Survivor Fraser Island

---

2 couples, 2 kids, 2 teens and 2 not so young castaway in an island for 5 days.

Mission: Who will survive it and have the most fun ???

First Challenge: Setting up camp in the storm !

Second Challenge: Roughing it !

Third Challenge: Getting bogged !

Fourth Challenge: Tipping over on the inland tracks !

Fifth Challenge: Catching the most fish !

The likes of Bear Grylls will thrive on this island. There are plenty of fish to catch, bugs to munch on and fresh water to quench the thirst. The breathtaking scenery and natural wonders anywhere you turn are just a bonus.

Day 1: Surviving the First Day

The city is still asleep whilst society is snoring in slumber when we hit the road at the crack of dawn. We arrived in Hervey Bay around 9am after a 4 hour drive from Brisbane. We missed the barge to Fraser by half an hour. The next barge departs in the afternoon at 3.30pm. I went to the information center to find an alternative route. Found out that there's another barge departing from Riverheads at 10.30am. Perfect !

We reached the island before lunch and started pitching tents when a storm came with a vengeance. We all got soaking wet. The tents are getting blown away. Jamie, Jon and Dirk are fuming ! In hopeless situations such as this, I just laugh. The other campers watching us are also laughing. It's just impossible to set up camp in the middle of the storm. So the best course of action is to simply wait it out 'til the storm subsides.

Luckily, we were blessed with sunshine the following days.

Day 2: Allom Lake and Eli Creek

I am not particularly a morning person. But in the island, my internal clock resets. Comes 5am, a silent morning call wakes me up. Still half-asleep, I put on my jacket and walk to the beach. The cool mist from the surf, the sound of the crashing waves, the nice breeze softly blowing on my face, the crisp air I breathe and explosion of colours in the sky brought me to an overwhelming state of elation. From that moment, I then realized that THIS IS IT, this is what I came here for. To witness the glory of the morning sun and bask in the joy of it all.

After breakfast, we were off to Allom lake to see the freshwater turtles. We stayed 'til lunch and had a nice picnic amongst the trees.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon at Eli Creek wading in its crystal clear water which snakes through the forest.

Day 3: Lake Wabby

The trek to Lake Wabby took about an hour. Our plan to go sand tabogganing didn't materialize as we didn't have the proper sledge. We all had a nice swim at the lake nonetheless.


Day 4: Champagne Pool

The other reason for coming back to Fraser Island is to take a dip in the Champagne pool. As I sit still, I can see little bubbles forming on my skin (just like the tiny bubbles in the champagne glass). It really is fascinating. As the waves come crashing on the rock pool, it creates a bubbling effect, thus where the name Champagne Pool was derived from. Champagne pool is also an open aquarium. There's so many colourful fish and other small marine life to see.

It was on the way to the Champagne Pool when my brother Jon's 4WD got bogged ! One of the best things about Australia is, there's always a good samaritan just waiting around the corner. The guy who helped us out said that we're the 3rd group he helped that day. Ahhhh, the world needs more people like him I must say.

After a nice swim in the rock pool, Jamie, Jon, Dirk and mum went fishing. Ryan and Dylan had a blast in the surf while Charmaine and I went for a hike up the Indian Head Point.



Day 5: Surviving the last day to Lake Birrabeen

The way to Lake Birrabeen was the most treacherous drive due to the rugged inland tracks. We narrowly missed a gaping hole in the dirt road. However, Dirk and mum were not so lucky. They fell right into it and tipped their 4WD in a 60 degrees angle ! Lucky nobody got hurt. Though they were extremely shaken up about the whole incident.





At the end of our 5 days camping trip to Fraser Island, I'd say Ryan and Dylan had the most fun.

They enjoyed the surf the most,
the swim in the lakes,
had loads of fun doing the "twist dance" whilst digging their feet into the sand searching for clams (which were used as fish baits)
and buidling their own teepee the "Bear Grylls" style !

Jamie and Jon thought they had the most fun because they get to fish to their heart's content.

We really didn't "rough" it that much. We pretty much packed everything we need to make camping by the beach comfortable. Though we were reduced to washing our hair with the rainwater run-off/washout and had to make/dig a makeshift toilet. My nephew Reid didn't "go" for 5 days !
It is baffling how he managed to hold it in !


It's true that happiness is magnified when shared. It's our second camping trip in this beautiful island and enjoyed it more sharing the experience with my brother's family.

The highlights of the camping trip for me are the beautiful sunrise and the feeling that I truly enjoyed every moment of it.

Cheers !

---