Fraser Island

Time has flown by, having a fantastic time.

We caught a bus from Brisbane to Noosa, unfotunately we only had a night there. It's a real surfers town with an absolutely stunning beach. We did, however, have to share a room with Grotbag herself yuck!! Would love to go back there to do a surfing course.

Then it was straight to Hervey Bay for our 4WD trip to Fraser Island. We started VERY early and had to sit through 2 very cheesy videos on what not to do on the island. Basically DO NOT FEED THE DINGOS!!!

It's the biggest sand island in the world,175 KM long with a 75km beach. Got more sand than the Sahara apparently! I'm still finding it in the most odd places!!

Met the rest of our group at the hostel a real mix of nationalities and ages - English (unfortunately), Lebanese, Mexican, Swedish, Dutch and Belgian, 9 of us altogether. Collected our car and camping stuff and set off. Didn't get of to the best of starts when we got a puncture before we even got of the ferry, managed to change the tyre (not me obviously, I was supervising!) to find that too had a puncture, so third time lucky!

First stop was Mackenzie lake which is a massive freshwater lake with beautiful white sand. Managed to disturb the peace with a game of water rugby then set of for the camp site. We lost our map in the first 5 minutes so guessed which camp site to go to. We were all pleased with ourselves having put up our tents and cooked a barbie when the ranger pulled up..... we managed to camp in the only area on the entire island we weren't allowed to, it has the busiest dingo activity. She didn't seem too bothered as long as we monitored their activity, she even pulled a toy dingo out of her bum bag to illustrate their markings, what an exciting life she must lead!!

Had a fairly uneventful night, only saw 4 dingos. We were told we were safe as long as we shouted "DINGO" at them. It seemed to work anyway!

The second day was the best with a start at Eli creek which is basically a shallow river with an extremely strong current that carries you all the way down. A natural flume. We found it works better if you use an Eskie lid to float on. Managed to shatter the peace again with the who can surf the furthest on an eskie lid game. I was rubbish! Next stop was a shipwreck before walking up to one of the highest points on the island. Absolutely amazing views (running out of descriptive words!!) Saw loads of Tiger sharks, stingrays and whales.

Last stop of the day was the Champagne pools which is an area of rock pools where the sea washes into, natural hot(ish) tubs with pretty fish in. The only area where you can go in the sea due to the sneaky sharks and strong currents. Ended up camping in the right area this time, due to the handy map the dingo ranger gave us. We were right on the beach.

Third day was back to Eli creek, best way to wake up, before heading to Lake Wabby. A bit of a hike over sand dunes but more than worth it. The lake is at the bottom of a massive sand dune, so yet more shattering of the peace with who can do the most dramatic dive game.

Unfortunately that was all we had time for. There were soooo many highlights of the trip, one of the main ones driving along the beach and the amazing views and scenery. It's extremely hard to do the place justice in words. We were very lucky with the group we had, most of us are still together up here in Airlie Beach.

The day after we got back from the island we went whale watching, saw loads and loads, mainly mothers and their pups. They were being taught survival skills before heading to Antartica. So we saw tail bashing and breaching (to use the technical terms!)One of the best sights I have ever seen, they came right up to the boat.

I'll put piccies up when I get to Cairns in 5 days. I'm of sailing round the Whitsundays for 2 days tomorrow. Chilling at the lagoon today. I'm behaving myself and being a good girrrrlllll,Mum, bed by 9:30 every night xxxx