Hervey Bay and Fraser Island 23rd-27th December

Next stop, Hervey Bay. Much bigger than we expected! We pulled in to a huge retail park where Fraser Roving backpackers were waiting with their pink van to collect us. We checked in and got settled in our hostel which was really nice.

That evening we headed for our Fraser Island briefing at 6:30pm. Here we found out all our info for the 3 day/2 night trip and our groups. We were with 3 Swedish guys, a Swiss Guy, 2 girls from Taiwan and a girl from Japan.
Although we had been told to sort out our shopping list that night ready for the morning, the 3 girls and the Swiss lad disappeared leaving me, Neil and the 3 Swedish guys to think about it.

The next morning was mother briefing with our BIG PINK 4X4!! They went through all the driving details and the contents of the van. All aboard, 3 in the front 6 in the back (and all our bags shoved wherever we could) we headed in convoy with 3 other PINK 4x4s to the supermarket/bottle shop!

Without being competitive (you know me!) we raced around the supermarket- and as you can imagine it was Xmas eve so EVERYONE was out doing their shopping! The boys headed to the bottle shop and we loaded the car being the 1st 4x4 to leave and arrive at the pier.
Neil was the designated driver and waited in the van to drive it onto the ferry.
At the other side we all waited while Neil reversed the van off and we all clambered aboard again. We were given quite a strict timetable due to the tide coming in and out. If we got salt water on the van it could have cost us $1000!!! The 4x4 drive was hilarious, it was so bumpy and loads of other vehicles were getting stuck. Our driver of course was the best! The first stop was Eurong resort where we picked up some lunch and walked down to the beach (NO swimming due to tiger sharks although an English group of lads had no fear what so ever) At 3pm we drove to Lake Wabby. One in the car park area it took a good 45 mins to walk there in the blazing heat with sand going EVERYHWHERE. I didn’t complain once I’m sure you can imagine! We had a swim in the lake and there was only one other group there so it was really peaceful. At the edge of the lake was a sand dune and many people walked to the top and rolled down into the lake. Funny to watch. In the lake were catfish, about a foot long. They weren’t shy and I had a fit every time I felt something near me!

Back to the van and I had a go at driving. Another experience in itself! I shat myself lots of times and decided after half an hour it wasn’t for me!!

We drove to our camp site where we met up with 2 of the other groups. Tents up, we cooked a bbq on our little gas stove. It started to get dark quite quickly so packed away and had a few drinks. A big Aussie family had a camp set up nearby and invited us over. We went over very briefly as they were all sooo drunk it was a little embarrassing! Good job we are sensible. They were quite persistent and came looking for us, very insistent thy showed us their FIRE skills. Next thing they have ropes on fire and are swinging them around (a little like we saw in Thailand) but scary as they were all mega drunk. Our group stayed up and drank some more, at this point I’m tipsy and keep needing the toilet. Neil enjoyed watching out for Dingoes while I dag a hole and squatted behind a bush  Luckily after a good few drinks I was able to sleep ok in the tent with Neil and another guy. So good infact I don’t really remember getting in the tent in the 1st place.

Christmas morning we were awake very early with the sun shining through the tent. None of our heads were particularly good but we had to be off the campsite by 6am. We drove to Indian head and became a little confused as to where to go. We decided to go against the itinerary and drive through Indian head.....2 cars were stuck in the sand on the way through but we just made it. Once through on the other side we decided we shouldn’t have been there so dared to drive back. Thankfully we didn’t get stuck! We parked up and walked to the top of Indian head admiring the views all around. After we walked 45 minutes (which was hell) along the beach in the HOT sun to Champagne Pools. I had bought an umbrella with me and walked with it up to try and stop being burnt, the heat was intense! Champagne pools is a natural swimming pool surrounded by rocks. When the tide comes in it splashes over the edge and makes the water bubble like champagne. Really beautiful .We all stripped off and spent 1 hour swimming and relaxing here. Oblivious to the heat, I lay on my front chatting away in my bikini!! I’m sure you can all guess what happened!

We did the walk back and it was a little cooler this time round. We chilled out on the beach and had a little sleep and then headed back to camp for the night. At this point I was starting to get pains on my bum and back but couldn’t understand. Once back at camp I asked Neil to investigate, to find I was TOTALLY burnt! Oops! No drink that night but we cooked some good grub. We spotted a few dingoes and kept away from the crazy aussies! I had to go to bed as I was in so much pain. The next morning was another early one although this time I didn’t sleep so well..Neil did! After we packed up the tent we realised we hadn’t got the phone. To this day we don’t know what happened to it, we think it must have sunk in the sand!

Van packed we drove to Lake McKenzie. The drive was off road again and VERY painful for me with a burnt bum .I cried and screamed every time the van went into a ditch. The other guys never said a word, I’m not sure they knew what to think of me! Neil got the most grief because he was driving!
We had the whole morning at Lake Mc Kenzie and we were the 1st ones there. Another amazing sight. Clear blue with a beautiful beach. We relaxed here until 11:30am and then headed back to get the ferry.
Once back at Hervey Bay we filled up with petrol and got the van back to the hostel.
That night we all got together, played pool, had quite a lot to drink and had a great night. We met lots of great people and although I was in pain with a burnt arse, I didn’t let that get in the way of a good night!