We set off on our trip to Fraser Island in our 4x4's with Sunrover, first calling in at Rainbow Beach, so named for it's coloured sands (although a storm had washed a lot of the sand away so we don't think we saw it at it's best!). We then headed to the ferry to take us over to Fraser Island.

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island and has more sand than the Sahara Desert! The island is about 25km wide and 130km long and has a very complex eco-system, which includes an extensive freshwater lake system and a rainforest running through the middle! Fraser is also home to around 130 wild Dingo, which are said to be the most pure in the whole of Australia. The island was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1991. There are no roads on the island and so the only way to get around is using a 4x4. Our first experience was driving up the 75 mile beach, trying to avoid the incoming sea, on our way to Maheno ship wreck! The boat was Scottish built and was apparently one of the fastest and finest of it's type, in it's day! The boat was on it's way to Japan where it was to be sold as scrap metal, thought to be used to make bombs during the 2nd world war, but was shipwrecked on the island during a storm, where it still stands today - although the ship is slowly sinking into the sand!

We then visited Eli Creek, which is a freshwater creek that runs into the sea. We walked into the island a little way to enter the creek and the plan was to 'float' our way back to the beach...but we opted for a gentle stroll through the waters as it was only knee deep and an 'invigorating' cold!

Next stop was a 2km walk through the sand dunes to Lake Wabby, the deepest lake on the island. The water was lovely, although a little dark which scared Laura when the guide shouted that there was a baby shark near her, which turned out to be a catfish!! We then walked back through the rainforest before heading to dinner at the resort. After dinner the campers amongst us went back to the campsite. On the way the van 'broke down' in the middle of the dark beach, or so the driver told us, but luckily he just wanted us to stop and gaze at stars! They were really bright as there was no moon or lights anywhere. Amazing!

The next day we set off to Lake McKenzie which is a pristine freshwater lake inside the island. The water was crystal clear and sand bright white, so we enjoyed a couple of hours swimming and sunbathing before our walk through the rainforest. We went to the central station, which was built when the first Europeans came to the island as loggers, the station was built to transport the heavy logs. From the station we walked a couple of km through the rainforest which was great and really cool and refreshing - we even saw a freshwater eel in the creek running through the forest...luckily no spiders! It was then time to make the journey back to Brisbane after a really great time on Fraser, one of our highlights!