As Joanne mentioned at the end of her last blog, it was time to be reunited with Justin. The more enthusiastic blog fans may remember Justin mentioned from the Perhentian Islands, where after partying with him for a week he told us to give him a shout anytime we were in Brisbane. We were both a little nervous getting the train out to his place because we'd not seen him for over 6 months and were worried that we'd built up his legendary status in our minds. Our fears were laid to rest however and when he pulled over in his van, gave us both a hug and said, "G'day guys. Right, lets go get a beer," it seemed just like it was yesterday we were lying around on a beach in Malaysia.

It was great having a local to show us around and catching up with the most stereotypical Aussie on Earth and his girlfriend Anna was awesome. On our 2nd day there Justin and Anna took us for a drive to a National Park where we swam under a waterfall coming through the roof of a cave with glow worms on the roof. After almost putting my hand down on the biggest spider I've ever seen however we made a swift exit.

After saying goodbye to Justin with our signiture thankyou poem we spent a day sightseeing in Brisbane before following Justins advice and heading up the coast to Harvey Bay, the setting off point to get to Fraser Island. We were introduced to the other 22 people we were going to the Island with the following morning and briefed about driving on the sand and how to be 'dingo safe' - apparently dingo's cant attack you if you cross your arms infront of you (I personally wasnt convinced and felt my kidneys and jugular were at particular threat.) We were now ready to pack up our 4x4's, buy our food supplies (only the bare essentials such as chocolate milk, peanut butter and funsize mars bars of course.)

So once the supplies had been bought it was time to head to the barge for the trip over to the Island. Fraser Island is a world heritage site so has no hotels, shops or any other permenant buildings or roads. Instead all visitors, like us had to camp along the 123 km beach. It really is difficult to describe just how beautiful the island is so the photos are probably the best idea to get an idea of how amazing the place is.

Once we were off the barge our convoy of 3 4x4's headed to our first stop, a walk through the rainforest. The dirt tracks were ridiculously uneven and every time we hit a log or a dip the 8 of us in our car would be launched into the air. It was an even rougher drive to Lake Wabby but was definitely worth the pain. The lake (in the picture) was at the bottom of a dune which you could run down before diving in (or if you prefer my style, run down 1/2 way, slip, roll the 2nd half and land face down in the sand just short of the water.) Our last drive of the day took us to the main beach where we set up camp before getting to know our crew better with a BBQ.

Day 2 was an early start so that we'd reach Champagne pools before the tide came in. It turned out we just made it after having to stop to help a pair of Germans who's 4x4 had flipped over after hitting a lip in the sand. We managed to push it over and get it safely away from the advancing tide just in time before reaching Champagne pools. half the day was spent lying around in the pools as they were filled up by waves and managed to spot a giant turtle and rays before visiting a wreck on the beach and my personal favourite, Ely Creek. Ely Creek is a 400m creek which you can walk up, lie down and let it gently float you back to the beach. It's a natural spring too so if all the hard work of being floating down to the beach gets too thirsty you can simply open your mouth and have a drink...awesome!!

The last day of our trip was equally as stressful, visiting a gew different lakes and chilling on the beaches before we had to head back to the barge. Despite being back on the mainland we werent ready quite yet to stop living the life of leisure so spent the next few days in Noosa, a coastal town back towards Brisbane with our new Austrian friends Steph and katy who we'd met on Fraser. There have been a lot of highlights since we arrived in Australia and more since we left home but pretty sure I speak for both of us when I say Fraser Island is definitely a contender for the top spot.

james