Today we set off on our 'Fraser Island' trip. Thursday - Up early to meet the trip instructor who showed us the 4x4 and went over once again the driving procedure. He then waved us off with Annie driving and me map reading. We went to "Woolworths" to get the food supplys for the trip (very easy to make meals!) and then I drove us to the barge. I had to back the 4x4 onto the barge, a difficult task considering there was a huge blind spot where all the camping gear was! Driving a 4x4 is quite different, you have 3 kinds of 4x4 gear (H2 - roads, H4 - hard sand and L4 - soft sand) and then also the normal gears to deal with. You also can only start the car in 2nd gear when in 4x4 mode - how very comlplicated! The barge trip took 30mins from 'Harvey Bay' to 'Fraser Island'. Once we reached 'Wangcoolba Creek' on 'Fraser Island' I drove to 'Central Station' where we had to collect water and ice. It was a very slow and bumpy track, but it was great fun!! I then drove to the east side of the island where we had a lunch break at 'Eurong Resort'. Annie then took over and drove to 'Eli Creek', the first beach section. It was a really georgeous area, the creek just appeared from within a little forest that backed onto the beach. The water was really cold but everyone had a quick paddle and we also met up with another group and had a game of rounders on the beach. Then it got to 3pm and we had to move to the campsite for the evening (you are not allowed to drive along the beach after 3.30pm due to the tide). We found a perfect spot right near the creek but 10mins after we had set up the tents a ranger came along and told us that we could not camp where we were. Damn it! So we had to move on, I had to drive the 4x4 behind the dunes where it was safe to camp. So we set up again and luckily that was ok. We got out the BBQ and tried to cook but most people ended up with more sand than sausage! Friday - After an ok night sleep I was woken up by the light at 7am. I was first up and so got the hob out and started to boil the water, I also set up the breakfast food and equipment. It was a more successful meal, less sand involved! Although a lot of the group did not eat a lot, including Annie, as they were feeling slightly worse for wear!! I was fine as I did not drink due to the responsibility of being one of the main drivers. Camp was then packed up and Julien drove us to 'Maheno' - the shipwreck site on the beach. From there he drove to 'Indian Heads' and we took a walk right up to the top of the cliff-face to see if we could spot any tiger sharks in the water below - we did not! It was so pretty, stunning views over the island and the clear (yet rough) sea. He then drove to 'Happy Valley' campsite for lunch. After lunch I drove us to 'Eli Creek' as the guys wanted a swim and the girls wanted to sunbathe. Then at 2.45pm I drove us to the camping area right near 'Cornwalls Break Road'. We set up camp and a ranger came to warn us about the dingos that inhabited that area(foxes that roam about the camping areas looking for food, and they hunt in packs!). We then all had an afternoon cuppa and chatted, the group got on really well, most of the others were 19 except for the French married couple who were 26 and 28. In the eveing we cooked a pasta dinner, including garlic bread on the BBQ. And the guys had a big drinking session as it was Jamies 19 birthday on Saturday. We did see some dingos, but they did not really attack the camp. Saturday - Last day on the island. Today we were up early and had breakfast and packed up all by 9am. Julien then drove us to 'Lake Wabby'. We parked on the beach and then walked along a 2km track to the lake. It was worth it, the lake was stunning and had golden dunes that lead down to the clear green/blue freshwater lake. Most of the group went for a swim in the clear yet cool water. I then took over the driving and drove us to 'Lake McKenzie'. It was a very difficult and bumpy forest track to the lake, with some very 4x4 style hills and holes! Once we reached the lake though it was postcard perfect. Brilliant white sand that lead to a warm clear blue lake - wow, it was amazing to find such a place so hidden away. We then spent the afternoon here chilling out before I drove us back for the 4pm barge back to the mainland. In the evening we all met up and went out for a drink and a meal. I then met up with Neeley and we stayed up for the FA Cup final, I dont believe a team can so outplay another and still lose on penalties!!!! Well that trip was so much fun, the views were georgeous and the lake stunning. Driving a 4x4 on the beach was a very different and interesting experience, although being one of the main drivers meant that was more tired at the end of the day due to having to concentrate very hard on the driving. But I would not have changed that for the world!