Cruising down the beach in a 4x4 to Ocean Drive by the Lighthouse Family and the theme tune to The O.C sounds like something out of an American TV show. It's actually how we've spent the last 3 days, alongside 32 other backpackers on Fraser Island - the worlds largest sand island.

Following a short brief about the island, how to drive on sand and a few unnerving tips on how to deal with all the poisonous snakes, spiders and wild dingos we loaded the cars and set off.

Liam took the reigns early doors and we sped down the beach in convoy splashing through creeks as we made our way to Lake Mackenzie. Our car of 8 continued to take it in turns to take the wheel and a few hours later we arrived at camp. Liam's first job was to check the tent and it's surroundings for spiders. The island is home to the Tree Huntsman, a dinner plate sized animal who eats birds....BIRDS. Thorough checks were therefore required every time we entered the tent and thankfully none were to be seen. The camp was still full of the smaller variety though and I actually think I handled them pretty well considering my usual reactions. Our trip leader was on hand at all times to kill a deadly one if it came by so we felt safe knowing he was around.

After our first night of goon drinking (Australia's word for cheap boxes of wine) we were woken up sharp at 7 to start another full day of driving. We were taken first to hangover creek, the largest fresh water creek on the island filled with freeeeezing cold water. The idea is to dunk your whole body under to shock the hangover away...it worked a treat. Then it was up to the top of the island for whale and shark watching and more swimming in a massive Rock Pool. You'd think that being a beach we'd be able to go in the sea but the current was so strong it was unsafe. Oh and the fact that the island is practically surrounded by hungry sharks, whales and stingrays!

We finished off the goon that night and headed to the beach with our trip leader for a beach party, completely unaware that in the morning we would be bush walking for an hour to Lake Wabby, situated like a mirage at the end of a huge sand dune. It was a pretty dreadful start, the crowd walked in silence most of the way. When we arrived our hangovers were once again cured with a plunge in the cold water, and we all lay back together to enjoy the amazing surroundings. It's not often you lay on a sand dune with your toes dipped in the edge of a lake, surrounded by rainforest on a world heritage island in Australia, it was pretty decent.

We were told that it rains 275 days of the year somewhere on Fraser Island. We had 3 full days of glorious blue skies and sunshine. You're impressing us so far Australia!