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Published: January 25th 2008
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We're home!
Not really, just a suburb of Hervey Bay. But it does feel like we're back in Devon as all the roads are named after towns/cities of Devon! From Bundaberg we moved onto Hervey Bay using it as an access point to Fraser Island. We spent a day in Hervey Bay, which turned out to be a nice, quaint seaside town. Extensive beaches much like those found in south west England had much to explore. On 16/1 we picked up a Landrover Defender, sharing with another couple (James and Beverly), and headed to Fraser Island on a 3-day 2-night adventure. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island measuring 120km x 15 km. The place is made totally of sand and boy is there lots of the stuff, hence the 4X4! After an early morning brief on what we could and could not do we headed across to the island via a 45 minute ferry ride, then the fun began. On day one we headed to Lake Jennings, Lake Birrabeen and Lake Boomanjin, which happen to be freshwater lakes in the middle of the island. They are amazing lakes surrounded by blindingly white sands and have an eerie look to them to the tannin content in the water. It's possible to swim in the lakes but due to inclement weather we took a pass on that one! The roads
on Fraser are - yes you guessed it sand! Because of this journey times across the island are extended; it's a bit of a roller coaster ride to be honest but fun all the same. After visiting these lakes it was time to find our accommodation, fortunately we didn't opt for tents like many others we went for the hostel (or flash packer) route. To get there we left the country roads and hit the highway (aka the beach). It's quite surreal to be firstly driving along a beach with the dunes on one side and the surf on the other and secondly seeing road signs along the beach. With Helens careful driving we made it to out digs for the evening to rest the sore behinds!
Day 2 saw us getting up early to allow us to head to the top of the island before high tide and take in sites along the way. Our first stop along the way was the wreck of the luxury cruise liner Maheno. It was blown ashore during a cyclone in 1935 whilst being towed to Japan for scrap. Over the years it has been used by the military for target practice
but still remain an impressive sight. Next stop took in the Pinnacles, upside down cones of sand rising out of the dunes consisting of beautifully coloured sands. We made it to Indian Heads at the top of the island for high tide - we mulled about in the general area for a few hours waiting for the tide to recede once more. The cliffs at Indian heads give great views across the island and down into the sea below. Stopping off at a beach called Waddy Point for lunch we climbed up the cliffs and witnessed Manta Rays swimming in the surf below. Once the sea had receded enough we headed back towards our accommodation in Happy Valley - where the happy people live! On route back we stopped off at the wreck once more so Mark and James could admire its enormity from a different angle. Before settling for the night we stopped off at the fresh water Eli Creek for a paddle. Although sunny the water was icy and people were swimming in it. Once back at the accommodation the ladies dealt with the meal for the night and Mark and James headed back to the wreck for
low tide to try and get the perfic pic! In doing so Mark almost got swept off his feet by a freak wave - in possession of Helens camera, no problem there then! It was amazing to be able to walk around the remains, most of it being buried under the sand. An experience to be experienced! Back to the hostel for yummy pasta!
Our last day was a little less taxing and the weather was glorious! After a drive along the beach we headed inland to Lake Wabby the deepest lake on the island but disappearing under sand at a rate of 3 meters a year. We then headed to Lake McKenzie the most popular and spectacular lake on the island. Glorious white sand surrounds the gently sloping lake. The water is so pure you can exfoliate with the sand and soften your skin with the water. It was then one final bumpy ride across the island for the last ferry of the day.
Fraser is a unique experience due to the driving involved and the community that lives on the island, totally alien to us. Another one for our great memory bank.
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