Fraser Island - 3rd Feb to 5th Feb

Upon leaving Agnes Water's our adventure onto one of the worlds top five heritage sites was underway. We arrived in Rainbow beach at 12.30 in the afternoon ready for our group meeting where our fate would be decided in respect of who we would spend the next 3 days with. After a brief walk around the area 4 o'clock came and the group was revealed. Once the safety videos were watched and the money paid we split into our two groups and went off shopping. The first impressions were good and I think everyone had good vibes, we were all human! As we made our way to IGA in the pouring rain we gathered our essentials, spent $22 each for the trip, and made our way to the bottle shop for some of the good stuff. After getting our bits together we separated as people went off for some dinner. Rachel and I headed to a small café around the corner called Snax where we treated ourselves to burger and nachos. Not before however gate crashing two of our group members 1 year anniversary meal oops!

We awoke the next morning at around 05.30am an early start ready to pack our 4 x 4 and head to the island. Once the bags were in storage and the shopping out of the fridge we loaded the vehicles and drove round the corner to the 4 x 4 Safari rental company to give us one final lecture and piece of advice on the island before we finally set off on our way. As we cruised down the highway Abba's 'Waterloo' blasted from Kelly's IPod and the sun gleamed through the clouds. The mood was positive and everyone seemed to bond well which set us up for what turned out to be the trip of a life time.

As we entered the barge we left the vehicle and got the first pictures of the island in the distance. Rainbow was only 10 minutes from Fraser so our trip was short. I took over at the wheel and drove onto the beach, the initial drive would take us about 40 minutes as we had to cut across inland to get over to the east beach where the vehicles could drive safely. The inland road was, well not too smooth, everyone was bouncing around behind me while I attempted to keep the vehicle straight on the road. After providing every passenger with a sore bum we pulled onto the beach and went into overdrive on the shoreline. The view was stunning; the crystal blue water crashing not more than 3 meters from the vehicle, the golden sand glowed with every glimmer of sun and the rain clouds provided an idyllic back drop to the green forests inland. As the views were absorbed we parked up and walked to our first destination, Lake Wallaby; an emerald green lake situated about 3km inland from the sea surrounded by green forestation on one side and a giant sand dune on the other. The wall of sand was as impressive as the lake itself and was a challenge walking up as it flowed like liquid under each step. We all chilled for the afternoon around the lake, sunbathing, swimming, and of course sand surfing. One of the lads, Ben had the best idea of back flipping down the dune and as impressive as it looked I decided to avoid that one and just surf down on my belly. Body boarding has always been my strong point and this time I did not even need a board to gain momentum, a strange feeling. As we wandered around exploring the area the cat fish glided around the waters close to the shore while others seemed to be playing played volley ball in the water. As the hours passed and our window for driving before high tide was getting smaller we packed up and made our way back to the vehicle where we sat and enjoyed lunch with the other car on the trip.

After lunch we attempted to play a bit of football although the wind kind of hampered that idea so we packed the vehilces and got on our way to the camp site with the aid of some true French driving from Geoffroy. Our camp site was situated just behind the first line of vegetation and pretty much on the beach. After getting slightly stuck in the sand and then stepping on a dead blue bottle jelly fish (it hurts as they still sting) we pulled the vehicles round and picked our spot. Everyone got stuck in and we lined the tarp across the trees for shelter and pitched the 8 tents underneath. With 21 to sleep and feed we had made a perfect camp ground ideal for socialising and cooking. The girls picked up the utensils and got to work on the food while the lads got to work on supplying people with booze, perfection. The first meal on Fraser was Spag bowl; always a winner with a big group and it tasted awesome considering the facilities. Once the washing up was done, a pile of sand in each plate rinsed in the sea and left to dry in the remaining sunlight, we sat down and got to know each other a little better with a game of I have never, beer and goon before people collapsed in to bed for the night as we had another early start on the horizon. We shared a tent with one other girl, 'Bonus', called Pip. Tightly packed in, we slept the best we could on a hard surface with little in the way of air circulation.

The next morning we awoke and found Dingo tracks throughout the camp site, sly b*****s they are although they would have left empty handed on this occasion. After a quick breakfast of cereal and bread we packed up the valuables and went on our way to Fraser Island's main attraction of Lake McKenzie. Although before getting there we stop off at the bins (thoroughly fenced off due to the dingoes) and the small community of Eurong where we topped up with ice. Once people had used the toilets and discovered a huge lizard the name of which eludes me we made the drive offroad to the lake of dreams. Kelly navigated us perfectly through the steep and sometimes hazardous terrain before parking up 3 minutes from the lake itself. As we walked through the forest we came through the trees into a huge opening where we were greeted by what looked like the Whitsundays; white sands and turquoise blue water. Lake McKenzie delivered in every way and was truly a stunning feature on this island made of sand. As we explored the waters and took some extravagant photos dingoes passed by us on the beach in the hunt for some food. These animals are the purest dog in the world, they look similar to foxes from the UK and are as scared of us and we seem to be of them? After spending a few hours indulging in paradise including swimming in waters pure enough to drink we headed back for lunch where we enjoyed a feast of cheese, ham, salad and the main feature of Doritos and dip! After which we set off for our next stop of Central Station.

On arrival the area was quiet and tranquil with little in the way of activity. We parked the vehicle up and walked to a nearby lake, or what we thought was a nearby lake but it took a 50 minute walk. As we meandered through he forest taking photos of trees and more trees we eventually found what we were looking for, a darker lake which was a mix of the previous two of green and blue. Following a brief swim and sit down we started to make our way back through to the camp ground where we were planning to cook a BBQ on the facilities provided. However, this is where the adventures began as while we had been away some pikey probably to dim to get a job decided to break into the vehicle and help themselves to some peoples stuff, including mine. Unfortunately I had decided to leave my bag behind for the first time and even though well hidden and fully locked in the vehicle the thieves clearly spotted it may be worth something as it was padlocked up. "So here's my tip to all travelers, padlocking bags just makes you more of a target so don't do it". Trying not to let it ruin what had been a great trip we all pulled together and made our way back to Eurong where we attempted to report it to the police. The word 'attempted' is key here as they were all on the mainland training. The adventure continued as the phones on the island would not call internationally for me to cancel my cards. Brilliant, so I trot off and purchase an international calling card after being advised in good faith that that would work. But no course it wouldn't, so eventually we called the company we hired the vehicles from who thankfully helped out and called home to get the cards cancelled and finally I could relax as there was no more we could do as we were technically stranded on the island. The night picked up and the group made the most of the time that was left. We cooked our BBQ on the gas stove, once again to perfection as we drank away the shock of being robbed. As the sky cleared the stars sparkled, the sea roared in the background, Dingoes wandered through the bushes on the hunt we all managed to laugh about the day's events.

The next morning was our last and after a slightly better night's sleep we packed up camp nice and early to make the most of our final few hours on Fraser. Once the vehicles were packed it was a little after 7am and we were ready to explore the northern tip of the island… until our vehicle failed to start. I had to apologize to the group, bad luck comes in 3's is that not right! stung by a jelly, robbed and now our vehicle had broken down. The second vehicle made its way to Eurong in desperation to call the mechanics while Pip and I attempted again to report our theft to the police. Failing again we reported into the Park Rangers and mainland police. As we left we hoped that the other vehicle had not already made its way back to camp but we were still in a run of bad luck. Fighting off the march flies we jogged down the beach like a scene from Baywatch before watching a rain shower pull in across the sea. With every cloud having a silver lining luckily in the distance the remaining 4 x 4 was heading straight for us, just in time as the heavens opened. Once we got back we all chilled out in some refreshing sun on the beach waiting for the AA or Australia's version of it. Thankfully it was not too long before he arrived, packed full of tools to aid us, and eventually the problem was discovered. It was not our fault as he found the alternator had packed in due to wear and tear. After the crocodile leads got us started he left them with us in case of further problems and got on our way. We first headed for the ship wreck of the Maheno which was beached in storms back in 1934. This famous wreak is an impressive sight as the ocean still crashes into it today and the rusty vessel still sits in the same position as it did over 70 years ago. The next and final stop of our journey was Eli Creek, one of the largest fresh water streams that drains into the sea. Once parked up we headed up stream where we could then float back down. There we finally saw our first snake in Australia and although the type of it alludes me we stayed well clear. After wandering back down stream and drying off in the first full day of sun we said good bye to Fraser and made our way back down the beach to the barge to take us back to the mainland. Everyone had got on like a house on fire, the perfect group, the perfect trip and the perfect way to see this natural wonder.

Once unpacked back at the hostel we finally officially reported the incident to the police and organised to meet up for dinner in the evening with the group. Once showered, refreshed, slightly lighter in luggage we all met up and spent out and indulged in a good burger in snax, this time not gate crashing a couples anniversary just causing the kitchen in this small café a headache as 16 people stumbled into it very hungry and very tired. After filling our boots we made our way back to the bar for a final drink before saying our farewells to group Fraser.

The memories from Fraser will live a very long time … the French drive, Pip's Schumacher through Eli Creek, Sand surfing, Kelly's laugh, getting robbed, Lake McKenzie, the savage Dingoes, the girl's communal pee and many more but most of all this natural wonder of an island in the middle of the ocean made entirely of just sand.