Fraser Island Day 1

There are many different ways that you can tour Fraser Island the most popular of which is the self drive 4x4 safari, where you get crammed into Toyota Landcruiser with nine other people and get sent off to the Island with a dodgy map and a few tents. Although this might sound fun, we heard some bad things so we opted for the 4x4 bus tour staying in lodges fully catered (sound expensive but once you added in all the stealth costs for the self drive it was about the same and we had hot showers!).

On day one we had to get up ridiculously early at about 6am to get the ferry over to the Island.

Once on the Island we met our ranger guide Craig (a kiwi bloke who used to work on the Franz Josef glacier) on the jetty and it was straight to our first job - making badges with our names on and decorating them to look nice. The best badge would win a jug of beer.

With badges stuck to our jumpers it was off to our first stop the Basin lake. Because that Fraser Island is made entirely of sand even the roads it was a little hard going, with even the road out of the resort being termed the rollacoaster.

We had a short walk from the bus down to Basin lake in which to regain our land legs after a bus journey that felt more like a rough boat ride. Then we saw the lake it looked amazing with dark yet clear water and bright white sand.

From Basin lake we had a 45 minute walk to central station for our lunch. The walk took us through the forest and along a stream so clear you could bearly see the water. Once at central station we found Craig who had set out the most amazing buffet lunch for us (catering for more like 50 than 13).

After lunch we embarked on another was through the forest of pile valley to see the oldest, widest tree on the Island ufortunately we managed to walk straight past it with knowing which one it was.



Our final stop of the day was at lake McKenzie. This lake was simple breathtaking with it dark blue water and it contrasting white sand it looked like a true piece of paradise, only spoilt by the large number of people on the beach. Although I was ready with swimmers in my bag I chickened out on going for a dip as the water and the air were just a little too cold for me.

After we finished taking in the sites of the lake we when back to the picnic around for afternoon tea where much to our delight we had our first dingo sight which excited two English girls on our tour no end.

On the way back to the resort Craig announced the best badge and amongst some confusion Samantha told me it was me but much to my later disapointment it turn out to be one of the English girls Helen.

Strangly after a large buffet dinner and a few beers everyone went to bed around 9pm.