Farewell to Fraser

After our last visit to Eli Creek on Saturday afternoon with half the Island (parking spots at a premium).  

It was back to finish off  packing and cleaning.  Hard at it!

 Colin and RM tried their hand at fishing in the light of the full moon (made no difference as they didn't get a bite).  

Finished off all the scraps for dinner (tacos/burritos).

Rise and shine at 4.30 am.  Not quite daylight, but not far away.  A quick bite to eat, final packing, rubbish to the tip and off we go about 5.20.  The tide was reasonably high, but we had no problems.  As it was early, not much traffic about, but we did see on a dingo.  He just watched us while we took photos and the trotted off.

We were always going to be at the barge point early to avoid the high tide.  The drive inland was a little more leisurely than last Sunday as we were in no hurry.  We still managed to pull up at the barge point at 7.00.  

The barge was not until 9am.  We were well prepared, out come the bowls, spoons, cereal, milk, kettle, burner etc for part 2 of breakfast.  

After a few minutes, we all realised we were swatting at what seemed like non existent things, until we discovered what sand flies look like.  Tiny, pin head sized nasties.  They were everywhere.  Out came the bushman's repellant.  Too late for all of us.

We were soon entertained not long after by the stream of "Father and sons" from a local primary school at Maryborough.  There were 72 in their group who had been camping for the weekend.

Some of the dads were fine examples for their sons.  Get out of their car, light up a roll your own, and crack a xxxx gold at 8am!  Not to mention that quite a few looked like they could have been wearing the same clothes that they had on on Friday arvo when they arrived.

Once on the barge (which was 30 minutes late), the Captain goes through the standard safety procedures on board.  He then welcomes the kids back on board and reminds them that they are not to run anywhere on board. He goes on to say (and I quote) "I told you this on Friday afternoon and you didn't take notice and your fathers didn't give a shit either". Huge laughter from the rest of the travellers on board!

Back on shore, and a quick changeover of cars and gear.  We far welled Colin and Glenda at this point.  We got to Palm Beach about 3.30, not long after Helen and Russell.  

Nicola and Loren were due to fly in about 8pm. Unfortunately, Loren missed the flight.  After some panic, tears etc, another flight was arranged and she arrived at 9am this morning.  She stayed with a friend in Melbourne overnight.

Some time spent on the beach this morning, which is a short stroll up the path.  

After lunch, we went for a drive to Surfers Paradise.  The growth in this whole coastal area has continued since we were here last in 1999.  At the moment, a tram line in being put in along the Gold Coast highway.  It will be fabulous for local and tourists.  The population must be huge.  The roads are very congested, so the trams will ease some of this.

This is the final blog for this trip.  3 more nights here, then somewhere in NSW (not near any fires) and on to Wodonga on Friday night to stay with friends.  Home on Saturday.

Cheers for now!

Friday on Fraser

We are now drawing to the end of our time on Fraser Island.  It is now Saturday morning and we start the cleaning/packing process today.

Yesterday, we spent some time lolling around the house.  

After an early lunch, we headed out the back of Happy Valley to another inland lake. 

 Lake Garawongera.  

Advice at the shop said that if we were capable of getting to Lake Mackenzie the other day, then we would have no problems.  The track was pretty good apart from a number of tree roots protruding through the track.  It was also a bit narrower as the tourist buses and short stay visitors, don't visit this area. 

The lake was very pretty.  It was peaceful, only two other groups there, but they left not long after we arrived.  Selfie! below

We had our own private lake.  It would have been great to have had the kayak to travel across the lake as it was just so smooth and serene.

The water temperature was great, but the colour of the water was unusual. It was brown and clear, just like swimming in a cup of black tea!

Some relax time here was nice.  Some managed to close their eyes even!

Cam and Di, we did find a great walking track around the lake for you.  Only problem is, the lake was just too full.  Heaps of rain early in the year filled it to an extremely high level.  It may take quite some time for the track to be useable.

On our return, we were going to take a different route home, but after some backtracking, we discovered the road was closed.  At this point Col got to lead, although he had been very content to follow the leader for the rest of the trip.  

He was stressing a little if he met anyone coming the opposite direction as there were not many passing opportunities. We did not meet a vehicle on the way in, but lo and behold, he meets a vehicle.  Fortunately, about 50 metres back, there was a cutaway area, so Col backed up and the other vehicle pulled in, and off we went.  The only traffic for the rest of that trip.

Our evening was spent at the local bistro where we had dinner.  

The place had a big outdoor area which was very nice with the sea breeze blowing through.  

A very pleasant evening had by all.  The management were pleased that we had supported them.  This place has only reopened in the past few months. There is only a limited amount of traffic coming through, with some times of the year quieter than others. It is good that we have left some money on the island. I think Col still has to put in some fuel.  That will help the community!

This morning, we have headed for walk down the boardwalk to the beach.  We have spotted something in a pile on the path.  Initially, we thought somebody had dropped something.  On closer inspection, we discovered it was some wildlife having breakfast.  

The python was in the early stages of devouring a fruit bat!  

After RM assuring us that it couldn't do much else, we walked past and continued on down the beach.  

On our return, it was still there, and likely to be there for a couple more hours.  Possibly bit off more than it could chew.  Big brave Col was not using a stun gun!  He was just placing his go pro camera close by.

We have a very early start tomorrow.  The barge leaves at 9 but we are leaving here at 5.30.  We need to get through the beach before high tide.  As it is a full moon tonight, the tide will be higher than usual. Everything will be packed tonight and just a few things to throw in tomorrow.  Breakfast will be whilst we are waiting for the barge.

Stay tuned for the final Fraser Island instalment when we are on the mainland.

Cheers.

Day 5

Today (Thursday) RR and I decided not to go with the others on the drive to Sandy Cape.  

A fair portion of the drive was on the beach, but a few sections were on Sandy tracks that were more rugged than had been encountered previously.  They had a couple of near dramas of getting bogged and RM finishing 6 inches from a head on along the rough track.  But otherwise unscathed.  A steep climb from the parking area up to the lighthouse nearly did Col and RM in, with the girls streeting ahead and offering no sympathy. They did spot a dingo on the beach, much to Glenda's delight.  She now accepts that there is one dingo living on the Island.  They stopped at the other small villages of Orchid Beach and Cathederal Beach along the way.

Russ and I had a very pleasant relaxing day, walking around the village, and spent some time sitting in a little creek, just watching the world go by.  The photos below show some of the tracks and houses through the village, and also the electrified dingo grid.

At times, it was a very busy world with many vehicles coming into Happy Valley for supplies, lunch, morning or afternoon tea.  Diesel $2.15 and unleaded $2.10

Most of the tag along tours (an organised 4wd tour where the participants drive, but with a leader, usually 4 or 5 vehicles together) stop here for a break.  They are usually aged under 25 in these groups, many internationals in these groups.

This village is home to the Island' ambulance and a fire station.  Shelley, perhaps Luke should apply for Fraser Island paramedics position!

A game of cards ensued last night, so we managed to make it to after 10 o'clock.

RM and Colin went off fishing at 6.30 am this morning.  Colin managed to catch one.  Just as well we weren't relying on the big catch for tea.

Cheers for now

Day 4

Today was a much quieter day, after a big day yesterday. The weather started a little grey but made for great scenes along the beach.

After a leisurely walk at a more reasonable time (7.30), it was a leisurely breakfast, followed by a another stint on the beach.

BBQ snags and onion for lunch, then it was off down the beach for some fishing, relaxing and kite flying.  

The beach is great for kites, very wide (although the tide was coming in). Traffic was a bit of a problem.  It would have been poor form to crash the kite into an oncoming vehicle.  A few close calls, but no problem.

An attempt at fishing was made by some of the novices. RM is the only fisherman amongst us.

RR, Colin and I had a go. 

We managed the casting, but for some reason, no one even got a nibble.

 After about an hour, we gave it in and flew the kite.  RM was lured back to the surf and managed to catch a tailor. 

Colin decided to give things a go, but no luck for him either.  Must have had the wrong bait!

Check out the style of casting in the photos.  Expert! 

Glenda had no interest in fishing, quite happy to read, chill out or just take it all in.  

Helen gets to fish vicariously through RM's tales of woe and triumph.

Back to base late in the day for the usual, cuppa, showers, collect washing, predinner drinks and nibbles followed by dinner.  Once again, the early sunrise had got us all again and were in bed by 9.30!

I have included a few photos of our house and surroundings.  10 permanents live in this village, quite a few private residences and  2 resort style complexes.  Quite populous really.  All have one thing in common- the sand.  Sweeping the floor everyday seems to make only a slight difference. Oh well!

Our view, above is not spectacular, but quaint.  There are several places that have been here for a long time.  Just fibro asbestos places that have been added to over the years.  Solar power has made a huge difference these villages.  With all the sunlight, there is an almost endless supply of power.

This is an example (below) of the continually running flows into the ocean.  

It is fresh water just seeping out of the Island.  Some coloured oxides, minerals etc colour the sand in places, but others are clear.

There are many flows into the sea.  Some are easy to cross, no speed reduction needed, others have a drop off which requires caution when crossing.  

Naturally it is smoother closer to the sea, but salty water is best avoided where possible, to limit damage to the vehicles.

However, some people don't care, especially if it is not their own vehicle (plenty of hire 4wds here.  Most are older and it probably doesn't matter).

Hope all is good for you.  Cheers