Fraser Island

Fraser Island is probably one of those places where it all started for both Lisa and I, that is a love of travel and wild places. Some time in the late 80's, we both got to have a 4WD adventure on Fraser Island with our families. This was probably an important time in Australian travel, when regular families just went out and explored destinations because it looked good. There was not the same need for all the right gear, just did it - with whatever could be hired or borrowed.

Now Fraser Island is just as important, if not more so - because the experience has not been diluted or dumbed down. From approaching the Inskip Point Barge across deep soft sand, you are either ready for it - or you don't even get there! The sense of space and openness as you drive up on 75 Mile Beach is remarkable. Its a cross between an open road and a 4WD obstacle course. I remember at 17 years old I was allowed to drive the Troopie on the beach and I hit Eli Creek at speed and everyone in the back almost ended up on the front seat, not a mistake I wanted to repeat.

Despite the Islands size and sense of space, you dont get it to yourself. Our visit coincided with the annual Clean Up Fraser Weekend, when all the 4WD Clubs come to the island and get involved in looking after their favourite destinations. This involved many hundreds picking this as their extended long weekend on Fraser, and a good choice too, the weather and conditions were perfect. 25 degree days, light winds - even good surf! But I chose not to surf -  surfing point breaks on Fraser on your own just isolates yourself as the largest and tastiest bait for the largest and hungriest fish. Despite hundreds of people on the Island I did not see a single human in the ocean! There were good overhead waves peeling from Indian head and Waddy Point, yet no one riding them. There is a good a reason!

All credit to the Queensland 4WD Clubs. While some of their fraternity were easily identified by maroon singlets, tremendous girth and outstandingly equipped off road vehicles, they were a friendly community and environmentally minded bunch. Well done Queensland! A successful community environmental event.

We also noticed we did not see a single Dingo in 5 days, yet decades ago they were always hanging around. Agin I credit an excellent awareness campaign by QNPWS to ensure Dingos are not fed or encouraged by visitors. Successful i would say as Dingo appear to have lost interest in Human activities - a good result for humans (especially kids) and for dingos!

We had so much fun on Fraser island we have recorded some of the awesomeness.  A youtube vid will be forthcoming soon as the fish the fish stop biting!!