Australia - Part 6 (Sydney to Brisbane)

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Our final road trip in Australia, Brisbane to Fraser Island, is over and 2010 is already speeding by as quickly as 2009!

After driving through the rain for six hours on the way up to Hervey Bay the prospect of camping for two nights on the 75mile long sand island was not very appealing; especially when the weather forecast for the next three days predicted lightning storms. Being British we thought what the heck and went anyway which was a good decision as the forecast was completely wrong. Armed with plenty of BBQ food, beer and goon (4 litre bag of wine), our group of six, including Beccy’s sister Emily and partner Marc, set off for our stay on the island.

Fraser Island, 5km of the East Coast, is unique as despite being in effect a huge sand castle, it has several different ecosystems including a rainforest, freshwater lakes, desert like sand dunes and is surrounded by a rocky coast. The only way to get about on the island is in a 4x4 and drive around the maze of bumpy tracks and along the coast line when the tide allows. Swimming in the sea is out as if you don’t get stung by jelly fish, the tide will catapult you in the direction of New Zealand assuming the sharks don’t get you first. Scientists have calculated that there is 70% chance of being attacked by a shark, Great White, Tiger or Bull shark, if you venture in.

Luckily Lake McKenzie’s white beaches and crystal clear water was safe to swim in and quickly became our favourite place on the island. Other highlights include the Champagne Pools (basically big rock pools which you can swim in), Eli Creek (a freshwater creek which you can float down to the beach), Indian Head (a great viewpoint to spot Tiger sharks and other marine life) and Lake Wabby (another large freshwater lake which we went for a dip in). The threat of rain meant we were “promoted” to camping at the Aboriginal site on the island who, unlike anyone else, are allowed fires, meaning our evenings were passed sat round a campfire consuming our supplies (AKA beer and goon) and attempting to play the didgeridoo (badly).

Before our weekend on Fraser Island we travelled 1,000km up the East Coast from Sydney to Brisbane along with Emily, Marc and Beccy’s stunt double, her sister Sarah. The weather wasn’t in our favour (can’t complain too much compared to the UK) but we did get a few days on the beach and caught a few waves (I’ll never make a surfer). We stopped off at Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise. We also ended up having a bit of a cooking competition after what started with a bit of banter ended up us playing Come Dine with Me. Beccy won (I married the right sister) and I came joint last (no surprise there). We also caught up with Andy (one of my best men) and his partner Kim and seemed to have a repeat stag do at Coffs Harbour. It’s the first time I’ve shared a room in the whole holiday and boy did the people sharing me with regret it. So here is the written apology - sorry guys for ruining your night’s sleep.

All the Wynne’s have departed now and we had a last family meal at Beccy’s cousins Joe, Bill and his wife Michelle’s at the latter’s house in Caboolture (a small town North of Brisbane). No surprise that we had big barbecue and everyone, apart from Emily and Marc, flew back the next day for the ski season in England. We also managed a flying visit yesterday to see Alice (Joe and Bill’s little sister) and Sean’s new flat in Brisbane and had a great group meal with my friends Amy and Dan.

We have three weeks left in New Zealand and then five days in Fiji before heading home.

All the best,

Andy & Beccy

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Photos

Fraser Island
Relaxing in Lake McKenzie

Fraser Island
The Champagne Pools that were good for a quick dip

Dolphin Marine Magic
Most of the marine animals here are rescued from the wild (not suitable for return) and are used to educate kids (and us)

Dolphin Marine Magic
Beccy receiving a kiss from a dolphin rescued 39 years ago

Port Macquarie Rainforest
Andy, Emily & Sarah in the rain forest near Port Macquarie

Koala Hospital
The Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie is the world's first hospital dedicated solely to the care and preservation of koalas

Fraser Island
The view from Indian Head where you can spot Tiger Sharks, sting rays and dolphins

Fraser Island
A landmark on 75 Mile Beach in Fraser Island is the shipwreck of the Maheno. Maheno was originally built in 1905 in Scotland as a luxury passenger ship for trans-Tasman crossings. 1935 the ship was being towed from Melbourne to Japan for scrap metal when it was caught in a strong cyclone and washed ashore

Comments

[alan]

great blog
hi another great blog - you certainly are getting around! Now have a great finale to your fantastic holiday!

[KL]

tan!
AB- you actually look brown!

[Jon Davis]

Mate, I would love to be travelling the world, looks fantastic. Either you have a filter on your camera or you still haven't got a tan,.

[A.J.]

Fraser Island
Your Fraser trip sounded exactly like mine. It is an amazing place. Did everyone get to drive on the island? There were a couple of people that drove and I thought I was going to die a couple of times. Lake McKenzie was by far my favorite part of Fraser. I hope you are enjoying your travel. I look forward to your next post. A.J.

[dylan]

you only live once ......fraser island
great blog mate,going there on saturday for 4 days cant wait to go for a swim and do some fishing on the beach,I read your blog about being scared to go swimming in the surf because of the sharks and jelly fish, you dont have to worry about the sharks because the crocodiles ate them all... ha ha , im just kidding .... its my birthday today and im 11, ive been going to fraser now for 5 years now with mum, dad and my brother Josh and we always go swimming at the beach because we love it and never had trouble with [SHARKS] next time you get the chance to go dip your feet in and go for it, you only live once and as for the jellyfish they are only bluebottles, dont worry about them.hope you had a great time. ps.look out for jaws.