Fraser Island 2012

[GuyG]

The trip leader didn't quite make the starting point but did catch up before the Noosa River Ferry at Tewantin.:o

In brief:

The group site worked well once we sorted/found the key and advised the Rangers we had booked in. Great group. Excellent weather - first night was a tad chilly. Only a small amount of rain one morning. Clear skies. Nice fires - fire ring at camp ground - once we got some wood. Saw plenty of wildlife - dingoes, sharks, whales, dolphins, birds etc. Covered the full length of the island. Don't want to think about how much fuel was used but I covered 580miles. Only one fish that was caught was big enough to keep and was tasty. Didn't see many people catching fish. Everyone drove well. Toyotas are not unbreakable. Some drivers are twits. Tour operators in general don't like having to reverse and get off the inland tracks when confronted with a convoy of 9 cars. The sand dune at Waddy is extremely steep. Didn't want to leave - which is a sign of a good holiday. Double Island Point is a lovely spot for lunch on the way home.

Plenty of pics were taken and some videos.

Will complete detailed trip report later in the week.

Good news - Jess managed to get home in time for the Netball finals and their team won - congratulations

[Timj]

Yep, great trip again. I've been to Fraser so many times now, once a year for about the last 17 years I think, and yet it is still different every time. The Maheno gets less and less every year but still attracts the crowds. I don't know what Guy is talking about though, I caught two fish, they were at least 10cm long, probably would have had a bite or two on them :).

Some photos -

The coloured sands between DI and Rainbow on the way up.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/707.jpg

How to camp in a SWB Series 3, the front part of the bed is removable so the seats are usable when not using the bed.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/708.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/709.jpg

This is why you don't swim in the surf on Fraser, just north of Orchid Beach.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/710.jpg

Landrovers in their right element while we were taking photos of that shark.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/711.jpg

The northenmost point on Fraser looking to the west.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/712.jpg

Ocean Lake which is one of the brown lakes just north of Orchid Beach.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/713.jpg

Fishing at sunset on the beach in front of the campground.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/714.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/715.jpg

The Maheno wreck.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/716.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/717.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/718.jpg

Plane landing on the beach.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/719.jpg

Dingo at Central Station.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/720.jpg

Then we found out what it had been up to just before.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/721.jpg

Climbing Indian Head.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/722.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/723.jpg

View to the south.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/724.jpg

View to the north, Waddy Point is the furthest point.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/725.jpg

Looking down, people actually get around to these rocks to fish.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/726.jpg

A whale off the point.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/727.jpg

The Maheno again, on the way home.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/728.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/729.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/730.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/731.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/732.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/733.jpg

Dingos at Eli Creek, they had just chased a large goanna into the creek but lost it under the water.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/734.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/735.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/736.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/737.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/738.jpg

We actually rescued the goanna that they had chased into the creek because it was sitting on the bottom acting like a stick right where cars were going to be driving through.

Sea Eagle.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/739.jpg

And that's it, they are probably the best of my photos. Didn't take any of some of the places we went as I have lots from other trips.

Thanks for leading Guy and thanks to everyone else for making it a great trip. Good company makes it fun.

Cheers,

Tim.

[WhiteD3]

Thanks for another great trip Guy.

As per last year the trip up to Sandy Cape was the high point. Such a great place, scenery, etc. The climb to the lighthouse was bad enough on my old legs but then Matt dared me to climb that damned dune...........a near death experience but I was glad to have got up there. Great views.

The camp itself was good and IMHO the best spot we've tried to date.

Andy (on his learner's) did about 10 hours driving. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement to Andy; he really appreciated it but was a bit embarrassed too. He was not happy about getting stuck at the north entrance to the Ngkala bypass but the exit at Orchid Beach (1st attempt failed, 2nd met a car and had to reverse back, 3rd was successful) made up for that.

Here's some pics.

I think this is the northern entrance to the Ngkala rocks bypass.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/689.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/690.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/691.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/692.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/693.jpg

The crew at Sandy Cape
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/694.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/695.jpg

Grimace on top of the dunes, Sandy Cape
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/696.jpg

Tony & Guy
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/697.jpg


Tony & Jason's daughter (Yes, I'm hopeless with names!)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/698.jpg

The crew at the Maheno
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/699.jpg

Guy with Jason's pet Dingo at Central Station
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/700.jpg

Andy at the wheel on the way back from Sandy Cape.
Andy driving Fraser Is part 1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs_schgjbJw&feature=youtu.be)

[tonic]

Well, great trip, great group, great sights, great guiding thanks Guy. Having someone who knows there way around the island as well as Guy made the trip very relaxing for the Browns. The only thing we had to concentrate on was the driving and looking at the scenery.

The driving was great with a few little challengers at some bypasses which we all handled well including the learners in the group, not one recovery required for the whole 5 days. I can report that Prado drivers can hold you up for ½ an hour though, take it from here Guy.

I was also forced by a Cruiser driver to veer left in soft sand going down hill as he decided there was room for him to come up past me at a one car spot, the ruts had us heading at each other with the resulting maneuvers costing us momentum and we both got stuck. I reversed up and got around him. He remained stuck and I hope he is still there. Must be something about Toyota drivers.

The camp site is great and well located to be able to get to all the sights on day trips as Guy proved each day. The facilities were also tops with great hot showers and washing up areas for those traveling light.

The group site is the way to go but I have been told this requires much more organising with exact numbers required at booking time, I for one would hate to see us lose this so if you want to go next year, please get in early to help the organizers.

The barge wait

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52273&stc=1&d=1350453884

On our way

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52278&stc=1&d=1350454634

Catching bait

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52281&stc=1&d=1350456395

What a day

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52282&stc=1&d=1350456605

Entering Rainbow Beach

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52283&stc=1&d=1350456916

Coloured sands

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52284&stc=1&d=1350457172

On to Fraser

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52285&stc=1&d=1350457582

Heading to camp

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52286&stc=1&d=1350457834

Orchid Beach here we come, this is what most of the inner tracks look like with only the odd soft spot to watch out for.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52287&stc=1&d=1350458170

A bypass off the beach, this one was on the way home and very easy.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52288&stc=1&d=1350458487

Sandy Cape

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52289&stc=1&d=1350458756

Come on dad, lets go to the lighthouse

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52290&stc=1&d=1350459049

And we made it

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52291&stc=1&d=1350459768

Champaign pools, and I still don’t know how you can get those fish home Grimace, big ideas happening in the background.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52292&stc=1&d=1350459987

Eli Creek

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52293&stc=1&d=1350460320

Heading home, Tim met a new friend on that barge

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52294&stc=1&d=1350460553

The end

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/681.jpg

[Presto]

Can't wait to see the pics Tony!! :) ...looks like your links are broken! :(

[tonic]

Can't wait to see the pics Tony!! :) ...looks like your links are broken! :(

Might have to get Josh round to show me how to do it properly, just took me 1/2 an hour to get them up. I can see them on my own post. I dont know how to make them smaller in kb, that is probably the problem.

[Ralph1Malph]

One of our best trips so far!
Thanks to all for the excellent camping, driving and company:D.
We'll definately be back next year as the last time I was on the island was over 20 years ago:o and don't want to wait that long again.
Highlights for the Smiths included Sandy Cape and Eli Creek.
Special thanks to GuyG and Grimace for all their efforts and the rest of the crew for superb company.
On a personal note, my boys had a particularly good time after not being so keen initially.

Photos to come once I go through them and weed out the poor ones and duplicates.

Ralph

[djhampson]

Looks like a great trip guys!

And how lucky is Andy to learn to drive in a D4 on Fraser!

[Grimace]

And how lucky is Andy to learn to drive in a D4 on Fraser!

As TimJ pointed out... the best highway in the world...

The drive to the sandy cape is IMHO one of the best Australia can provide.
Not challenging but such a cruise.
Andy got to do this on his Learners :cool:

I have some photos and videos on the camera, nothing as fancy as the current lot.
Not had a chance to get them onto the PC as yet. Will attempt to have some uploaded tonight.

[Timj]

Well I just worked out my fuel consumption, 17.7 l/100 over the whole trip. A bit disappointed with that as I got 12.5 l/100 on the way up to Rainbow on the Friday. Amazing how much difference slogging through soft sand and sitting on 110kph on he way back makes.

Cheers,

Tim.

[GuyG]

I'm too scared to work out mine, I've just seen the credit card statement so know what I spent and I have to fill up shortly for this weekend:eek:.

Will get to the detailed report next week as I am heading off camping again now:)

[Ralph1Malph]

Thanks Tonic,
I just worked mine out, out of interest.
Give or take a little as I rounded: from Caboolture BP to Caboolture BP we used 80L plus a 20L top up at Kingfisher - 100L. Trip meter said 675 km so 6.75 KM/L and 14.8 L/100.
I am happy to call that 15L/100 as I can't remember when I reset the trip meter.

This is better than I thought, what with my dodgy tranny and all , but is consistent with my city consumption so not bad.

Ralph

[Timj]

I travelled 941km from BP Morayfield to Mt Gravatt so one of us is not reading right on the odometer :). We both went to the same places so the distance travelled should be closer than that, maybe you are actually getting better than you think. It's about 60km from here to the BP so 880km for the trip from BP back to BP. I used 166 litres of unleaded for the trip.

Cheers,

Tim.

[Ralph1Malph]

I travelled 941km from BP Morayfield to Mt Gravatt so one of us is not reading right on the odometer :). We both went to the same places so the distance travelled should be closer than that, maybe you are actually getting better than you think. It's about 60km from here to the BP so 880km for the trip from BP back to BP. I used 166 litres of unleaded for the trip.

Cheers,

Tim.

You may be right:p. We left monday so subtract however many KM you guys did on monday but as I said, I may have the trip meter wrong as I can't remember exactly where I reset it and I forget the 20L top up at Rainbow Beach so all in all, my calcs are not worth a cracker. I should have paid better attention! 130L for 800 is maybe closer. That's 16L/100 or 6.15 km/L.

Cheers
Ralph

[tonic]

Try again

Barg wait

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52407&stc=1&d=1350701018

On our way

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/545.jpg

Catching Bait

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/546.jpg

What a day
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/547.jpg

Entering Rainbow Beach

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/548.jpg

[manchild21000]

Thanks for everyone for great company and trip .Thank you for the fantastic tour of the island Guy ,really enjoyable . I tried to post pics but it seems my photobucket account have been compromised and the laptop crashes while im uploading . :(
George

[Presto]

Thanks for everyone for great company and trip .Thank you for the fantastic tour of the island Guy ,really enjoyable . I tried to post pics but it seems my photobucket account have been compromised and the laptop crashes while im uploading . :(
George

That happens when you don't drive a Land Rover on a GCLRO trip! :p

[manchild21000]

That happens when you don't drive a Land Rover on a GCLRO trip! :p
At least i was there :twisted:

[tonic]

Just for George

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/524.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/525.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/526.jpg

[Shepp]

Great photos. Thanks all.

[Grimace]

Well wasn't really a photo filled trip for me. Having Fry onboard does shift the principles of time a little. But here are a couple more snaps from me.


Airing down and all lined up for the Tewantin ferry;
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/4493/img5977medium.jpg


Tonys ride on the beach;
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6571/img5985medium.jpg


First stop, Pipis!!!
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/301/img5986medium.jpg


Obligatory TimJ Shot :D;
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5758/img5996medium.jpg


Water looks good at Rainbow :cool:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/255/img6002medium.jpg


Fluffy still got a saggy bum;
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1019/img6006medium.jpg


On the ferry heading to our destination;
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/213/img6009medium.jpg


Fraser Island here we come!!!
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/956/img6012medium.jpg


First bit of wildlife, Fernando the Dirty Dingo!
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/3225/img6032medium.jpg


Next up, Ronaldo the Surfing Shark!
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/6389/img6051medium.jpg


New and old... Ugly and Beauty (left to right of course);
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7781/img6061medium.jpg


Heading up to the sandy cape. EXCITING!!!
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1938/img6065medium.jpg


Third on the wildlife agenda, Horaldo the Crusty Crab!
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4726/img6066medium.jpg


The vehicles at the cape;
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/1286/img6067medium.jpg


Jess and Frys first ever adventure to this part of the island, water looks fantastic;
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/961/img6069medium.jpg


Lets not forget it was also Fluffys first ever adventure to this part of the island, On the beach out the front of the lighthouse;
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/


A spot of fishing;
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5697/img6080medium.jpg


A bite to eat under Guys trusty shade;
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/7153/img6084medium.jpg


Heading back south today, the Maheno;
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6779/img6090medium.jpg


Another vehicle shot of the cars up the soft sand at the Maheno;
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8089/img6110medium.jpg


Camera was retired for a bit now as these lot of photos are from our return journey homeward bound


Guy in Eli creek :wasntme:;
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6339/img6179medium.jpg


Attention JohnR, this is the only Nikon camera I saw on the island!!!
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1396/img6189medium.jpg


More wildlife, Waldo the Elongated Eel;
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6096/img6199medium.jpg


Packed up, heading home, unfortunately :( ;
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/5163/img6214medium.jpg


Last shot I took on the Island;
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5496/img6232medium.jpg

[Timj]

I knew there was a photo I had forgotten to put up. Doh! :p

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/383.jpg

[GuyG]

I'm getting to it (the report that is), but first fuel consumption:

Average was 25.61 L/100km - best was first morning @ 20.76 and worst included the slog through the soft sand south of Indian Head back to camp on the Saturday @ 34.35 with the trip home not far behind, but I think that may have been made worst by the handbrake starting to play up ie stick. The others were all in the low 20's/100km.

Distance covered for me was 930km, using 237L of mixed octance unleaded.

Pricing wise, Kingfisher Resort was the best priced on the Island @ 1.90/L with Eurong and Orchid Beach both around the $2.07/L

[Shepp]

Love the Nikon photo. :D

[manchild21000]

Nikons rule :D

[Grimace]

Well finally got the balls to work out my fuel consumption...

272L total usage at a total cost of $496.82 :(
995km all up (on my ODO so could be well out?), so overall average of 27.3L/100km
116L (511km) used travelling to and from the island
156L (484km) used on the island :eek:

21.9L / 100km On the drive up with a speed of approx 95km/h
32.2L / 100km average on the island
23.3L / 100km return highway at a speed of approx 110km/h

[Ralph1Malph]

Well finally got the balls to work out my fuel consumption...

272L total usage at a total cost of $496.82 :(
995km all up (on my ODO so could be well out?), so overall average of 27.3L/100km
116L (511km) used travelling to and from the island
156L (484km) used on the island :eek:

21.9L / 100km On the drive up with a speed of approx 95km/h
32.2L / 100km average on the island
23.3L / 100km return highway at a speed of approx 110km/h

Lordy Me!
But don't ya love the V8 throaty roar...I do!:D

Ralph

[tonic]

Had not thought about fuel but if I do a quick think about it

29L to Rainbow Beach
28L top up at Orchid Beach
40L from gerry cans
15L top up at Teewantin so could use air
say 30L home based on travel to Rainbow Beach, still have not filled up and have been around town a bit, not my daily drive, still showing over 1/4.

Total 142L

As I live over the Highway from Grimace, assume 1,000km

So 14.2L/100 give or take.

Lots of guess work here.

[tonic]

Slight correction on last post, went to dentist this afternoon, the gauge is still over half.