Fraser Island October 2019 Part 2
Fraser Island October 2019
Day 2
Ocean Lake (Zone 8), Ngkala Rocks to Sandy Cape.
Sandy Cape back to Ocean Lake.
On Day 2 we were woken by our rapidly warming Oz Tent as the sun rose over the sea. By 6.30am it was too hot to sleep. Rick and Amanda were nowhere to be found having woken earlier and gone for a beach walk. After a quick breakfast of granola with strawberries and blueberries we were off for some 4 wheel driving. The plan was to head further north to Sandy Cape. However there was another challenge prior – following coffee nature called and out here there were no convenient long drops. It was time to shit in a hole. Peter therefore had to dig a new one due to my enthusiastic sand kicking the night before. Peter undertook the mission first and returned complaining of sore thighs but happy with the effectiveness of the squat. I enlightened him as to how lucky he was to only have to squat once a day. It was then my turn and so I overcame my reluctance and pooped in the hole.
We set off up the beach. Before long we came to the narrow, rocky and sandy passage through Ngkala Rocks. We had to get through as the tide was too high. There was a queue of vehicles as a Ute was bogged in the sand. Tracks were laid and snatch strap applied by his mate in the Ute ahead. With a crowd watching he got going and promptly got bogged himself. A learner driver in an ancient 4×4 came bombing by and opted to go the beach route. He sprayed through and disappeared. We followed keen to get by but chickened out when we saw the scrape marks his tow hitch had left down the steep rocks back onto the beach. Back to waiting then. Eventually Rick took his LandCruiser onto the track. We girls had the task of scouting ahead to make sure collisions were avoided. As Peter floored it to follow Rick, Amanda and I were left to scurry through the hot sand up the steep slope, dodging the next convoy. “ ‘Come four wheel driving’ they said, ‘it will be fun,’ they said “ I gasped to myself as I tried not to die.
The rest of the day was more relaxed. We drove all the way to the point and around the other side. Here I was startled by an old mans naked white buttocks as he stood in his camp in the nude. Fortunately he wasn’t facing our way! We then headed up some dunes where Rick enjoyed himself rolling down the sides whilst filming for his Instagram followers. After this Peter gave Rick an unsolicited tutorial in setting up his awning alone. We spent time swimming and sunbathing until it was time to get back to camp to get dinner going. The tide was high necessitating a few bypasses of the beach. I attempted to film one of these but mostly filmed the dash and my legs as we bounced up and down. I was so traumatised by this that I opted out of Peter’s return attempt at the rock passage, choosing to one again struggle over on foot. After waiting for the obligatory stuck Ute, Rick and then Peter came flying up the hill. Peter was wide eyed, having absolutely floored it to avoid getting bogged. The beast had bounced out of the track and careened up the side of the dune, scattering spectators and showering Peter with sand.
After all this excitement we headed to Ocean Lake, a lovely tea tree pool. As we hesitantly inched into the cold, dark water a man already in chatted away loudly about all the horror movies he had seen where something unspeakable pulled you into the depths. Not helpful… however it was worth it for the refreshing dip.
Back at camp I had a baby wipe shower while Peter got the roast going. He’d carefully marinated the lamb and vacuum packed it with rosemary and garlic. This was popped into the pot on top of the Potjie King with some charcoal on top too. We added in some precooked veggies right at the end. The result was delicious despite the frosty wind that cooled it down quickly. Desert was profiteroles. I had to miss out due to the cream; lactose intolerance and pooping in a hole were not a good combination.
The Potjie King (pronounced poykie) Pre-marinated leg of lamb Camp oven on the go After 45 minutes
The thoughts of Shayne.