Trip Report – Fraser Island 23, 24, 25 & 26 Jan 2010

We started off early Saturday morning (and by early, I mean real early!) and it is an all Nissan trip. Meeting at the Yandina round about at 3.30am we set off for the week end.
In attendance was Mike, Jackie, Tash, Kyle, Big Rod, Paula, Sonya, Mick, Nick, Trace and Beth.

After a bleary eyed drive we arrived at Rainbow beach and stopped to let the tyres down, stretch our legs and chat to the Inskip campers.
Out to the barge we go with Nick in the lead, but this was only short lived! With the sand so powdery and such a heavy load, the big nissy went down in the sand up to the side steps! With Kev to the rescue pulling us out with a few goes, it is one for the Toyota’s and we hadn’t even left yet!

Once arriving on Fraser it was a good trip up the beach and to the camping areas. Many of the camp grounds have been closed due to Dingo activity so we had to go to the Winnam camp ground just south of Happy Valley.
After setting up camp we headed to Lake Garawongera as it was nice and close, and the track is a bit of fun to drive with a few step ups and tree roots. Back to camp in the arvo and happy hour on the dunes enjoying the cool breeze but not the march flies!

Sunday morning a few got up early to enjoy the sunrise over the beache then we headed to lake McKenzie. Must have left at the wrong time as there were so many troopies on the track slowing things right down. Spent the morning there, swimming and enjoying the beautiful scenery, and left just when it was getting really busy and the car park was a huge traffic jam.
Goosey clan were heading home that arvo so they left Nick and Big Rod to head over to Kingfisher Bay for a look around and a bite to eat. We had planned to get back to camp at around 3pm, with a stop at Eli, but many bogged cars, ambulance and tow trucks later.... we got back at 4.30! None of our crew involved in any of this of course.

Monday was another glorious day on the Island and we visited Ocean Lake, Middle rocks and the champagne pools, and Eli Creek before heading back to camp. We had picked up some Pippis on the way and cooked them up on the BBQ for a snack. Very tasty... definitely have those again.

Tuesday, (Happy Australia Day!) We got up and packed up the camps and headed to Eli creek for the morning to get in one last float down the creek. Big Rod thought it would be a good idea to take the van and have an Aussie BBQ breaky at Eli creek. We arrived a bit later to find him bogged in the soft sand awaiting our arrival! After some tricky manoeuvres, double snatch, front snatch and then rear snatch, and about 30 mins he was out and cooking up a feast on the BBQ!

Unfortunately it was time to head home and back to work and school so we took off at around 11.30 and made our way to the barge.
A great trip on Fraser, as usual, and a great time had by all! Thank you!
Nick and Trace