Sand Everywhere

After mulling over the destinations on our Greyhound Bus Timetable we decide on Rainbow Beach, sounds nice, so this is our next stop. Surprisingly the coloured sands are not the most impressive feature in this tiny place. Pre-booked Frasers Backpackers Hostel, another good choice. Our room was ensuite with a balcony.
On our arrival we clocked a notice announcing a free introductory guided walk by Matty Mudcrab. His name alone was enough incentive for joining the tour. Turns out he was terrific, one eighth Aboriginal with an impressive repetoire of native bird calls. Walked up through woods until we came to a wall of sand. This was the start of the famous Sandblow, named Carlo, after Captain Cook's chef. Only when you climb to the top is the full glory of this natural feature revealed. Best described (by me anyway) as a glacier of sand, which moves at a rate of one metre a year. Fantastic views over the bush then as you walk barefoot over the rise an equally impressive ocean vista. The sandblow sits above the coloured cliffs where the wind constantly directs the sand upwards and inwards devouring all vegetation in its path. Well worth a visit for anyone travelling up or down the East Coast.
Relaxing at the hostel pool when we were reminded that tonight was Quiz Night, had to give a go since we were unbeaten on our travels. It was to be made from teams of three or four. Eileen thought we might have no chance because it was all Uni students in the hostel. I knew different, their heids are full of wee motors!!!!
Later that evening we joined up with Simon from York and each paid 2 dollars entry for the quiz. Lucky he was in our team as he was very good during the music round. After the final round I thought it was Deja Vu,


and the WINNING TEAM is === DAYS HERE AND THERE.



YES!!!!!!!! Champions of Oz as well as South East Asia, bring it on America. Better still, we shared 58 dollars prize money.







Another bus journey north, this time to Hervey Bay, stepping off point to the Great Sandy Island better known as Fraser Island. Once again we Blagged front seats on the bus, getting to be experts at it, whilst the driver is sorting out new passengers with their luggage Eileen is on board like a whippet.

Two free nights in Koalas Hostel as part of our tour to Fraser Island, thing is, we've been trying to spot Koalas ever since arriving in Oz, this is one better avoided. Crappy place full of really young travellers gearing up for 3 day, 2 nights, 4x4 vehicle and camping tours on the island, problem was we were booked on one as well.
Realised it wasn't for us so we hastily changed to a one day guided tour which turned out brilliant. Fraser is the largest sand island in the world, only 4 wheeled drive vehicles are suitable for the terrain.



Barges drop you off then it a bumpy ride all the way, either inland through bush and rainforest tracks or along 75 mile beach up to Indian Heads.


This place is BRILLIANT!! a natural wonder.




We saw loads of 4x4 vehicles on the mainland, so thought Fraser Island was going to be like Sauchiehall Street on a Saturday afternoon, but no, travelled for miles inland with not another living soul in sight. Stopped at Central Station, the original loggers base before they ceased logging. It's now the location of a Rainforest Boardwalk most of which follows a crystal clear creek. All the rivers and lakes on the island are the clearest water you can imagine due to the sand acting as a natural filtration system. Later we had a great time walking upstream along a creek, although it was deeper in parts than the guide told us. We drove along the beach at 50 MPH until we reached the Maheno Shipwreck, found out it was built on the Clyde!!!
Later after a big lunch we headed inland once more to Lake Mackenzie, the largest and most popular lake on the island. Loved swimming in the warm and amazingly clear water, even although it started raining just as we arrived.
Fraser Island is also famous for its Dingo population, they are the purest breed in Australia. A few years ago they killed a 9 year old boy so the authorities are a bit paranoid about their threat. Signs everywhere giving warnings, no feeding, no litter, no cooking in certain areas and the like. When swimming in the lake they have a habit of sniffing around bags left on the shore and running off with some.
We seen a few dingoes doing this, it was funny seeing people rushing out of the water trying to scare them off before they lost their belongings.

Back on the mainland we spent some time at the beach, no surprise there!!! Hervey Bay is the only calm water we,ve come across on the East Coast, everywhere has been dramatic crashing surfs. From the end of July to October Humpback Whales gather in this sheltered bay before continuing their migration, wish we could've seen that.


Our next destination was Agnes Water and the town of 1770, more like two villages really. When Captain Cook sailed in the Endeavour up the East Coast in 1770 he only set foot on land twice, in Botany Bay and at 1770, hence the name. Our hostel is the best one by far that we've stayed in. It is called the Southern Cross Tourist Retreat. Only recently opened, it has brilliant cabins (only A$56 Dollars for a Double) with porches dotted around the beautiful grounds. A real chill out place with a cracking swimming pool and communal area. We would've stayed longer if we hadn't already made arrangements. They even had Dani Minoque working in reception!!! How cool is that!!!
There are no keys issued here either, no crime in this little town.

One night after a Barbie some of the guests watched a DVD called HOSTEL 2, a movie about backpackers being brutally tortured and killed. Incredibly violent scenes, yet in one of them they carefully avoid showing a completely nude women, in case it offended someone, maybe!!. No wonder America and its crazy values is heading down the toilet.



Heard about a place called Workmans Beach, doesn't sound too exotic but we took a walk to check it out, well worth the effort, a beautiful and secluded stretch of sand. We spent all afternoon at a great spot near the rocks at the top end of the beach. I think there was only five people who made an appearance on the beach all day.


Took a stroll down to the local golf club, very quiet, more kangeroos than people. I was speaking to one of the staff when a golfer came in to buy more golf balls, he had run out. Must be quite tight out there I presumed, until coming across a sign warning that snakes inhabit the rough, most of which are highly poisonous. He was probably too scared to enter the rough, don't have that problem when playing over Troon Links.



When cycling we spotted two Black Cockatoos, they show a brilliant flash of red from their tails in flight, apparently they fetch about 25,000 US$ on the black market, no pun intended.

Didn't realise it is compulsary to wear helmets in Queensland, 60 A$ fine if caught.
Oh Naw!! Stopped by the Polis!!!!!

HE LET US OFF!!!

---

---