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Arrival into Rainbow Beach was fairly depressing and my first day proved fairly uneventful, I got some groceries in, caught up with sleep and we had a briefing for the only thing to do in Rainbow - Fraser Island! For those of you that don't know, it is the worlds largest sand island, formed by the deposition from the EAC (Jelly Dude - Finding Nemo, watch it!) heading North from Sydney. The plan of action was a self guided 4x4 tour of the island and a sampling of its pristine lakes. The briefing was centred around safety both driving on the sand and avoiding the wild dingoes!
Formalities done, I grabbed an early night ready for an early morning. I was in a group with a Scot, a Canadian, two Irish and three Germans. We packed up our 4x4, had a quick brieifing on the cars and we were off on our adventure. I began the driving on account of being the only one experienced in driving a manual left hand drive!! Our convoy of 6 cars head down to the beach where we boarded a ferry which was to carry us over the narrow stretch of water which seperated the island from the mainland. The EAC (Eastern Austrlian Current), also known as the Sushi Train brought swathes of fish to the area surrounding the island making sharks very prominent!
Onto the island, we cruised along the coast up to a lookout point known as Indian Head. Aaron, our on board Canadian wanted to try his hand at driving to see if he had the skills to drive which he did but unfortunately he totally forgot the rules regarding not driving on soft sand! As you may well imagine, driving a hefty great four wheel drive into soft sand is a recipe for disaster...as a result we were stranded in the sand for the best part of 40 minutes, only rescued by some passing Germans! Back to Indian Head and it was time to leave due to the encroaching tides, not happy I didn't get the chance to climb the headland, I got a glass of Goon and passengered to the campsite. With German number one, Michael behind the wheel. At the campsite, Kristin - the Scot and I pitched our tent and accompanied by the Irish, Clodagh and Carrie-Ann we head of in search of a creek. Retardedly, we assumed the creek would be up a sand dune so unsurprisingly we never made it for a swim!
As darkness fell, we made dinner - steak was order of the day...result! The group began drinking and not long after our campsite was overrun with 48 drunken fools! As the night wore on, tiredness took over and I hit the hay/sand which I can tell you is less than comfortable!
The next morning was a hideous start to the day, my Goon hangover was savage but as soon as the sun came up, sleep was impossible! With everyone feeling worse for wear, we packed up camp and set off for Lake McKenzie. The road leading up to the lake which you would vaguely described as a dirt track was fairly unforgiving on those with a weak stomach and claimed many casualties who failed to hold down breakfast! The lake was absolutely beautiful and the water was incredible, the sun came out and I was set until Germans two and three began, what they proved was the only thing they were good at, whinging! Complaints ignored, we set off for campsite number two. Dinner was chicken stir fry cooked by our Canadian, drinking again ensued!
At some point in the evening our passeneger door decided to swallow its window which with wild dingoes around was slightly problematic! We spent a good while trying to dingo-proof our car which whilst slightly inebriated was a greater challenge than you would think, we did however manage it much to our pleasure! The evening was lovely and relaxed and we all sat on the beach chatting. Bed beckoned apparently ridiculously early but without humanity time has no relevance!
Our final day on Fraser started early again and we set off for Lake Wabby. It lacked the horrendous drive of Lake McKenzie but had it's very own mamoth walk to get there. The lake was at the foot of a huge sand dune and had a murky green tinge, couple with the huge catfish it wasn't all too appealing but I did take a dip. Apparently the green came from tea tree leeching from the trees into the water so swimming was really good for your skin! As time slipped by, it was time to head back to the ferry and make our way home. Back in town we filled up the car with $53.70 worth of fuel, took them back to the garage, cleaned them up and back to the hostel.
The day was rounded off with fish and chips and an excursion to the beach and finally bed. Despite an extensive shower I still had sand in every hole imaginable and the room was swamped in the stuff! Many peoples cameras fell victim to the sand and my iPod headphones developed an annoying rattle!
The rest of my time in Rainbow Beach was fairly uneventful. I just awaited my bus down to my first big city, Brisbane. I had an amazing time on Fraser Island, I met some fantastic people and dealt with my hatred of camping whilst also seeing some breathe taking natural sights!
Formalities done, I grabbed an early night ready for an early morning. I was in a group with a Scot, a Canadian, two Irish and three Germans. We packed up our 4x4, had a quick brieifing on the cars and we were off on our adventure. I began the driving on account of being the only one experienced in driving a manual left hand drive!! Our convoy of 6 cars head down to the beach where we boarded a ferry which was to carry us over the narrow stretch of water which seperated the island from the mainland. The EAC (Eastern Austrlian Current), also known as the Sushi Train brought swathes of fish to the area surrounding the island making sharks very prominent!
Our motley crew!
Onto the island, we cruised along the coast up to a lookout point known as Indian Head. Aaron, our on board Canadian wanted to try his hand at driving to see if he had the skills to drive which he did but unfortunately he totally forgot the rules regarding not driving on soft sand! As you may well imagine, driving a hefty great four wheel drive into soft sand is a recipe for disaster...as a result we were stranded in the sand for the best part of 40 minutes, only rescued by some passing Germans! Back to Indian Head and it was time to leave due to the encroaching tides, not happy I didn't get the chance to climb the headland, I got a glass of Goon and passengered to the campsite. With German number one, Michael behind the wheel. At the campsite, Kristin - the Scot and I pitched our tent and accompanied by the Irish, Clodagh and Carrie-Ann we head of in search of a creek. Retardedly, we assumed the creek would be up a sand dune so unsurprisingly we never made it for a swim!
Clearly posing and driving is safe practice...
As darkness fell, we made dinner - steak was order of the day...result! The group began drinking and not long after our campsite was overrun with 48 drunken fools! As the night wore on, tiredness took over and I hit the hay/sand which I can tell you is less than comfortable!
The mean machine!
My standard beach pose at Lake McKenzie
At some point in the evening our passeneger door decided to swallow its window which with wild dingoes around was slightly problematic! We spent a good while trying to dingo-proof our car which whilst slightly inebriated was a greater challenge than you would think, we did however manage it much to our pleasure! The evening was lovely and relaxed and we all sat on the beach chatting. Bed beckoned apparently ridiculously early but without humanity time has no relevance!
Be dingo safe! On it!
Our final day on Fraser started early again and we set off for Lake Wabby. It lacked the horrendous drive of Lake McKenzie but had it's very own mamoth walk to get there. The lake was at the foot of a huge sand dune and had a murky green tinge, couple with the huge catfish it wasn't all too appealing but I did take a dip. Apparently the green came from tea tree leeching from the trees into the water so swimming was really good for your skin! As time slipped by, it was time to head back to the ferry and make our way home. Back in town we filled up the car with $53.70 worth of fuel, took them back to the garage, cleaned them up and back to the hostel.
Lake Wabby
The day was rounded off with fish and chips and an excursion to the beach and finally bed. Despite an extensive shower I still had sand in every hole imaginable and the room was swamped in the stuff! Many peoples cameras fell victim to the sand and my iPod headphones developed an annoying rattle!
The rest of my time in Rainbow Beach was fairly uneventful. I just awaited my bus down to my first big city, Brisbane. I had an amazing time on Fraser Island, I met some fantastic people and dealt with my hatred of camping whilst also seeing some breathe taking natural sights!
Location:Fraser Island, Australia
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