Fraser Island October 2019 Part 3
Fraser Island October 2019
Day 3
Ocean Lake (Zone 8), Middle Rocks, Indian Head bypass, The Pinnacles (inland track), Woralie Creek.
Coongul Creek (creek crossing required), Moon Point, Lake Allom, Knifeblade Sandblow and then back to Ocean Lake.
We woke up lateish on Day 3; it was our lucky day as Amanda made us pancakes for breakfast complete with maple syrup. We then got ready for an epic drive. We headed south down the beach for an hour or so before cutting across an inland track across the island. Our beach drive was enlivened by a small plane landing on the beach. Usually an area is cordoned off for this but as I filmed the plane got closer… and closer… and closer – Peter guided Big Betty just about into the surf and I said a bad word as the plane scrapped by.
The inland track passed through a beautiful rainforest. It made for very serene driving apart from all the jolting. Excitement was added by a hairy Patrol driver who floored it toward us just as the two way track narrowed to a one way. He responded to our wave to slow down by revving away faster. What a noob. The western side of the island was well worth the long drive with white sand, turquoise water and a crystal clear creek running down the beach. We took the opportunity to sit in the freezing creek water and chat. After a few hours of fun in the sun we drove along the beach to check out the camping spots for future. As we drove by the water’s edge I saw a plump whiskery head bob up. We radioed the others to come back as we checked out a dark shape in the surf. “It’s a rock.” Peter stated. “It’s not a rock, it’s got a tail!” I replied indignantly. Just then the rock popped its head up again – it was in fact a tubby dugong!
It was a long drive back to camp. We stopped briefly at Lake Allom hoping to encounter terrapins and have little dip. However we, like the terrapins, were scared away by a tribe of mulleted, screaming children splashing in the shallows. We opted instead to check out the massive sand blow where the boys argued over camera settings. We hit the beach again just after high tide. Our one hour drive there extended to nearly two back as we ploughed through the thick sand. Big Betty seemed disinclined to follow anyone else’s tracks, bouncing about wilfully and happier to make her own way. As we drove our radio crackled to life. We were then treated to the saga of a band of mates on our frequency trying to find Orchid Beach and the servo, apparently all keen for a cold one. I was tempted to ask them to get me one if they ever got there. Last we heard one of them was saying “Oh well this looks like a pub at least,” so all’s well that ends well!
We got back to camp and Amanda and Rick kindly offered me the use of their shower. I stood on the mat in my bikini while Rick intermittently pumped scorching water at me, with pauses to soap up. It was amazing to get the salt and sand off but definitely gave me a newfound appreciation for my daily shower at home! After these outdoor ablutions we had the best dinner yet; borewors (a curly South African sausage) on the Potjie King with potato bake and cauliflower bake thanks to Amanda, reheated over charcoal in Peter’s new contained fire pit. This also provided much appreciated heat.
Day 4
Ocean Lake (Zone 8) back to Hook Point and then Inskip Point. Rainbow Beach back to Sunshine Coast.
I found myself awake at 5:00am on our last day, thanks to two scraggly crows who had taken a liking to our campsite. I had intended to see the sunrise at some point so forced myself out of bed. Further down the beach several fisherman were already settled in. As the sun rose a whale flapped its flippers close to shore.
After this though it was back to the sweaty reality of packing up. The bedding put up a fight – it never seemed possible to get it back into the bags the way it had come out. The process was prolonged by the fact that I had carefully completely filled in the toilet hole the day prior not realising that Peter had dug a deeper one to avoid shifting it daily. He was not best pleased to have to do just that!
On the drive back we joined a large convoy all taking advantage of low tide. There was even a man in a full suit riding his dirt bike down the beach. We considered stopping to cool off at Eli Creek however when we saw how crowded it was we realised it would likely be 90% pee and opted out of that! After waiting in the very long queue we made it back to the mainland, stopping only for a swim in the shallows and a tasty pie at the Rainbow Beach bakery. We parted ways with Rick and Amanda and set off for home where Peter would spend a few hours carefully removing sand from every crevice of Big Betty.
The thoughts of Shayne.
