1st October

Brisbane- Noosa

Today we picked up our Leopard print Wicked Campervan for our 10 day road trip heading north of Brisbane on the East Coast.

Our most challenging task was trying to find a petrol station whilst on empty around the one way system in Brisbane city-Nightmare! But with Lisa's handy map reading and asking every person we met...we fibally get underway out of the city and to the highway. We aim to reach Noosa for our first overnight stop. Along the way, we stop at the famous Ettamoagh pub located next to Aussie world its based on an Outback themed Bar. So after a swift pint for lisa and a glass of coke for the driver its back on the road to make our stopover in Noosa. All in all the drive took us around 5 hours, so we park up for the night in a caravan park just outside Noosa town. We set up the stove, table and chairs and crack open a beer or two whilst watching the sunset.An early night as a very early start in the morning.

2nd October

Day 2: Noosa- Rainbow beach

An early start, slept good in the van... We heard a few things wandering around outside in the night..I reckon its best not to look out the window! Today we depart for the magnificent Rainbow Beach on the Fraser Coast for a few days to take in all the sights. A scenic 3 hour drive North East passing the sugar cane fields, and forests while watching out for Koalas and Kangaroos along the way. We arrive in Rainbow beach a small unspoilt town with red cliffs facing onto the marvelous beach. We find a vacant park to stay for a few nights and have a walk around the town and visit the beach.We set up again for the night as we have an early trip tomorrow to Fraser Island.

3rd October

Day 3: Rainbow Beach- Fraser Island day trip

Today we take a full day guided tour to Fraser Island. We board our monster 4WD bus and catch the ferry across to the island only takes 10 minutes! From there we drive down 75mile beach to the Eurong beach resort for a morning coffee stop and cake. Fraser Island is the worlds biggest sand island.Rainforests and some 200 freshwater lakes dot the landscape, and dunes known as sandblows tower up to 224m tall. The island contains more sand than the sahara deser..allegedly! The island is also famous for its population of Dingoes.We leave Eurong resort and drive along 75mile beach to view the Maheno shipwreck thats washed up the shore.Along the way we spot a washed up Manta ray.We stopped to help it back into the sea but unfortunatley it was dead. We stopped at the amazing shipwreck to take some pictures.The ship came ashore in 1935, with its rusty carcass still being bashed by the sea water it is a spectacular sight. We then travel up to the pinnacles/coloured sands and we took the option of doing a scenic flight for 20mins with Air Fraser over the Island. The flight was amazing and truly breathtaking. From the air we spotted whales jumping in the ocean,sea turtles and manta rays and even some sharks! The water was crystal clear.The island was as beautiful from 2,000 feet as it was from the ground. Lisa got offered the lucky chance to be seated up front as " co-pilot" on the little light aircraft.Definately a perfect viewing spot!! We glided smoothly over the lakes and sandblows with panoramic views up and down the island as the ocean seemed to stretch forever fringed with white sand. We took off and landed on the beach whcih was cool. A smooth landing and back on the bus to head down towards Eli Creek for a swim in the crystal clear waterway that flows swiflty through the dunes. We took a short walk around its banks to admire the colourful wildflowers and birds. After here we go back to Eurong beach for a buffet lunch which was lovely.

In the afternoonwe visitcentral station and walk through the rainforest along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek to see the rare King Ferns and tree Fungi. It was a nice cool strool out of the sun. We followed the sand tracks through forests of Scribbly gum and huge Satinay, Brush , Box and Kauri trees to Lake Mc Kenzie. This is one of the most spectacular lakes with its crystal greeny blue freshwater and its sand so fine we are told to exfoliate with it..and i must say it really did the trick for dry skin! This really was unbelievable to find such an amazing lake in the middle of a rainforests.So peaceful.We realxed here and had a lovely swim and a scrub in the beautiful lake Mc Kenzie.We depart through the sand and hills for our return to Rainbow beach. What a fantastic day at Fraser Island.