Thread: Fraser Island Trip report

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

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. 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 " . 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

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

haha i was gonna say the same thing

I like NANA..thats a keeper for sure!

good one steve

Camo

Well what a weekend.

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

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

Keith

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

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

Pics, Pics, Pics. Xbox, Navron, I know you took pics, where are they, me thinks time to post them , 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