Fraser Island Trip report

[DRanged]

Firstly, what a great 4 days.
Bucketed down rain all the way to Rainbow Beach and then stopped as we got out of the cars. We all grabbed extra supplies and then headed onto the barge. Bolts & Xbox (aka Nana Bolts- will explain later.)
Dranged & family
Navron & Alicia
Stevo68 & kids (aka Charlie a...hole- will explain later.)

Hit the beach at a good mid way tide and headed for the camp site. Good run was had by all other than a couple of wash aways but all arrived at camp in 1 piece. Met Skiboy ( aka Keyboy-ditto) & family at camp, and left them there as we were staying at Cathedral beach cabins. Camp was set up, dinner was had and a couple of drinks was had by all.

Saturday started early with a trip to Eli Creek for a swim and a look. Skiboy & family had left earlier for a dip and as we arrived we were informed that the key to Keiths D1 had been lost in the creek. S..t, well the kids and most of the tourists all pitched in to look, but to no avail. So after a bit of thought we gave Skiboy, now Keyboy, our D2 and we spread our family and belongings amongst Nanas D2 & Charlie a...holes D3. We left them to sort out getting Josh to get the spare key from Brissy, and get it up to the Island before the last Barge?? Good luck!
With our kids and Stevos kids in the D3 it was now the Daddy Daycare D3, but as the day unfolded we were in for some great one liners from the back seats. It all started when our convoy, led by Bolts, was overtaken by a TOUR BUS on the inland tracks, from this point on NANA BOLTS was created. It didn't take long for the lipstick, handbag and Zimmer frame jokes to start flying around. I havn't laughed that good in a long time.

We hit Lake McKenzie, had a swim and toured through some great tracks and headed back to camp. Lucky for Keith an all terrain tilt tray was on the Island, so the D1 was taken back to camp for Josh to bring the spare key up from Brissy.

We all met up the next morning for a run to the Champagne pools, but not before a group photo in front of the "Maheno wreck" was taken and a suitable spot for a club drag race was sorted.

Lined up were Nana Bolts as driver & Xbox---V8 D2 Auto
Dranged & Family Kathryn driving----TD5 D2 Auto
Stevo68 aka Charlie a...hole-----V8 D3 Auto
Navron & Alicia as driver-----D1 300TDI manual

0 to 150mt, Kathryn in the D2 TD5 left them in her wake
150mt to 300mt and beyond, Stevo in the D3 closly followed by Nana in the D2.

The sound of a Rover and a Jag V8 at full noise on either side of you is a great sound.

Off to the pools we go. Before we reached the pools you have to negotiate a deep sand up hill entrance, with strategically placed bogged Toyotas!!! scattered through it.
Nana powered through and past in the V8 D2, then followed by Alicia in the D1 TDI, Kathryn in the D2 TD5, and Stevo in his leopard skin shorts in the D3 V8.
The look on the faces of the big boofy fishos when Kathryn, Alicia and Leopard boy stepped from the fancy Land Rovers at the TOP of the track was a Mastercard moment to say the least. We even helped push a Hilux out of the way just to make the moment last.
It was off for a great swim and then back to camp so Nana & X box could head off in time to get the barge and head back to the coast.

Stevo, you can tell the story on how Charlie A...hole was born, and the rest of the trip.

Regards
Justin, Kathryn, Annika and Patick.

[Zakros]

Justin, Great story so far,
Continuing on to Sunday afternoon..
I got to be the new trip lead after nana blots and x-box left for the ferry, we headed inland on an east to west track to Lake Allom which to the kids delight (and the adults) was teeming with 10inch black turtles that would swim around the shallow inlet so that they could get there picture taken. From the lake we headed to the western beach. What a nice place this was, flat clam water able to camp all along a 20 km beach, that didn’t have any other 4wds on it. Guys the for Fraser trip part 3 this is the place to be, Just back the tinni or ski boat in and have fun.

I most some pictures soon

Navron

[stevo68]

Ok, the story continues :D . But before that, I'd like to say thanks for the help received putting up and taking down the "palace" its a hell of a job and thanks to all who assisted. Was also great to meet/ get to know some new faces ie Navron and Alicia/ Kathryn, Patrick and Annika, True and Ashton had a ball with them and also Hunter. All the kids playing together was great.

Now to the fun stuff, firstly how Nana Bolts came about ( and before I take the mickey, Nana Bolts did an excellent job as Trip leader and is to be commended. Also Tail End Charlie ( thanks Fenian, got confused) did a good job as Aunty Charlie A$%ehole). As Justin has noted, we ended up as the Daddy Daycare D3, anyway one on on the trips we noticed a tour bus coming up a hooter and we ended up letting it pass, where I made comment that Bolts was driving like a Nana, hence Nana Bolts was born :D . Then the kids joined in with comments like " watch out Nana bolts will hit us with his handbag, or ooooh Nana Bolts will need a shave before he puts on his lippy", Well Justin and I were besides ourselves with laughter, so much so that my nuts started to ache :eek: . Well this continued for sometime. Another comment came through the UHF from Nana that there was a large hole ahead, the response back from the Daddy Day Care D3 was " Its ok mate, we are in 4WD's" :).

Well as Nana Bolts is great with a quip back, and obviously having had enough of the "comments" back came through the UHF was " hey listen here Aunty Justin and Aunty Charlie A%$ehole" :o , and it stuck. So from then on in, we had Nana Bolts as trip leader and Aunty Charlie A%$ehole. Only problem was, that later that day when we headed off from the servo on Sunday to get some fuel, True ( my 9 yr old daughter) mentioned that " Hey Dad, Nana Bolts is up front and Aunty Charlie A%$ehole was bringing up the rear :eek: . At that point I had to mention 2 things " What happens on camp, stays on camp and that what she may hear adults saying is not to be repeated" :) .

Nights were spent up at the "Broke Back" boys aka Nana and Xbox ( well they did fish and sleep together :eek: ), where we sat around Xboxs contained fire thingy with heat beads, drank too much ( Ill leave that for umm maybe Nana to have a crack back at my expense :D ), good conversation and an all round good time, plus on Nana's and Xboxs last night got to have some great food combined with our own, which they kindly shared with us ravenous hordes.

I will post some pics tomorrow ( finally got to some some dingo's, plus myself at 3am out to take a tinkle to see 2 large dingos in the dim light, which made me tinkle as fast as I could) and a contender for " Australia's funniest home video" which unfortunately has me as the star :eek: . All jokes aside, myself, True and Ash had an excellent time and that very much due to the great people that we went with. Hopefully for the next one ie Fraser part 3, others will be able to make it as well ( nah nah to those who missed this time :wasntme: )

Regards

Stevo

[x-box]

Yes, what a pleasant two days (had to get back sun)..... except for the fact that we got a fair bit of wind (and a cold one at that), some rain and not a single fish :mad:.
Saw all the normal stuff - sand, toymota drivers, pretty backpackers, Eli creek, champagne pools (partly filled with sand after recent storms), a few lakes, huge sea turtle, and plenty bluebottles on the beach that popped nicely under the tyres.
The campsite was good, the company something else at times (let it not be said that landrover owners have no sense of humor!!), the sightseeing and driving trips very enjoyable, and evenings around the "campfire" (read portable bbq and heat-beads, no fires allowed) plainly spectacular.
Aaah tell you what, more is not nesessary - we had it all. Friends, food, good vehicles and a long white beach......
'Nuff said, the rest of you missed out :cool:

[bolts]

Firstly I would like to thank all who came up to Frazer and allowed me opportunity to travel with them, it was a great trip and the people made my life easy (apart from a few wise cracks). To those who did not make it - well you missed out.

As Dranged(aka Auntie Justin - Daddy day care D3) and Stevo(aka Auntie Charlie A%%**le - Daddy day care D3) have listed in the trip we had great weather most of the weekend with a few shows at night, after campfire and dinner.

We managed to explore the island a bit more this trip with enough breaks to allow kids time to run and stretch legs. I would like to thank Justin and Kathryn who gave up their D2 in order for Keyboy and family to get around and sort out making calls ect and then jumping into the remaining vehicles so that the rest of the group could go off and and enjoy the rest of the day. Thus all kids were put into the D3 and Daddy Day care was formed.

Camp fires around X-Box braai was great with good laughs and conversation and a few drinks. Although Auntie Charlie A**&&&& had a great service on hand and never got up to get a drink once, (thanks to Tru and Ash) and thus enjoyed a few more than the rest off us. Well at the end of the evening Auntie got up to go home with Tru and Ash each side of him. A Dingo tactical manouver was implemented which involved a lot of one step forward - five right - one step forward - 3 left.In all he took 200 steps to do a 40 step walk. It was classic Auntie.

Sunday had some highs and lows - gettting taken at the drag by a lady in a D2 TD5 up to 150mtrs (well done Kathryn) then by a Auntie in leopard skin shorts in a D3 to 300mtrs. On the high was all driving past 3 toyo's stuck in the sand on the way up to the pools.

Unfortunatly we had to head back to camp and off to catch ferry as work was calling. I would have liked to stay till Monday and done the other side of the island but was not to be, but will be at the next trip.

Thanks again to all for a great trip and look forward to the next trip.

Cheers

[Outlaw]

Brilliant team report guys... wish i had made it

[stevo68]

Ok here are the pics I took, remember to click on to enlarge,

Regards

Stevo

http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/44/2bb11f985891ac0f433882f0ba2f8a44.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109271/picture-hosting/15092006223.php)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109272/picture-hosting/15092006224.php)

http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/5b/a9c9cf45763c509f7fe3b87b798e715b.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109273/picture-hosting/15092006225.php)

My Brats
http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/c7/8c45113ff6d475e15a74fbdcc2b995c7.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109274/picture-hosting/15092006226.php)

http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/bc/0302cf063bc458f335fa966621b718bc.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109275/picture-hosting/16092006229.php)

Bolts and mud
http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/f9/d7edbd22bc8101fbedc0be2ba05d3ef9.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109276/picture-hosting/16092006230.php)

Spot the dingo ( taken with my phone)

http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/ac/a6b44b91455911d0712a4777746e54ac.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109277/picture-hosting/17092006231.php)
http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/b5/dc8efc0136435b8d9fb931c33c2b64b5.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109278/picture-hosting/17092006232.php)
http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/4d/f4a848e3dcdd350b4519fcba7188664d.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109279/picture-hosting/17092006233.php)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109280/picture-hosting/17092006234.php)

Kids with the turtles
http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/82/bb2124aad1acbfc49a84647a8aba3d82.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109282/picture-hosting/17092006236.php)
http://images1.pictiger.com/thumbs/5d/cedbaed026ef8714001f6ae312c8055d.th.jpg (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109284/picture-hosting/17092006238.php)

The D3's Last Hurrah :(

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://server1.pictiger.com/img/109285/picture-hosting/17092006239.php)

[LoadedDisco]

Brilliant team report guys... wish i had made it

As Outlaw stated. Sounded like a cracker of a trip.
Cant wait for the next club run to catch up will everyone.

[FenianEel]

As Outlaw stated. Sounded like a cracker of a trip.
Cant wait for the next club run to catch up will everyone.

Who said you're invited:wasntme: :p

[FenianEel]

Who said you're invited:wasntme: :p

ROFLMAO at my own jokes - I need a holiday:rolleyes:

[LoadedDisco]

Who said you're invited:wasntme: :p

Be nice or I wont Recover the epsom green machine when you get stuck behind me. ;)

[FenianEel]

Be nice or I wont Recover the epsom green machine when you get stuck behind me. ;)

Hahaha - I need to get on a Friggen trip first!! Long overdue - although had a play at Cityview

[bolts]

Stevo

Some nice pics - pitty my mud run was out of focus, although taken on a phone not bad at all. :p .

[DRanged]

Forgot to mention in my first report a big thanks to Nana Bolts for a great trip. Well organised, well led, and no recoveries to do, you lucky bugger. I tell you what the March trip should be to the Western beach. No traffic, calm water. well protected and camping anywhere you like. Must start organising now we need,

Ski/fishing boat, a couple would be nice
Tinnie and outboard ( no limit)
Marqui for eating area
Porta loo.
More club members

So the challenge is out, lets see if we can organise all of the above. Also I will see if driving up to Hervey bay and barging from there would be easier , ie distance and $

Regards Justin

[dungarover]

I'd be keen for the March trip at this stage. I haven't been to Fraser in 8 years and wouldn't mind visiting some of the old favorites (Eli creek, Lake McKenzie, etc..) if that's what you intend on doing. 4 days is a minimum IMO, done it in 3 long days once ,sparrows hour start on the Sat, drive like hell, set the tent up, look around for a couple of days and race to the 4PM ferry and get home by about 8PM on the Monday:eek: THEN go to work at the delightful hour of 1AM still half-****ed from all the beer you had to drink to 'ligten' the vehicle :D :D :twisted: :twisted:

The western side is more easy going (ie- no bloody backpackers) and some of the tracks on the southern western side are 'interesting' if they're still open (unlikely).

Glad you all had a great weekend, wish I was there :dbcry:

Trav

[stevo68]

I tell you what the March trip should be to the Western beach. No traffic, calm water. well protected and camping anywhere you like. Must start organising now we need,

Ski/fishing boat, a couple would be nice
Tinnie and outboard ( no limit)
Marqui for eating area
Porta loo.
More club members

So the challenge is out, lets see if we can organise all of the above. Also I will see if driving up to Hervey bay and barging from there would be easier , ie distance and $
Done, Ill be there, this time will all the family :D , by then I will have new wheels ( F%$K I hope so :eek: ) a trailer to cart of the stuff around so I have extra seats, especially for the missus as she really wants to go next time. Hell I might even put my hand up for Trip Leader, Aunty Nana Charlie A$#@hole :cool:

Regards

Stevo

[stikman]

Forgot to mention in my first report a big thanks to Nana Bolts for a great trip. Well organised, well led, and no recoveries to do, you lucky bugger. I tell you what the March trip should be to the Western beach. No traffic, calm water. well protected and camping anywhere you like. Must start organising now we need,

Ski/fishing boat, a couple would be nice
Tinnie and outboard ( no limit)
Marqui for eating area
Porta loo.
More club members

So the challenge is out, lets see if we can organise all of the above. Also I will see if driving up to Hervey bay and barging from there would be easier , ie distance and $

Regards Justin

I can help with two of the above....new/more club members and Ski/fishing boat.

Haven't been on a trip yet, only joined last couple of weeks, so hopefully this will not be my first trip with the club, but the family and I are keen for Fraser next time it is organised.

Oh Yeah, my boat is a 19ft bow rider, ski pole, wake boarding tower and rod holders. It would love the trip up also!

[DRanged]

Ok trip leader is Auntie Charlie A...hole. aka Stevo68. (you can use my trailer)
Stikman has offered his boat, well done Stikman. I am sure we can get Nana bolts to take his boat. All the camping gear should fit inside ????. I can take ya zimmer frame Nana.

Anyone got a porta loo ????? Stevo can handle the chemicals, maybe gloves will stop the caustic burns this time!!!!!!!!. Blue hands & leopard skin shorts, what a combo.

Regards Justin

[weeds]

Anyone got a porta loo ?????

Regards Justin

i have a porta loo

at this stage would be keen on the trip, will bring the canoe along

even if i don't make the trip u can still borrow the porta loo

[MickG]

Count me in, don't have anything on the list but the club has a marqui things don't we? Also Stevo, you can buy my trailer as I'm getting rid of it;) Upset I missed this trip but you can make damned sure I'll be on the next one....unless any more family decide to get married and have the wedding in Scotland:eek: ........2007 is going to be another expensive year I tell you.

Aye, Mick

[bolts]

Okay I will be there with zimmer frame :pand boat - I have a 5meter boat so can fit a lot of gear into - no problems there:D

Not sure about auntie charlie A******* leading the trip - he wont have any electronics guiding him - hel he will get lost in his own back yard:wasntme:. Also we have changed his name to Auntie Granny (because he gets his undies in a twist).

[Outlaw]

Woohoo sounds like a plan.

Don't think i could be bothered getting a boat but will bring the seadoo for a play... sounds like a roadtrain to me... my fender, pulling camo's rangy, pulling my camper trailer, pulling his camper trailer, pulling the seadoo ;)

[stevo68]

Not sure about auntie charlie A******* leading the trip - he wont have any electronics guiding him - hel he will get lost in his own back yard:wasntme:. Also we have changed his name to Auntie Granny (because he gets his undies in a twist). Now now Nana, cant you remember what your Nana would have told you " If you cant say anything nice, dont say NOTHING at all " :p . Who knows I still may have the D3 if I cant sell it, may just have to work harder thats all. I dont think I have the easiest car to sell, despite its greatness. Also Mick, yes will be looking at a trailer, just dont know when, but would be keen to have a squizz at yours all the same,

Regards

Stevo

[LoadedDisco]

I think you lot that whent to Frazer need to order new club shirts with your real (New) call names on the back. LOL :p

[Camo]

haha i was gonna say the same thing

I like NANA..thats a keeper for sure!:D

good one steve :p

Camo

[Skiboy]

Well what a weekend.

Short story is:
(1) one key lost :wasntme: (yes it was),
(2) one Range Rover ignition module fried :confused: and
(3) one D1 with new overflow tank and waiting on new termo fan :twisted: .

We thought we were off to a flying start getting away Thursday night so as to avoid the early Friday start. Stayed in a very nice house – cost $25 a head for up market two rooms. So fresh for Friday.

Jumped onto the island and grabbed the camp spot near the Maheno for all and set up new camper. All going well.

Saturday set off early to Eli so that not hold others up – takes a while for 15yr olds to wake and get going! Had a nice swim until ½ way down the creek when I noticed the car key no longer resided in my pocket!

Much searching (in vain) in the creek and sand found nothing. We had out board shorts and that was it. Justin very very generously loaned us his 4x4 so we could go to Happy Valley and make RACQ and other calls.

Thank God for RACQ Ultra Care and the fact Josh DID NOT come with us. Ultra care got a non RACQ contractor to tow the truck to camp on a 4x4 flat bed. I had some packing tape from Happy Valley shop and Danny (Alex’s friend) and I started to try and break in – we joked it would be more like “Gone in 60 Hours”. But it took me 5 minutes to do what I had seen done once 20 years ago – not bad for an amateur. That meant we now had the phone (with al the numbers) and food and drink etc. With Josh now on the way from the Gold Coast (fortunately he was on the Coast and not in Bris when I rang so he could go and get the spare key – after RACQ sent a lock smith to pick the house locks – he did not have a key) we decided to join the others on the Lake Makenzie run – we caught them at the Lake.

7:30pm Sat and there was a ROAR past the camp – Bolts is adamant that it was Josh in the Rangie – we flash him down the beach and he turns back. We have KEYS! We also now have some dup dup music for the boys!

Sunday Champaign pools was nice then we headed back to pack and dash after Bolts.

Tide was coming up so had to get off the beach after Dill Village and get on the by-pass road. Just as we got on the road Josh rolls to a stop. Car is Dead! We pull everything off looking for fuel and ignition faults – can’t see anything and time is upon us so I make the decision to put my camping trailer on Josh and tow him and the trailer down the road to the barge. Have called RACQ AGAIN to meet us at the barge for him.

However to get to the barge the sand is very tough going and had to flog the D1 with the heavy trailer to get there – just as on the barge the steam rises from the bonnet. SO I can’t pull Josh onto the barge – would never have done it anyway as sand too dry, deep and soft. So I take the barge and we get the RACQ 4x4 truck to go back over and pull Josh onto the barge – that truck also got bogged and struggled to get him to the barge!

Anyway back at RACQ we find (1) my D1 has split the overflow tank – next day we also discover why – thermo clutch/fan not working so not pulling air through radiator in low range and (2) Josh’s ignition module fried.

We have to overnight to get a part from Gympie (expensive) to fix D1 overflow and get us home Monday and Josh is flat bedded to Brisbane to wait a part from Sydney to fix.

So it was a surprise to Justin and Navron and Steve to see us still in Rainbow Monday when we had left Sunday.

We all had a day off work and Hunter had a day off School. And with all the towing and Accom and repairs my bank has taken a knock!

Oh and I have a new name it seems!

Skiboy – AKA – KEYboy :angrylock:

Keith

[Skiboy]

I see the discussion has got to the next trip (just read it)

I suggest I take a spare key!

I have an 18' ski boat - 175 Yamaha. Not much if sea is rough as it is a low lying ski boat - not really for open waters unless calm (maybe a ski weekend on Coast is also the go??)
We also have tinny and outboard - for fishing – can put tinny on roof of D1.

Re Porta Loos - it does not take much to fill these - 2-3 people over 2-3 days and it would be full. Last weekend Rachael used ours - only to wee and it was 2/3 full by the time we left. If used for no 2’s then quite messy to clean.

We normally try to use it for ladies only and urgent no 2’s (esp for kids). Rest is in normal toilets.

Note that Porta Loos only cost $149 - can even get at KMart. So not expensive. Also a lot of places now demand you DO NOT use the harsh blue chemical - they are all going over to bio solutions which are not harsh dangerous chemicals 9much better for handling) – can get these bio solution at Nerang camping store. $20 a bottle or something like that.

My suggestion would be that people consider getting one for each camp or the club buy some (if it has funds or we fund raise - ask Nerang bulk store for a discount etc) and get a bunch for future trips. You will also need a tent or privacy screen for the ladies. It si worth the investment as it means you can camp where the crowds DO NOT camp. We also have a shower that is essentially a boat bilge pump (they cost $30-35) running off a battery with a hand held nozzle. This also means that can keep all clean and a bit more pleasant. Can get these already set up at the Nerang Camping store with bucket for about $70.

Re Western Side Camp. It is my understanding from the topographical map of Fraser and other brochures that the western side can be soft and boggy – sand sitting on vegetation and thus is deceptive to the driver. That is why it is NOT the Island super highway I guess. We would need to be careful to scout the area well.

I would also suggest if a big group going that a generator and communal Freezer may be worth considering for freezing food etc and making frozen water for in eskies? Or to use the generator to run battery fridges on the days we do not drive. My large deep cycle battery will only run the fridge for 24-36 hrs then it is dead. So would need either generator or Solar panel to recharge.

I would be keen on a trip that focused more on fishing and relaxing than driving and touring. Maybe there can be a mix.

Ok must get back to work as talking a half day tomorrow and off for the weekend to Springbrook.

Keith

[bolts]

haha i was gonna say the same thing

I like NANA..thats a keeper for sure!:D

good one steve :p

Camo


Really copper top I dont think so:nazilock:

[stevo68]

Pics, Pics, Pics. Xbox, Navron, I know you took pics, where are they, me thinks time to post them :D , plus I know there were some good ones of the camp, oh and of course me as well. Would also love a copy if possible,

Regards

Stevo

[Zakros]

Alicia took all our photos, and she hasn't sent them to me yet. When she gets back from snowboarding in NZ I hassel her for the pictures
Navron

[Camo]

Originally Posted by Camo
haha i was gonna say the same thing

I like NANA..thats a keeper for sure!

good one steve

Camo


Really copper top I dont think so

Aww must have hit a nerve:eek:

[Zakros]

Ok its taken a few months to get the photos off Alicia and a few months for me to get around to putting them on the web.

http://picasaweb.google.com/navron/FraserTrip1

Zakros

[stevo68]

Ok its taken a few months to get the photos off Alicia and a few months for me to get around to putting them on the web.

Better late than never mate, good work, get to see some D3 action in there :D, plus some good group piccies,

Regards

Stevo

[Outlaw]

hehe loving the penguin pajamas... had a mate who's g/f years back used a powerpuff girls doona... at 30... luckily i also knew her bosses quite well so passed on that tid bit of gossip for their office amusement