Fraser Island Guided tour

We checked into a hostel in Hervey Bay to get some rest before the FI tour. Nick Bragnaza (who I was at law school with and who is joining White and Case in Feb like me) met up with us there as he had booked onto the same tour. We took a trip down the Esplanade and along Hervey Beach before turning in early in anticipation of our trip.

Now most people going to FI book onto the 4WD trips, hiring out jeeps and going with randoms all over the island on these self drive things. We just simply didnt have enough time to do this, plus I dont have my driving licence on me (having lost it in Bristol during a particularly drunken hockey tour last year) and Sam wasnt that comfortable with the idea of having to drive a jeep around. Instead we booked onto a guided tour which proved to be a wise move. The trip was certainly one of the best things I have done during this trip. Fraser Island is an absolutely must see and our guide Warren or Wazza was brilliant. The first morning we took a leisurely stroll through the rainforest which makes up 80% or so of the island. After enjoying an all you can eat lunch at the main resort there, we headed onto 74 mile beach for the afternoon. Dad the following is for you - Fraser Island has basically been formed from years of longshore drift. It has the biggest sand beach in the world and is said to have more sand on it than the sahara, though I think that is b******s. The beach itself acts a highway so as the photo shows, everyone drives up and down it. The east side of the island has great surf though sadly noone can partake as the waters here are shark infested! We enjoyed some coloured sands features and also the wreck of a former luxury liner which has resided on the beach since the 1940's. The highlight of day 1 was Indian Head, a great look out point. Captain James Fraser named it thus after seeing the Aboriginal for the first time and believing them to be Indians, gave it this name. After that, it was back on the bus to head back to resort. OUr accommodation was top notch - far better than staying in a smelly tent! It had 2 swimming pools, huge rooms with built in kitchen and large bathrooms - a major luxury for us! We got changed and ready for dinner - again with a box of goon for consumption! There was a nice mix of people on the tour - no stupid British idiots. We actually met a couple, Emma and Dan who had just got married and were on a year long honeymoon. Nice! Emma turned out to be a solicitor so there was much law chat at dinner. There was also a Dutch/American called Josh who was good fun alongside a few other couples. Soon the goon was brought out and the conversation flowed. Though the bar shut quite early so a relatively sober affair for once!

Day 2 witnessed another early start, but we are so used to them by now, I just tend to wake up earlier and earlier. A brisk early morning walk across some sand dunes saw us to lake Wabby, a magnificent freshwater lake where we spent a couple of hours swimming and relaxing. The sand dunes were so soft, you could go skidding down them - all we needed was a surf board and it would have been quality! After lunch, we went to Lake Mackenzie which apparently was a crucial element in giving the island world heritage status in 1991. It was more like a beach, lined with silica sand, although sadly it was a tad overcast. All to soon is time to board the ferry and head back to hervey bay. It really was a great trip and Wazza told us loads of interesting stuff about the island, however I wont bore you wtih the details as it was a 'you had to be there' kind of thing. What I will say is that the exotically named 'dingo' is a bloody let down as all it is is a kind of wild dog! So what!!

Off to Brisbane tomorrow to be reunited with Al and then fly to Melbourne very early Friday morning. I cant believe it's nearly Christmas! Photos to follow as soon as I can get them burned onto a CD.