We had booked a two day tour to Fraser Island for today, so a very early start for us both; up at 6am and picked up at 7am. The bus did the rounds and picked all of our fellow tour group up from various hotels and hostels.
We were dropped off at the township of River Heads were we were met by the barge (Fraser Venture) that did the short 30 minute journey across to the Island. It was a pleasant journey across, and as we pulled into the west coast of Fraser the low tide exposed the sand banks, which the barge had to dodge.
Off the barge and we jumped on our huge 4x4 bus, with its towering wheel base and fat chunky tires it looked like it would be more suited to the moon!
As we made our way along the sand tracks we started to get a better idea about this beautiful island; a giant world heritage listed sand bar measuring 120km by 15km. The tracks that cut across the island to the east coast were barely wide enough, and as the bus swung along them at speed we were told to put on our seat belts to ensure we stayed in our seats whilst flying over the many lumps and bumps.
The first stop on our tour was Lake Wabby; the trail head for which was just off the east coast beach, and after a couple of kms we made it to the Hammerstone Sandblow, which towered over Wabby on one side. On the other 3 sides was thick bush, where eagles swooped on their prey.
As we descended the Sandblow and jumped in for a dip it was an awesome sight to behold, as giant catfish swum past us, and in the eastern end of the lake there were small turtles.
After our swim we walked back to the bus and jumped on for the short ride to the Eurong Beach Resort, where we would be staying for overnight tonight and also having all of our meals.
Lunch over with and we were back on the bus heading inland to Wanggoolba Creek and Central Station. On the way out of the resort we chanced upon two dingo's, loitering by the perimeter fence; a fence that had been constructed after a young boy was killed by a dingo a couple of years ago…after all they are wild dogs.
Firstly we walked around Central Station, where the timber cutters set up home in the 1800s, before being asked to leave in the 1900s when the Forestry Commission took over control of the Island. Today some of their huts and tools remain.
We then did a couple of kms walk through the tropical rainforest of Wanggoolba Creek, a quiet and peaceful place.
Back on the bus, and we were dropped at the Eurong Resort and shown to our rooms…our own room…the first hotel room we have had in Australia. Needless to say we had a quick dinner and then went back to enjoy the huge room, and TV!
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