We finally managed to leave Bris-vegas, leaving Mum to regain her peace and quiet. We headed straight to Rainbow Beach, the launching pad for Fraser Island. We went via two big things – the Big Pineapple, perhaps Qld’s most famous big thing, and the Big Matilda, the winking kangaroo from the 1982 Commonwealth Games now residing at a petrol station outside Gympie! Much to our horror, the Big Pineapple is has closed down and is now all but a derelict shell of its once grand self!! Photos are on the Big Thing page!!
We arrived there later in the afternoon and decided to overnight on the mainland before heading over. We found a nearby free campground called Poverty Point. Based on the name, we weren’t expecting much, but were delighted to find a perfectly tranquil spot nestled into a calm bay with a lovely outlook for sunset (see photos). It was the best first night to be back in Troops!
The next day we made the crossing to Fraser Is and Troopy was excited that she was in 4WD and not to come out for another four days. After an uneventful ferry crossing we barrelled down the beach (with all the other bogans!) and then headed inland for some exploring. We were intending to do a scenic drive via some of the lakes, but Troops had other ideas and missed the turn off. When we ended up on the western side of the island without seeing any lakes, it was much to our surprise! We’d intended to venture over there at some point, so we had some lunch and a twitch and then pressed on to the campsite at Central Station. The campground was set in amongst the old logging area and was full of really tall Tallowwoods and Kauri Pines.
The next couple of days we spent touring around, checking out the beach, lakes, Eli Creek, the Pinnacles and the Maheno Wreck (see photos). I braved a swim in Eli Creek, which was chilly but crystal clear and really lovely. At a couple of points I had to manoeuvre over some sandbars and got beached az! We spent one more night at Central Station and another at Dundubara, which was set back in the dunes amongst the paperbarks.
Troopy’s 4WD’ing was excellent, apart from a slight bogging when I was trying to drive up a hill and had to pull over into the soft edge to let another car passed. It wasn’t my finest moment, but luckily Luke came to the rescue!
Our nature watching was also really great – our bird list for the island was over 50 species, including some new ones for the master list (highlights being Red Backed Fairy Wren, Scarlet Honeyeater and an Owlet Nightjar that we flushed one morning). We also saw some whales breaching and carrying on a few hundred metres offshore. We had a couple of goanna experiences – one in the campground and one when Troopy nearly squished one. We only spotted one dingo, which was wearing a radio collar. Apparently it’s pupping season at the moment, so we suspect that the dingos were off in the bush away from pesky humans.
Overall, Fraser Is was a great start to the second major leg of our Troopy adventures. We are currently in Bundaberg doing some jobs and drinking ginger beer (we are on alcohol detox from Europe, so that has saved us from the bundy and cokes). Heading further into the deep north tomorrow.
Troopy on the beach at Fraser below and for more photos click here
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