Jul 19
Fraser Island
From Kroombit we took off yet again like two gypsies reaching Hervey Bay where the following day we were picked up for our Fraser Island tour. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and rests off the coast of Rainbow Beach. Our 5 ton vehicle road the ferry to the island and once onshore took off on the open sand. Although there is no road on the 75 Mile Beach on the east coast of the island, vehicles swerve around waves in their own two lanes. It felt like being in a giant enclosed four wheeler as we raced on in the open.
As we drove along we were notified that it is whale season and it seemed that no sooner had these words left our driver Sarah’s lips then we were stopped watching a giant black beast break the surface of the water. It was amazing watching huge puffs of mist go off as the back of the whale would pop up gliding along the beach with us. We moved on as we were told we’d get a better view later.
Our first stop was a walk to Lake Wobby. The group took a small path that opened onto a massive sand dune. The light tan sand gave our legs a workout as we climbed upwards. Claire occasionally turned around and said something but all I could hear was the wind rushing past so I just smiled and nodded J Just as I began to feel like we were in one of those movies where the characters are stranded in the desert walking for miles, we were suddenly standing over a huge green lake. We walked down the steep sand hill and dipped our toes. The huge, green trees and bushes around the lake swayed lazily in the breeze, their leaves rustling, while black fish swam around our feet.
The second destination of the day was just as cool. Indian Head was a cliff we climbed that looked out over the clear blue water. In the distance we saw whales breaking the surface yet again and directly below we saw black sting rays and schools of fish who turned silver as the light hit. We even saw sharks which were the main reason we were not allowed to swim at all in the ocean. The population of tiger sharks is the biggest around due to the fish supply and breeding grounds around the little island.
Before the sun set we also stopped at the ship wreck of the Mohina. Only the rusted bones of long ship remained and took a beating from the tide. Barnicles clung to the sides and a large bird sat at the top picking at some dead animal. The whole thing seemed out of place. The next stop was more fun. It was called Eli Creek and was a perfectly clear and perfectly cold stream that bled out into the ocean. Claire and I both agreed it would be the perfect place to bring inner tubes and a cooler as we walked past gray fish.
Our night stay was at a hostel/resort which had a fence around the premise to keep the many dingoes out. Pretty ironic considering as we were going past the front gate a dingo walked through the parking lot casually as though he was just heading to the bar or something. Claire and I talked to two very gullible and ignorant boys who thought all Americans acted like the actors on “The O.C.” We excused ourselves by heading to the beach where the giant full moon cast a glow on the waves.
The second day on Fraser Island was spent taking a hike in the morning and resting on the white banks of Lake Mackenzie. It was perfect as I swam in the clear chilly water and then rested on the beach which is perfect for cleaning your jewelry as the sand is made of a kind of quartz. On our way back we saw a swamp wallaby sitting at the water’s edge. It quickly jumped in the waves and we all let out a hysterically gasp. Our tour guide assured us it could swim and we watched as it swam down from us.
Well that’s all I have for now . . .
Thanks for reading J
Miranda