So we arrived in Rainbow Beach which is lovely and checked in to pippies - a very cute hostel which is being looked after by laura vaughan who did lifesaving with Cath Worth from Swansea! jen tell her this!

We then met our group for Fraser Island - 1 italian, 2 english, and 3 germans. Despite it being a self drive noone else realised that actually meant you needed to be able to drive so we ended up being the only 2 drivers. We did our group shopping, packed it all on the roof of our 4x4 and then headed off on the barge to the island. then over sand in low gears only getting stuck twice! over a bu,mpy indoor track to the first lake which had tea tree in it, then to the second lake which was beautiful crystal clear waters. At one point Mel jumped out to direct Stu;s driving and there was a snake right there - she was later told off for not taking a photo! We had a great BBQ at central Station and then had an early night.

Early start to take down camp and go to basin lake where there are supposed to be turtle but we saw none. We did see lots of lizards tho. Swam in the lovely but busy lake mackenzie. Then a long beach drive up to Indian head where we did see turtles. Our camp site was visited by dingoes and mel's neck visted by a tick. We did eventually find someone who knew how to remove them without leaving the head in ("i take them out of my dog all the time"). it is still sore but hopefully going to be ok. Anyone with any medical advice on it very welcome!

A brilliant 3 dAy trip with no damage to the car, where Mel improved her german (vorsprung durch technik) and we taught the Germans how to play one fat hen (tongue twister game)!