We left Tin Can Bay on a mission to find the best (and cheapest) tour to Fraser Island. To do this we would have to travel to Hervey Bay, where the ferry to Fraser departs. We found our third CS host Ryan in Hervey Bay and so off we went.

On our first afternoon we explored Hervey Bay itself as well as our options for Fraser. We quickly found the option that suited us best: A day tour with all the main highlights. We were very lucky to have chosen the option as our good friend the rain decided to pay us a visit in Hervey Bay so it was grey and stormy for the three days that we were there.

On Thursday morning we woke up all ready for our tour. The rain could not put a dampner (pun intended) on our excitement. We boarded the ferry and saw our first ever wild sea turtle from the deck. Whilst going to get a cup of coffee (yes it was an early start for me) I met the ferry resident cat who peacefully sits amongst the tourists and has been living on the ferry for 9 years (apparently to keep the birds off the boat). When we arrived on the Island we were met by our tour guide and bus driver who would take us to all the good spots in a big 4WD bus. Our first stop was the Fraser's famous shipwreck the SS Maheno. Here we attempted to take a photo but had to fight with about a million other people who had the same idea. In the end we managed to take a couple of quick snapshots (there might be a rude french tourist in one or two of them) which you can see for yourselves in the photo album. Our next stop was the crystal clear Eli creek where you have the opportunity to walk up the creek itself and then float back down. We opted for the boardwalk as the rain had decided to grace us with its presence.... AGAIN! After Eli Creek we went for a drive up the beach where we saw our first wild dingo! By now it was lunch time so we headed to one of the Island's resorts for a very yummy buffet (which included roast chicken and a potato bake). The afternoon at Fraser was really the highlight because we got see the beautiful Lake Mckenzie (the photo's will not do it justice, it is something you have to see) and we were lucky that the sun was out for about 10 minutes so we even got to have a swim in the lake. Our final stop was the rainforest were we were treated to a big rainshower (thank goodness for our rainjackets) and watched the other people who had not basted themselves in mozzie spray do the clap-slap mozzie dance. Even though we did not have much luck weather wise, we still really enjoyed ourselves and came home to Ryan tired and happy after a full day of adventure!

We had gotten the Island Bug now so on Friday morning we left Ryan for Bundaberg where we could explore our options for Lady Elliot Island. We found a very nice campsite which was also very conveniently located near the Rum distillery (But we don't like rum so that doesn't count for us :P). That evening our neighbours arrived and were really fun and warm people who spent the next two nights chatting to us and sharing a couple of beers. They were father and son, called Jeffrey and Geoffrey but not named after each other. They have said that their door is always open for us to stay and come visit so. Once again Aussie friendlines and hospitality at it's best! The next morning we looked at our options of Lady Elliot and found that it was way too expensive for the likes of us backpackers so we thought, oh well, if not why not, we might as well go and do some rum tasting (of course we had not intentionally booked a campsite near the distillary in any case :P). Bundaberg rum is delicious but no one in Europe can get to taste it as all the aussies drink most of it before it can get exported. Because we could not make Lady Elliot we decided to take the advice of fellow couchsurfer Wil (whom we had met at the couchsurfing meeting in Surfers Paradise) and check out Great Keppel Island! This meant our next destination would be the seaside town of Yeppoon!

After three nights in Bundaberg we were off to Yeppoon where we found yet another fantastic campsite ( this one even had an outdoor cinema and a waterslide). We immediately explored our Great Keppel options and found that this was the perfect island getaway for us and we booked a three night camp at the Great Keppel Island Holiday Village. We did our shop for the trip immediately as well as the next day all the shops would be closed for a Aussie public holiday called Anzac day. Anzac day marks a day of rememberance for war victims as well as a day of commemoration for those still fighting for their country. It is called Anzac day after a world war 1 battle between Australia/New Zealand and the Turkish (I suggest googling it for an interesting piece of history). We wanted to learn more about Anzac day so decided to attend the dawn service the next day at 5 am (yes I did manage to get up that early). It was very moving to see young and old come together and take a moment for all those who fight/have faught for their country. It was a special experience and I wish we all could use it as an example.

On Wednesday morning we said goodbye to cornelius for three days and took the Ferry to Great Keppel. I'm not really sure how to describe our time on this beautiful (almost uninhabited) Island as it was truly unique and magical. We had a great campsite with top notch facilities (just think that everything has to be powered by generator and that water needs to pumped) in the midst of nature. We spent our evenings with possums and kerloos where all was just peace, zen, and quiet. During the day we went for a hike with some fellow travellers that we had met and in the evening we went to the only bar on the island and had a great night full of laughter, conversation, and of course some good drinks. We also managed to spot an echidna and were introduced to the resident cockatoo Ernie (who steals people's cigarettes and coffee as she is addicted to caffeine and nicotine). The island is so special because it is almost untouched by human hands and those that do live and stay there are respectful of the nature of and wildlife of the Island. We walked on beaches were we were the only people and swam in crystal clear water. The pictures will speak for themselves.

On Saturday we left our little Keppel bubble towards our next destination: Mackay! Janey's parents had kindly offered to take us in and we did not have any idea how lucky we were and how spoilt we would be when we got there!

To all those reading our stories, thanks for reading ! We love being on this adventure, but we love even more sharing it with our dearest friends! If you feel like leaving a comment, please do, we love hearing what you think!

xoxo Lex and Jaime