Thread: 90 in trouble on Fraser Island

We were last there in 2009 with the D3, it has certainly changed since the first time I was there in a mate's petrol GQ patrol in about 1983. Last time we were able to drive to the top but missed the tide to allow us to safely drive around to the lighthouse. My Grandfather was the master of the Maheno before it was decommissioned and broke adrift whilst being towed for scrapping so I've got a soft spot for Fraser.

Regards,
Tote

My first trip to Fraser was in 1970 when Gordon Elmer started running the barge from Inskip Point. However, my father went across in a Series II 109 SW in 1969 before the barge was operating - drove the Landy onto a fishing boat, with front and rear hanging over each side and needing to wait for the tide before loading and unloading.
He was a keen fisherman and went to great lengths to get to some places.

Originally Posted by Xtreme

My first trip to Fraser was in 1970 when Gordon Elmer st0arted running the barge from Inskip Point. However, my father went across in a Series II 109 SW in 1969 before the barge was operating - drove the Landy onto a fishing boat, with front and rear hanging over each side and needing to wait for the tide before loading and unloading.
He was a keen fisherman and went to great lengths to get to some places.

I remember that barge well,i am pretty sure it was operating in '69.

During the cyclone and king tides of '74,it was only that Gordon saw the lights of the S1,and we were good customers, that he waited for us.The tide was rising,
we were late,many of the old wooden bridges on the inland tracks had collapsed,and we had to drive around them.That was fun and games,particularly as we were towing a trailer.The weather was very bad,we had to drive through the sea which was around a meter deep,to get onto the barge.The vehicle and trailer were then roped down.
Then just as we got off the barge onto the beach at Inskip pt,the generator light came on.Got home to Brisbane without the generator charging.Spent half the trip pulling leeches off us....

That was the most eventful return of all the trips we did up there.I could actually write a book about all the trips if I had time.The drowning of a brand new company LWB S111 in Ellie creek was another.Trips up to the tip were another,they certainly gave that capstan winch and the long handled shovel a workout.

One thing we worked out very quickly was the old S1 was way better in the sand than the company's LWB series threes.

Originally Posted by D90 orkney

This is the part that interests me the most. I want to head to the top. Are you allowed by vehicle up there? How dangerous is it? Ok to do solo?

We will be camping near the ship wreck. Wahba camp site

You'd be nuts to do it solo. There are some sections that have been opened. Talk to the Rangers and see what you can get out of them. If they think you are in any way gung ho you'll get nothing.
The main danger up there is that the sand on the west side is like quick sans and what you might expect to be hard, is often like souffle. Many vehicles have been hopelessly bogged then swallowed by the rising tide.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

You'd be nuts to do it solo. There are some sections that have been opened. Talk to the Rangers and see what you can get out of them. If they think you are in any way gung ho you'll get nothing.
The main danger up there is that the sand on the west side is like quick sans and what you might expect to be hard, is often like souffle. Many vehicles have been hopelessly bogged then swallowed by the rising tide.

So sandy cape you don't suggest on your own or getting to the tip. Not really concerned about the west side. Would love to get to the top.

If it's too dangerous then no chance il do it solo. I have zero experience on sand

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Yes









I know mine doesn't run off compliments and the occasional car-wash. It drinks diesel. Out of a tank. In the back.

Ok Ta. I thought the 90 still had a tank under the driver seat.

Originally Posted by D90 orkney

So sandy cape you don't suggest on your own or getting to the tip. Not really concerned about the west side. Would love to get to the top.

If it's too dangerous then no chance il do it solo. I have zero experience on sand

Sandy Cape is fine. You'll get experience quick enough. There will be enough people to lend a hand if you get into trouble. Keep your tyre pressure less than 15 PSI and you be OK. It's when you get past Sandy Cape that you need company especially company that know the area.

Originally Posted by D90 orkney

So sandy cape you don't suggest on your own or getting to the tip. Not really concerned about the west side. Would love to get to the top.

If it's too dangerous then no chance il do it solo. I have zero experience on sand

I did the tip about 7 years ago now with 235/85/16 tyres, dieselgas and a 2 inch lift. I also had lockers but didnt need them.

The biggest problem we had was other people getting stuck without letting their tyres down. Pretty sure we came across aomeone in a triton and the conversation went like this:

Me: you look a little stuck.
Triton: yeah can you pull me out?
Me: what pressure are you tyres at?
Triton: i dunno, 32 psi
Me: there ya go, let them down to 14psi and you'll be laughing!
Triton: nah i cant be bothered
Me: OK then. See ya!

He just kept hacking at it and we drove around him. Saw him later in the day and made sure we were in front of him when we came to a single lane track.

It gets a bit softer towards the tip, but we did it (with other cars) without need for recoveries, or really any effort. I drove through one section thinking "this is soft sand!" Only to realise my handbrake was partly on! We didnt head west though. Heard that was much harder.

That was 7 years ago now so the tracks are probably a bit different. I wouldnt say you're nuts trying to get to the tip by yourself but if you get stuck you're unlikely to find help nearby!

Cheers

Dan