Go North Young Man!

Leaving Hervey bay, we started the trail Northward. As we went it seemed to me that for ages, every road we passed to the left was to Biggenden. I never made it to Biggenden during our stay in Maryborough, but the name always amused me (the school we worked at was on the road to Biggenden  - or should I say one of the roads to Beggenden, as it seems that all roads lead to Biggenden! - or roads with leftward tendencies anyway) I thought it would be great to live in Biggenden, then I could be a biggen from Biggenden. Alas, not to be. I'll just have to be a biggen from some other place in stead

We ended up that night in a spot just out of Yeppoon, which is just out of Rockhampton, and pitched our tent (Camper trailer) with the Vista above out our window. Not too shabby I thought.

I know that there is something witty to say about a town named Yeppoon, but its just not coming. Perhaps you can think of what it is. Maybe we could have a limerick competition... Just keep it seamly!

Hervey Bay

Not too much to say here...
We cought up with friends around about and enjoyed some scrumptious pan cakes (thanks Jonathan!)

We also caught a very nice sunset on the beach. (Made us think of Darwin, which to my mind is the sunset capital of the world)

Fraser Island Finale!

We have come to the end of our Fraser Island escapades, with barely any catastrophes to report. (I know, it does not sound like us at all - I did say barely... We did boil the engine, pushing her a bit hard through the soft sand at Indian Head - but she calmed down again after a cup of tea and a lie down and we did get a bit stuck at one point on the first day - but not really really stuck)

To really get really really stuck, you need to be back on the mainland. Not that far on the mainland, in fact only 50 meters off the barge on Rainbow beach in full view of all the other 4WD diehards behind us (Of course we would be first off the rank!)

 With the Ute completely bellied with about 200 meters of soft sand in front of me, it was looking like a long afternoon of shovelling sand.

Some young bucks in a Landcruser had a go at pulling us out with a snatch strap but they were not strong enough. It took a bloke named Ashley in his you beaut NISSAN Patrol to do the job (and at one stage it was looking like that would not do it either - but he did. Thanks Ashley!)

Fraser Island Day 3 & 4 - Dingos, donuts and the beach

As we snuggled in bed for our second night there was a call in a thick European accent that echoed throughout the camp "Help Dingos Help". Of course I went running with a broomstick in hand.  Two German lads were convinced that a dingo was circling their tent, eyeing them for dinner.  I let them borrow my broomstick for the night.  (Personally, I think it was rats - they were certainly climbing up our walls)  Time to leave the forest I think.

The next morning we went down to Eurong.  The bakery there had the yummiest jam donuts and hot chocolate.  Tanya was able to sit on a picnic table and do some work (signal again).  After that was out of the way, we drove down 70 mile beach and had a good look at the campsites and attractions along the way.  We moved camp the next night to one of these camp sits.  The waves crash in.  There's a fresh water creek (Eli Creek) that you can swim in.  At the end of 75 Mile Beach (even though it is 58 miles) you come to Indian Head.  Here I saw some whales migrating.  Poor Tan was too slow.  You could also see some sharks, turtles and stingrays.  No dolphins this time. 

Also along the beach was the remains of a ship called 'The Maheno'.  It was grounded in 1935 when an unexpected cyclone hit. 

Although the beach was fantastic we did keep venturing back into the bush to enjoy the canapy and bird songs.

Just some more shots from daily life.  What do you think of Tanya's office chair?

Fraser Island Day 2

The day started with bacon and eggs thanks to Steve.  Then on went the hiking boots.  We were about to find out how unfit we had become.  We went up to Central Station and took a walk to Basin Lake.  (yes we are very unfit).  We walked through a tall, green rainforest.  With the morning light filtering through all you could do was relax and be in awe of God.  Basin Lake was beautiful and we got phone signal.  We took a walk around the lake.  We found heaps of tiny flowers that you could hardly see that the macro lens was put to work with.  That afternoon we took a drive to Lake McKenzie.  Beautiful white sand and we had the whole place to ourselves.  There are some bonuses to travelling in Winter.

Fraser Island

 We are away for our 6 month adventure (Maybe a year, maybe 2!)

First stop - Fraser Island.  It is just off the coast from Maryborough. We crossed over at Rainbow Beach. A short 10 min barge trip and its engage 4WD for a sandy adventure. (Within 20 min we needed the help of four hefty fellows to push us out of soft sand - Oops Note to self, maintain momentum and keep the revs up!) We sent the first night camping in the rainforest at the Central Station camping ground