Ok, so after chilling out for a few days in Hervey Bay we were more than ready for our Fraser adventure. We got to Rainbow Beach early where as part of our trips package we got two nights free stay at a place called Dingo's. When we arrived we had to wait around for a while to check in but once in our new 7 bed dorm we quickly made friends with a nice English girl and two extremely funny German guys.
With intermittent rain clouding the sky's we were forced to check out the beach quickly, unpacking towels and applying sun lotion before packing it all back up again within minutes. Having said that the beach itself for the few minutes we did see its beauty was amazing. Gold sand, lovely scenery and some ice blue clear waters. Believe me they were cold! Coupling this with a browsing of the local shops and a stint at the hostel bar, it pretty much ended our day here before we took the free hostel trip up to the sand dunes that were a little out of town. Slightly hesitant to go at first with fear of more rain, we were glad we went as not only did the sun come out for an amazing sunset but those foot sinking sand dunes were ever so much fun. We had a great night running up and down, rolling round and even caught a glimpse of some guys doing sand boarding. Great times. Back to the hostel for dinner, a beer a piece and some much needed banter before sleep with our new room mates as we prepared for the experience that lay ahead the next day.
Getting up early we were surprised to still see all of our 'Self Drive' tour friends still making the last adjustments to their vehicles before setting of to the Island. We on the other hand could take a little more time getting ready before being picked up for our 'Driven' tour half an hour later. In the end it was definitely something we were glad we paid that little bit extra for.
Ok so what picked us up could only be described as a 4x4 bus truck thing that was so high off the ground it felt like we were flying. The tour guide was awesome and she quickly made everyone at ease by playing some games on the way to the ferry where everybody got to know each other. It was here we found a really friendly couple with whom we had a lot in common called Jim and Laura. They were English.
As we drove up to board our ferry we not only saw one but all of our friends from Dingo's in several different groups struggle to drive on the sand. It was highly amusing seeing them try to push their vehicles big wheels from the ever clutching sand. Ha, something I'm glad we never had to do!
Safely across the sea and onto the Island known by the local Aboriginals as 'K'Gari', meaning paradise, we soon saw what was lying in wait for the rest of the days trip. We hammered it up 75 mile beach aiming to get to our designated Forest walk before lunch so we could get on up to Lake McKenzie in the afternoon. The walk itself was quite nice seeing some great wildlife and taking in the scenery but it was definitely needed after the amount of food we were forced to eat!
With the terrain ever so bumpy and hard to conquer we were glad for the first time, not the last, during the journey that we as paying tourists didn't have to drive. It looked so dangerous and just seeing the cars in front, beside and behind us driven by amateurs bounce around and stupidly fly past just confirmed this.
Arriving at Lake McKenzie we were met with it's sheer beauty. The clear bluey/turquoise waters were endless and so inviting, the sand was white and the place just reeked of paradise. Not for the first time we have said that on this massive trip round the world eh! We spent around an hour here before heading onto our accommodation for the evening, that's right, no tents here, instead we were sheltered from the impending rain by some lovely if not small apartments. Thank god as it started to rain as soon as we got there and even though an evening of much planned drinking lie ahead, I for one am glad I wouldn't be putting up with Jo moaning that we would be sleeping in a tent in the rain!
A great BBQ was cooked by our fearless leader that could have fed an army and then we proceeded to play cards, drink and literally take the piss out of everyone in the team including a strange Irish couple who didn't drink much?!?!, two Japanese girls whose birthday it was, a rather too horny german couple who couldn't keep their hands off each other, some random Scandinavian girls, Jim, Laura, our guide, me and Jo. It truly was a great night, another infused with far too much goon on all parts, not just mine for a change and one which ended with me, Jo, Jim and Laura tucking into the next days food for a midnight snack. No one would know, surely not!
Up at 6am for breakfast and still no one had noticed the biscuits missing or in Jo's case the chunks of cheese with teeth marks in as she stated quite clearly, "I definitely didn't eat any biscuits', yeah right!!!!! With our stomachs full from another massive meal (I'm not complaining by the way) we got washed and dressed and headed off early doors to make the most of the trip. Throughout both days we sore loads of Dingo's and a couple of Iguana lizards but by far the funniest occurrence was when driving to Indian heads that morning when we saw a dingo stealing from a local fisherman's truck on the beach. It was great. It was like he was saying, you catch the fish, put them in the truck and I'll eat them. Thanks you stupid human.
As we arrived at Indian heads I was amazed by how big it was and Jo bless her was wondering how she would get up there in her flip flops. Well at least hers were in one piece, mine on the other hand were falling to pieces at every opportunity, but hey that another story. Once up there wow were there some amazing views. This was probably one of my favourite points on the Island.
Walking down from the steep steps and sharp rocks, we were met with some quizzical looking faces back at the bus as people were eating the remainders of the biscuits with their tea's and coffee's. It was only then that we all admitted to our leader that it was our fault there wasn't enough cookies to go round and it was soon laughed off and we all climbed back on board heading down to the Pinnacles.
I didn't really enjoy the Pinnacles, thinking that they were nothing special and something I had probably seen before. I mean I can see different coloured sands in Cornwall or on the Isle of Wight, I didn't need to come all the way over here. It also however could have been the reason that I was also desperate for the loo that made me miss out on the point of these landmarks.
On to the Maheno shipwreck and with the knowledge of the story behind it being told, all I could still think about was going for a piss, not how amazing it actually was. Quickly taking some photos and wondering around as my need to go pee slowly disappeared, I felt very privileged being there and viewing the great ship wreckage and learning some much need historical facts.
Finally getting down to Lake Wabby before lunch were I managed to actually find the need to use the facilities I once again felt more relaxed in the knowledge that I hadn't actually wet myself. Believe me, I did come close! Anyway, we were advised to try and float down the Lake but not so sure it would work as nobody else was, me, Jo, Jim and Laura decided it best to wade through, avoiding all the little kids jumping and splashing close by.
Yet more food was served and then the long journey back to the boat, getting across the sea. It was one hell of a journey overland, believe Jo as I was by some miracle asleep through the bumping and crashing of the bus as we had to take a massive detour on an old mining road as the tide had blocked all other routes. I was told at the time it got quite scary but me, well i was probably dreaming of something far more peaceful.
Back on dry land and driven back to the hostel, we really did have a great time, met some nice new people and felt as though we really got our moneys worth. Although we maybe missed out on the experience of driving on sand, I'm glad I didn't have to endure my days hungover behind the wheel and don't think I could handle a group of piss heads shouting directions just like I had to in Bali. Thanks, but no thanks.
So with that all over, we had a few beers sharing our stories with others and headed of for a much needed early night. It was now a case of Fraser Island, Done.
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