So Hervey bay was our launch point for Fraser Island, we had booked a cheap campsite on the outskirts of Hervey bay as we had a night to kill until our free hostel accomodation became available to secure our stuff while on the trip. On arrival at the sit all seemed calm but it seemed odd that no other campas or tents were there, only static caravans and statics with cabins built on to them were visible. The later on it got the more people emerged from the caravans around us but still no other tourists, this was because this place was trailer trash city. The caravam opposite us became a busy one as more and more cars came in clearly getting their drugs as the guy would come out get the cash go back in and get the goods!! We shut the windows closed the curtains locked the doors and kept quite for the night as it all only got worse, but e survived and left swiftly the next day. Our hostel called beaches was a noisey place but ok for a free night, 6am on the day of the trip we met in the bar sorted who would get food supplies and who would load the van etc. Off we tripped to the 4x4 hire place I (David) stayed to load and check the vehicle while Carina went on the shopping trip with the others from the 3 other groups as there was four vehicles in all. All this took quite a while as we had all camping equipment to check and pack as well as food and coolers etc, then it was off to the ferry port and cross to the island. Once off the other side we realised how remote this place was, the roads were the beach and dirt tracks with pot holes the size of craters on the moon!!!! The first place we visited was breathtaking, a place called lake Mckenzie which on the photos you will think is a beach but it is a warm freah water lake which is the closest thing we have seen to the maldives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next up was a place called Eli Creek where you walk to the top and float down with the help of your hands walking on the creek bed, this again was fresh water and ran straight into the sea but crossed the beach and made a hell of a splash when you hit it at speed in the jeep. (we did this more than once). We visited a shipwreck called "Maheno" which you should look up on web it has an interesting history, we then stopped at some rocks named the pinnacles which are different colours due to weathering and different sands sticking to them when blown inshore. Camp that night was in the woods at a place called base camp, the guy who looks after it does a 20 min intro. This consits of telling you that the brown snakes that pass through the camp will hurt like hell but if you get an air ambulance out in 30 mins you will live! The dingoes may attack you if they feel threatened and you should treat them like a wild animal should this happen and attack them back !!!!! GREAT. The lizards are huge but pretty harmless (see this on the pics with the tent in the back ground, its on the tree to the left), but the best treat is called the "death adder" now if you feel this bite you it will have bitten you a dozen times before you feel the first one. The only advice you get for this is to pray! or put your head between your legs and kiss your rear goodbye as you have around 30 seconds to live............. he then proceeds to tell you that all lights in the camp (they only have them in kitchen as its a wood) go out at 9pm so torches only after that.... So what do you do????? you say thanks Carl, have your tea get your torch, booze and go to the beach for a party and make lots of noise as these lovely creatures avoid noise.

So after surviving the first night (not much sleep) it was Davids birthday (old git), so David was driving the jeep this day. We set out to the beach, 4x4 engaged and went head long at the deep white stuff! First stop was Champagne pools, this place was once used by the aboriginal people as a fish trap, the champagne pools is an ancient volcanic rock formation in the shallows of the beach. The 'champagne bubbles' are created when waves crash over the rock wall. This is a very strange feeling and much better than any spa or jacuzzi, you can see the fizz on the pics. From here we went to Indian heads which looks out from the cliff tops to the sea where you can allegedly see the shark infested water below (oh yeah Carl said no swimming in the sea due to all the sharks!) but we saw none, but a good view! After this it was on to another lake called lake Birrabeen which was again very warm but not clear and tropical looking as the other was but good fun had by all. The drive had been rough and extremely bumpy, David made sure of this and enjoyed every minute of beach driving and picking a route through the forest. Once back at the campsite for the night Carina had brought an old friend to the party, "Daniels" "Jack Daniels" he toasted B'day boy along with a special event. This was the happy birthday to you song in 5 different languages, English, Korean, Swiss, Spanish, Norwegian followed by marshmellow toasting and a beach party.

The final day was taken up re-visiting the beautiful lake Mckenzie and lake Allom where you could not swim but dozens of mini turtles came to the shore edge to see you but took off again if you stepped in the water. Carina had a go driving on the beach and a little in the bumpy dirt tracks but not for long as really she was not allowed but not one to be missed, and yes she thoroughly enjoyed it! A few of the other girls in our group had a go and what an experience that was. The Korean girl 'Chloe' bless her decided to go through as much water as possible which got us soaked and then decided to head straight for the rocks and as we all shouted she swerved and we nearly went over!!! It was all fun and games to say the least!!! We had some pics on the aeroplane landing strip which was also on the beach, another strange thing we have seen then it was back on the ferry and over to the main land. A fun filled adventure but very tiering so it was an early night once we were showered (the island ones had been cold or the lake!)and settled back in our campa.

As always get ready for the next adventure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know it will be good!! Ha