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Published: October 29th 2007
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After the disappointment of Airlie beach we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived in Hervey Bay. The long stretch of beach was idyllic with a few people scattered about. We strolled along the beach then came back via the little shore front shops, dipping in and out to look at souvenirs. We had booked a day at Fraser Island for our first day and a day at sea whale watching for the next day.
We hopped on the ferry at 8.30 to cross the Sandy Strait to Fraser which is a gigantic sand bar measuring 120km by 15km. As we approached it looked just too lush and green to be the world’s largest sand island!
We climbed into our 4WD coach for a days island tour, we had tried to get on a smaller 4WD trip but it was fully booked so we had to join the herd of 30 others on the coach. The island is stunning; we bounced along the deep sand road to the commentary of our driver giving us the colorful history of the island. Our first stop was Lake Birrabeen. The lake basin is made up of the obvious sand but also dead leaves
and wood forming a waterproof layer for rain water to collect over thousands of years. The water was unbelievably crystal clear and cold!! Never the less I braved the cold and went for a swim (Jason wimped out and only went to his knees). The water is meant to be very therapeutic due to its purity and slightly acidic pH. The sand is also quite special as it is crystalline and incredibly fine; it acts as an excellent exfoliator and also buffs up jewelry to its original bling!
From here we bounced along for another 20 minutes until we reached the Central Station which was originally the timber logging centre of the island but is now a secluded collection of shady picnic tables and a tucked away camp site. Our driver took us for a guided boardwalk telling us all about the logging industry which stopped in 1991 and the types of various trees, flora and fauna which was all very interesting.
Once our walk was completed our coach took us to Happy Valley, via highway 1 which is in fact the beach!! We bombed along overtaking a few jeeps and dodging the waves. We stopped for our
buffet lunch and watched one of the local dingo's walk by.
After lunch we hopped back in the coach and back on the beach, the next stop was the Pinnacles a small selection of coloured sand cliffs. From here we came back down the beach to the stunning wreck of the Maheno which was slowly being submerged by the incoming tide. After a few minutes taking as many pictures as possible we boarded the coach for the short ride to Eli Creek where we could cool off and have afternoon tea, juice and muffins! It was a popular spot with lots of people playing Frisbee and sunbathing. We waded against the surprising strong current up the creek and then strolled back down which was a lot easier. The water was cool and refreshing and waist deep in some places.
We finally got back on the coach after lying in the sun for a bit which took us back the ferry for a 4.30 departure. Unbeknown to us (until the next morning) we where being attacked by lots of little sandflies which love the mangroves around this side of the island. They are beastly little things that throw up,
poo and wee on you, which must be pretty strong stuff because it causes a red rash or little blisters the next day!
The next morning we got picked up at the campsite by our whale watching boat skipper at 6.55am. It was a beautiful morning and the sea was like glass as we boarded the Blue Dolphin catamaran for a day at sea trying to spot the migrating humpback whales. The boat was very modern and immaculate; the skipper Peter was very knowledgeable about the marine life and our hostess very friendly and welcoming. We settled at the front of the boat, stretched out in the sun with the other people on board (only 7 in total) eyes peeled for the first view of the whales.
It didn't take long before we spotted the first pod consisting of a mother and baby calf. They where just resting at the surface so we moved on to try and find a livelier pod. In total we saw several pods all at different distances. Unfortunately the timing was against us and each time a whale jumped out of the water playing we where about 800 meters away. By the time
we reached the active pod it would calm down, although we did see several whales playing we didn't get to see a breach up close and personal. We did however come up to a resting pod; Peter cut the engine so we could just float along and watch the whales. The currents pushed the dozing whales towards us who seemed completely oblivious to the boat. The calf didn't notice us until the boat gently touched its tail and then with a big splash and a few powerful flicks of their tails the whales disappeared into the deep.
After a wonderful day we began heading back to the mainland along the stunning Fraser Island. We weren't expecting to see anything else that day so where just sunning on the deck while our hostess prepared afternoon tea. Then suddenly Peter spotted some splashing in the distance which he thought was a calf playing as we got closer though it became clear that it was actually a 10ft tiger shark thrashing about feasting on a dead sea turtle. Everyone got very excited at the sighting and the shark must have picked up on the shouting, laughing and jumping as it left the
The coloured sands.
Apparently there are 37 different colours, I can only see 2!! turtle alone and came to investigate the boat!! The shark came up very close and shallow, circling the boat!! The boat is very close to the water to make for a better whale watching experience which makes it very nerve-racking when it's a shark but everyone loved it. Once he had decided not to eat us he went back to the turtle, taking a good bite and shaking his head from side to side, he was so close we could see his eye's roll over from black to white. It was awesome!!! We had to tear ourselves away from watching him as it was getting dark but everyone talked excitedly all the way back about our fabulous shark encounter!
There are 3 videos on this blog, the whale one may take a while to load but it is worth it, a must watch!!
From here we are heading down to Noosa via Rainbow beach and then on to the home of Steve 'Crikey' Irwin - Australia Zoo.
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