Day 308 Frazer Island

 Friday 4 November


Hope you're ready for some long posts for the next couple of days! 


Today we set off early for Frazer Island with Vicky and Gaz.  This is a trip Ian and I have long looked forward to as both boys raved about the place after their visits some years ago. The Great Sandy Strait was a flat calm as we crossed to the island on the first ferry, or barge, of the day.  Frazer Island is the largest sand island in the world and the roads are all....sand! It was quite a culture shock as although I knew there were rough un  tarmaced roads ( hence hiring a 4x4) I hadn't quite appreciated how narrow the roads or how deep the sand was. We bumped and rattled off the ferry, down the road in a swirl of dust from the preceding vehicles and turned right at the first junction. 

Typical main road - we didn't try the minor ones!

 The two cars in front stopped, blocking the narrow single track. It turned out they were Aussies and frequent visitors. As this wasn't a popular road and we were in a hire vehicle they were worried we'd followed them in error.  This was typical of the friendliness and concern we've found here but particularly on the island.  It's a potentially dangerous place and people look out for each other. We reassured them that we were following the map, but as we were all heading in the same direction would tag along.

Roadside Vegetation

First stop was Ungowa, from where timber used to be transported.  There was nothing there but an old rotting jetty so we carried on, saying good bye to our new friends who were heading off down a minor trail.  In fact we kept bumping into them all day and met up again in the evening as they were staying in the same hotel as us.  We then had a long and bumpy drive aiming for some lakes but we took a diversion to Dilli Village on the coast.  It turned out to not be a village at all but did give us our first view of the magnificent 75 mile East Beach.  

Vicky & Gaz, East Beach

We stretched our legs, took a couple of photos then set off through the forest again for the lakes.  The first one Lake Boomanjin was a bit of a disappointment as you couldn't really see it as the shore was overgrown with trees, it did however have a toilet! 

Heading back to the car, Lake Boomanjin

 The next lake was wonderful.  Lake Benaroon had soft white sand beaches, blue water and shady trees.  We ate our lunch at the picnic site by the car and then had cooling swim in the clear water. Bliss!

Lake Benaroon

Vicky, Lake Benaroon

Lake Benaroon

Back in the car, we bounced along to Central Station.  This used to be a logging station but is now an information centre and has several walking routes passing through it. We chose a beautiful 40 minute stroll around a boardwalk which followed a small creek part of the way.  We were in tall rainforest surrounded by eucalyptus, palms and pines, the air alive with the sound of birds and the water of the creek so clear, it was difficult to actually see it as it ran over the white sand.

Wanggoolba Creek (see the water?)

Wanggoolba Creek

Hooped Pine

Eucalyptus Trees

Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk

After another 40 minutes drive we arrived at our hotel at Eurong to find our Aussie friends in the swimming pool. We joined them!


Although this is a hotel we actually have a 2 bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the pool and sea. V & G cooked us a nice meal and I think we were all in bed by about 8.00pm, totally shattered!