Fraser Island 2011

[GuyG]

I'll start by saying what a Fantastic Trip. Thanks to everyone who made it. We covered the full length of the Island and a reasonable number of the inland tracks. I know I did just on 900km and unsure how much fuel, but who cares the V8's sounded sweet.

Attendees:
GuyG - rangie
Grimace - rangie
Jaffa - rangie
Outlaw & Tom - rangie
TimJ & Phil - Pinzguer
WhiteD3 & kids - D4
DJHampson & JWHampson - D3
Aquarangie - disco, but at least it was a v8
Busman and family - disco
Noz & kids - defender
Rat, Ratwoman & Tom - defender

We had a split departure time, with a few opting for the very early start and going via Gympie and the remainder starting slightly later and heading via Tewantin and up Cooloola Coast, Leisha track and all the way to Rainbow Beach on the sand. This hasn't been possible in recent times due to the rocks near the Rainbow Beach township. It also gave us maximum time offroad and close up view of the coloured sands.

A permit is now required for this section also, but it is possible to get a combined permit for Cooloola and Fraser online but you have to do it in a seperate booking to the camping permits, you do save some money doing it this way.

Having topped up with fuel at Rainbow Beach we headed via the road to the barge at Inskip Point. As the tide was low we were able to stay on the beach round Hook Point and went straight up the beach to Dundaburra where we were camped for the trip. Dundaburra is located about 76km from Hook Point. There were lots of large Blue Bottles all along the beach.

The remainder of the day was fairly relaxed. A few of us walked the track up to view the Wungul Sandblow which is located just inland from the campgrounds - there are photos in other reports. There was no fire and an early night was had.

We had a change of plans on the Saturday and instead of hitting the normal tourist spots, ie Lake McKenzie etc, we headed to Valley of the Giants to view the huge trees, we past the track a few years ago on one of Stevo's trips but didn't actually see them. Its amazing how the landscape changes as you drive through the island. Tip for driving through less commonly used tracks - don't have your fishing rods on the roof, preferably leave them at camp: vine 1, fishing rod 0 Grimace had a similar result.

As all the maps showed different details as to whether the track was a loop or not, we went looking. There were a few walks to view the larger trees - a few commented that they thought we were a 4wding club, but theres always walking to check out the harder sections of tracks. These trees can also be accessed from the Great Walk when it re-opens after the water level drops enough to make the track dry and useable. The Great Walk starts at Dilli Village and works its way northwards ending at Happy Valley, which by the way is no longer has a shop, bar or a fuel station.

We travelled westward along Bogimbah Road entering through Poyungan Valley, then onto Postans Road and into the Valley of the Giants loop road. Having completed the loop some of the group thought that beers, backpackers and a swim in Eli Creek sounded better than further exploration towards the western side of the Island. The rest of us continued across on towards Urang and Bogimbah Creeks to see the remains of the Logging loading areas and an old wooden boat ramp. There are quite a few remains that are no longer accessable. Lunch was had and a brief fish before we headed back towards camp via Happy Valley. It was getting on a bit by now but luckily there was still plenty of beach that was reasonably hard to drive on. We did stop and check the best spot to cross Eli Creek.

Unfortunately The Rats had to head home as work called on Monday and due to the tides etc we were unable to change the Sandy Cape trip to Saturday - hopefully the photos help.

Sunday was a reasonably early start due to the tides and having to get to Sandy Cape. First stop was Orchid Beach shop for Fuel and an ice cream, before continueing on to Ngkala Rocks bypass tracks. There are normally about three sections but with the build up of sand all the rocks were covered. Everyone made it through the first section with ease, then it was a smooth drive up the beach to the Cape. Most stopped on the corner where the Breaksea Spit continues out into the Ocean for another 40 odd km off the tip of Fraser. We continued round to the Light House entry track. No cars are allowed on the beach further than this point and its a walking track up to the Light House. Its only 1.2km but its quite a steep hill. There are also the Grave Stones and the RAAF Bunker to view while at the Cape - these are also 1.2km walk each way.

Most of us climbed the large sand dune, you can't go all that way and not do it, although about half way up I considered jumping on the sand board and heading back down, but I made it to the top and attempted to slide back down.

Lunch was had at Ocean Lake as there was shade and facilities. Then we started to make our way home via Orchid Beach for more fuel and another Ice Cream, Waddy Point and then onto Champayne Pools for a swim. It was reasonably close to high tide when we started heading down the beach so the first bit below Indian Head was a bit tough and slow going.

Monday saw another part of the group head home, the rest of us had a rest day, with some fishing, a bit of Eli Creek and Mark and the boys heading to Central Station, Lake Mackenzie and Kingfisher Resort for Lunch. There were a few keepable fish caught, but most were undersize. Yes we have photos to show - just for Presto, oh and because I think its the biggest Whiting I've caught.

Tuesday the rest of us packed up and headed home via Central Station, Lake Mackenzie and then down the Scenic Drive via the Lakes which brought us out at Dilli Village, before heading south to the barge.

Once on the mainland, we had a brief look at the sink hole which formed mid year at Inskip Point, then ducked back onto the road to come back onto the beach so that we could travel back to Rainbow Beach via the beach instead of on the road. Grimace and I checked the beach/rocks at Rainbow to confirm we had enough time etc to Travel back the way we came up. It was all good, so up for more fuel and collect the others before heading home via Double Island Point, Leisha Track and down Cooloola Beach.

I've got some photos that I will post soon.

[dungarover]

Start at the begenning I guess.

Woke up at sparrows fart (well earlier at 2:30AM ), got the gear ready and loaded up the fridge before I left. I had some breakfast prior to that and once again on the way to the BP at Caboolture. Had another serving of McStodges and a coffee where we met up with Busman, Rat, NOZ and Jaffa and we were on the road in no time. We wern't ****ing about we got moving but decided to go up via Gympie which I hate but as we had a slightly earlier start this was the only option as it would have taken longer up Cooloola with the tide in still.

Made it to Rainbow beach, filled up the V8 (first of three times that weekend ), $100 later and deflated the tyres and made out way to Inskip point. Unfortunatley the barge is owned by one company these days so they'res was no leway for a discount, had to pay through the nose (another $100 return) for the barge but had no option. Paid up and made it on the barge with no hassles.

Landed on the Island and Hook point was a easy drive around with the tide out. This beats that awful inland road and is a hell of a lot quicker. The tide was down pretty low even if it wasn't quite low tide but we got moving and made it to the dundaburra campground about an hour or so after drkiving off the barge at Hook point. they're was no time to waste, had the tent up and a few beers were going (remind me not to drink during the day, I was doing the campfire nod-off at 1PM ) but about an hour after we had set up the rest oif the group arrived to my surprise. buggers drove the beach too, never mind maybe on the way back.

Very little happened that afternoon, I went off for a nana nap whilts some went and tried there luck with the fishing. It was a bit of a letdown but undeterd, few would still persist all weekend. Nightime was happeneing and once again, beer was flowing quite freely but we were all a bit knackerd so it was an early night.

I was sleeping well when I had an uninvited intruder. I was taking a slash and idiot here forgot to zip the tent up, a small desert rat of sorts had made it's way inot the tent and had a bit of a chop at my bread. I put the food in the tent from past Fraser trips I've had a few issues with the locals having a crack at it. After about 20 mins of trying to get this litlle bastard out of the tent I was sucessful and could go back to sllep. What is it with wildlife and my tent, they must be attracted to me . ****ing scary I reckon

Saturday morning arrived and Guy, our fearless trip leader hadl planned a day out to the western side of the island. At the time it sounded good but after about 2 hours of starting at a dirt track some of us were getting the ****s so several of us (NOZ, Jaffa, Rat, Busman and me) retreated back to the beach and had a relaxing few hours, some perving on the backpackers or lack of and some doing the float down Eli (mostly the kids, they'res was no ****ing way you were getting me in there, it was a bit cool plus the thought of me without a shirt on would have caused a blidness epidemic ).

About 3pm, Jaffa and I made our way back to camp via Cathedrel beach to top up for the trip to Sandy Cape the next day. When I pulled up Darren mentioned I had an oil leak, more than the Land Rover standard Oh ****, now what Turned out that the oil cooler line fitting had shaken loose (this happened on the last Fraser trip I did 2 years ago ). About 5 mins with a shifter and a liter of oil (at $28.50 may I add ) I was all going again. Add that cost to the $100 fuel bill for a half a tank (at $2.06 a litre ) it ended up being a expensive excersise but who cares, we're on holidays so I sort of forgot about it quickly.

Back at camp, we indulged in the arvo ritual of a few coldies before dinner. We waited for the rest of the group to arrive back which was around the 6PM mark. At this point we had dinner and cleaned up (well some of us ) with an evening of Kevin Bloody Wilson and Carl Barron for laughs. The neighhboring campers must have thought that we were a bunch of bogans or something but **** 'em we're enjoying themselves. I think my Kevin Bloody Wilson CD may have corrupted NOZ' kids, sorry about that . I hope they do't go singing "stick that ****in' phone up your ****in' arse" at school

Sunday adorned on us, some of us hungover (me) but regardless it was off to sandy cape and a visit to Waddy point and champain pools on the way back. It was an early start about 7:30AM but we needed to hit the low tide pretty much spot on. A trip to Orchaid Beach where a few of us filled up and indulged some meat pies before we headed up to the Cape. the Nakaga rocks (not sure how it spelt) were a piece of ****, I remember from trips years ago this was quite challenging and it was crutial to get the tides right or it could end in tears. the problem with sandy cape is once you're in you can't get out til low tide but the bonus is the peace and quiet. This is the best part of Fraser as far as a backpacker free zone goes and plentyof camping. We headed to the lighthouse, I didn't walk it (been there before and nearly died from the walk ) but spent a good couple of hours on the beach. Darren tried his luck again at Fishing but to no avail.

Some decided after the lighthouse walk that they should try the climb up the sand dune, several of the blokes did (not me, I don't do walking ) but Busman nearly had a coronary making it up the hill but survived to tell the tale. NOZ got about half way and called it quits, it was a steep ****er of a hill I did say .

Made our way back along the beach, past the rocks and once again no hassles. Stopped at orchaid for a ice cream (well some of us) and had a quick look at waddy. This was good that we did, I hadn't been there for a long time and it has changed quite a bit from when I did it years ago. Stopped at Champagne pools (I didn't swim, read the Eli creek section for the reason) but it was getting on so we had to get out arses into gear and head back to camp. The tide was at nearly high so it was a long slog in the soft stuff for about 20 kms and I was worried about working the Disco too hard. No problems and the Disco handled it well (for a Disco ).

Made it back to camp where it was my last night on a GCLRO trip for quite a while so a fire was in order. This time I didn't touch it, I didn't fork out the small fortune for the wood so I ruled myself out of the burning of it. Grimace did a good job of keeping it going. A few beers were had and it was a early night for most of us so we headed to bed pretty early for the trip home the next day.

The next day came and I was felling not great. nor from the drinking for a change but I had contracted some grubs bloody horrible cold. felt like death warmed up when I awoke but a couple of panadol and a cement pill so I could harden the **** up That was enough to get me to pack my gear up ready to go. About 8:45AM we were all heading off down the beach. The tide was nearly prefect and decided to do the full beach run (been a while since I did this) and low tide would be sopt on for it the time we left. Took about an 1 1/2 hours to get to the barge, got off at inskip, pulled into Rainbow, paid the $15.50 for the permit (not happy, bloody QLD gov rooting us up the arse as per usual ) but all sorted so off onto the beach and it was apretty uneventful trip. Mudlo was a nonp-venet with the tide right out and with recnent storms shifting a fair whack of the beach too. The Leisha track has changed a lot since I last did it back about 7 years ago, lots of soft sand as Darren mentioned to me earlier the approach was narrower than it was before. Past Double Island and onto the beach, not used to not seeing the Cherry venture (been a while since I ventured up that far) but the tide was right out and it was a dream run all the way to the Noosa ferry. Prior to that, re-inflated the tyres at the inflating station across from the pub (these things are bloody slow and some dill only put 2 of them in. It was a Monday during a non-holiday period, would have been a nightmare if it was peak holiday in January or something ).

Got off the Noosa ferry where I lost everyone as I was the last vehicle in the group, so I got the ****s and headed out to the Highway via Cooroy. I didn't get the chance to catch up with Darren as he had decided to visit a mate on the way home who lived up that way (sorry) but caught up with the rest of the crew at the BP at Caboolture for a KFC fix. I said my last goodbyes for a while, best of luck and so on and it was time to head back home (well til early next week it is).

Thanks to Guy for a great trip, done a good job. To everyone that went, thanks for the company. Will see you all soon prehaps til then best of luck.

Trav

[Outlaw]

Yep a bloody ORSUM trip as Grimace would say

Cheers Guy, did a brilliant trip as leader and had all the days and tides sorted perfectly (even if a touch long at times )... was great to get up to Sandy Cape as never been before. My old man Tom had a great trip also as been 19 years since his last trip to Fraser. He'd met a couple of the attendees before but not most and was impressed at how easily it is to get along with everyone and the diversity of the professional base

Well here are a few pics to slightly counteract Trav's novel

And will post more up later on as Tom took a heap as well.

Cheers again to everyone on the trip making Tom feel welcome, and was good to be on your last trip for a while Trav

Some Sandblow


Some lake


Some landies at the Maheno (including the 101 wannabe)


Some members at Sandy Cape


Some more members at Sandy Cape

[Outlaw]

Some fools who climbed to the Sandy Cape Lighthouse


Some view from the Lighthouse


Some landies and fools on top of a sand dune at the cape


Some Mark at Waddy


Some members resting at Waddy


Oh and anyone who trekked up to the Lighthouse notice on the info board that the lightkeeper who used his Jeep to lift him up and down for painting looked awfully like a series landie in the pic Grrrrr.

And haven't got pics of Champagne Pools (though Tom will)... is an ideal place to be during hightide

That is all for now

[WhiteD3]

Hi guys. Still cleaning up after getting back around 6 last night. God knows how many kilo’s of sand was and still is in the D4!

Thanks to Guy for a great trip and Grimace for sucking on everyone else’s fumes and dust for 5 days as the TEC.

Not too much to add to what’s already been said. The trip up to Sandy Cape was stunning as was the bush fire devastation (for the wrong reasons) NW of Lake McKenzie (pics of this to follow). I thought Dundabura was a nice place to camp with good facilities, lots of shade, little wind and even a pay phone. The fire side chats were great usual.

I had my eldest son Andy with me along with a mate of his, Harry. Harry had never been camping before or to Fraser for that matter. They both tell me what a good time they had. Special thanks to Grimace for the fishing rods and bait, not to mention the washing up money.

The D4 on the sand was a learning experience for me having never had a diesel before. Early on in the trip I struggled with the D4 in the soft sand when the revs would die off. Once I had the technique sorted (thanks to Dave H) by locking in 2nd gear to keep the revs up and the turbo in play the D4 was fantastic. Never came close to being bogged or any other sort of trouble and the fuel usage of ~15 l/100 average was much appreciated.

Here’s some pics.

Waiting for the barge at Rainbow.


Tim and the one that got away.


Tim in the Valley of the Giants


err....'nough said


Grimace doing the first crossing at Ely


Tim & Phil


Dave and Jon


Outlaw taking the old Man's car for a spin.


The fleet at Ely


Sandy cape panorama


Grimace....king of the castle


Busman enjoying his near death experience.


Noz relaxing


Guy


Busman's son Ben(?) showing us how to get down.


el President'e at Waddy point.


The boys at Champagne pools

[Presto]

Was Tim's hook up the only one of the trip? ...or is he hooked up to the Maheno off to the right??

[WhiteD3]

Saturday arvo, down the beach, no fish and no imagination but I did have my camera

Grimace will say I stole this idea from him, but I think he stole it from Dave H

[Timj]

That was a really good trip! Had a great time as always. I do love Fraser, even though I have been there many times (at least once a year for about the last 15 years). It was really good to get to the top and up to the lighthouse again as I have only managed to get there once before. The change in the water when you go round the corner at Sandy Cape is just unbelievable, it's like you were just transported to a tropical island with white sand and bright blue water in a lagoon.

Some pictures here if anyone wants to have a look - Fraser 2011 album | TimJ | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.

Thanks Guy for leading, thanks Grimace for TEC and everybody else for just having a good time and letting us have one too .

TimJ.

[djhampson]

Grimace will say I stole this idea from him, but I think he stole it from Dave H

Nope I stole it from him.... Tho yours worked out better than mine did.

[Rat woman]

Hey virgin trip report for me!
It's always great to get away from work and camp with good company!!!
Our trip was a little shorter then others (early Fri to early Sun), but always stoked to erect the tent down by the beach and have a relaxo.

We joined the crew at bp Burpengary and headed via Gymp-town to Inskip. We had a good run up the beach at pretty much smack on low tide - never did see that camper trailer with the noisy bearing again...
Last time I did Fraser, Eli Ck was deeper and met the ocean further to the right and the maheno was less rusted away - but that was over 8 yrs ago.

On arrival at camp spot turn off we were greeted by the only dingo I saw on the trip. Luckily we had fences surrounding the camp an electric grid to keep the buggers out. Unfortunately a baby snake still got in, which I came across and totally frightened the crap out of me Anyway I'm just glad we did the walk to the sandblow on the Friday or I wouldn't have gone on the Sat after seeing the snake!

I enjoyed driving the defender on Sat AM, which wasn't too difficult for my virgin run on the hard sand with the favorable tides. The massive trees in the valley of giants were a sight to see, but a bit draining when we're there to soak up the beach atmosphere for a short time. The Eli Ck lunch and swim/play was well earned by the kids, while the adults looked on at the wildlife attracted to the watering-hole.

We had a humorous social evening on Sat with the drinks flowing. I was surprised to get up and packed early. We farewelled our fellow campers when they left for the Cape and we were left to polish off the bacon & eggs, finish packing and leave by 8:45. We absolutely flew home with the defender chipped, exhaust and new transfer gears, we were home, unpacked and all put away clean by 4:30.

Thanks for organising a great trip Guy and to the attendees, for making it a memorable one! I look fwd to this and similar trips in the future.

Ps we have to get those aulro stickers because I'd like one with "ratwoman" on the rangie!!!

Ratwoman