-calculation of alcohol was also made and the Toohey challenge had been set (a goon one was later also formed). After a lovely sandy spag bol (not the chefs fault) we set about putting a bloody good dent into the remaining alcohol. The lads introduced the christmas tree game to the group and 2 rounds later, and a lot of people hammering Frey Bentos to drink (South African Matt) their appeared to be a few casulties. Whilst some had retired to their tents and Matt (South African) was doing a nodding dog impression, our Welsh Matt had also gone to bed. Or so he thought. Someone must have stolen his map for the 4 metre hike back to the tent because a glance over from the group, Matt was all tucked up in the nearest sand dune, Dingos close by. After Luke gave him a prod and told him to get to bed, to which Matt replied 'i am in bed!!!!', Matt dusted off his afro (which he is still doing) and climbed into the tent. Un-beknown to us at the time we had some party guests. It seemed whislt our Toohey challenge was being completed, the dingos also thought Matt's spag bol smelt rather tastey and picked up a knife and forlk and dusted the rest off (would have been enough for ten for breakfast). Amoungst the pack appeared to be a Mr Sweet Tooth as not content with his mains, he promptly put down a pack of assorted family biscuits and a barrel of Woolworths value margarine. He denied it in the morning but as Chris went off with his spade, toilet roll and newspaper he clearly saw the culprut as he could not stop liking his lips!

Dingos well fed, a few hangovers and it was time to pack up our stuff and head for lake Mckenzie. Surprisingly after his previous nights antics, Matt 'Clarkson' Hamer was the only one who could pass for legal behind the wheel (perhaps the dingos didn't eat everything after all) so we set off. A short hop to Mckenzie and we were treated to the bluest lake we had ever seen. Lots of frolicing later a lady from the group challenged us to a swim across the lake. Luke, not having complete faith in the NHS handy work when it comes to his knee thought he'd give it a miss, whilst Chris (not 100% sobre) and Matt decided to do it! Quote on quote 'it did not look that far'. Starting well it was amazing swimming through blue waters that you could open your eyes in and see everything without goggles!!! Awesome experince even when Matt Spits and Chris Thorpedo looked at each other 25 minutes in, half way across the lake and wondered if there 8 weeks of intense beer training was going to be enough to get them through. However with determination Matt and Chris were soon doing the 20 minute walk back, 2 mile swim badges sewn onto their speedos. Big pat on the back.

After some R and R on the beach and watching everyone else tuck into lunch whilst we looked on contemplating a sand sandwhich (those f*****g Dingos) we headed to the port. We all had probably our best experiences ever. Fraser Island was simply amazing. Stunning views, lots of messing around to be had, and some bloody good drunken camping. We had a fantastic group that got on well, even if one lady took about 2.5 million photos. How many back of the head shots? It will be a hard one to top but we think we're up for the challenge!