Hervey Bay

Wednesday 24 July

This morning we were picked up by a shuttle bus for a tour around Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island (123km long and 22km at it's widest). The bus arrived at our caravan park at 7:25 and took us to the ferry for the 30 minute crossing of the small stretch of water that would be very difficult to navigate because of the moving sand banks in the area. Once on Fraser Island  we were picked up by a 4WD bus to begin our days tour.

The first point of call was Central Station, an area formerly used as the lodging place for the timber industry that once cut trees on the island. Mike, our bus driver and tour guide, was very funny and mixed his sense of humour with a great knowledge of the island. On our short walk we descended down into a gully where a freshwater creek flowed. The water on the island is so clear it is not possible to see it in a photograph and because it flows over sand you cannot hear it either. For this reason they are called the invisible creeks.

Lake McKenzie

Our next stop was Lake McKenzie where we stopped for a swim. The water was a little chilly but we had come prepared and had bought our wetsuits. Mike had told us that when we got out of the water and dried off our skin would feel softer and hair feel like it had been conditioned and if we rubbed some wet sand over our skin it would exfoliate it because the

sand grains are round instead of sharp. He was right on all of these things, it was amazing!

Maheno Shipwreck 

We boarded the bus and arrived for lunch at Eurong Resort. Thomas was very happy as it was a buffet lunch and had both hot and cold foods.

After lunch we boarded the bus again to drive along Fraser Island's highway, 75 Mile Beach (which is only 73 miles long). Along here we saw the Coloured Sands, Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek. We learnt about the Maheno which used to be a luxury liner for many years before being converted to a hospital ship during WW2 and then back again before ending up on 75 Mile Beach after being towed during a cyclone. Declan had a lot of fun at Eli Creek, running along the boardwalk and hopping into the water and letting the current bring him back down to the beach.

On our way back off the island after an enjoyable day, our bus started to vibrate before the back dropped down. It felt like we had dropped into a hole but the wheel nuts had worked their way loose and the back tyre had fallen off. Another bus was quickly called and after making sure a 4WD behind the bus could get past us, we boarded the second bus and continued on our way back to the ferry. Unfortunately we missed the best part of the sunset but it was still pretty good.