THE WORLD'S LARGEST SAND ISLAND:
Jumping For Joy.
Hi again. This is the 3rd and final part of my Fraser Island adventure. So, hopefully you've already read Part 1 & Part 2 of my Fraser Island Guide. If for some strange reason you haven't yet indulged, then you may find them here. Otherwise, scroll down for the final chapter.
DAY 1:FRASER ISLAND-75 Mile Beach, Maheno Shipwreck, Dingoes
DAY 2:FRASER ISLAND- Lakes Mackenzie & Birrabeen, Goannas
FRASER ISLAND DAY 3.
OVERCAST DAY AHEAD:
The storm which had raged most of the night had subsided by the time we woke. We still held hopes of making it to the northern tip of the island before lunch. We needed to get the tides correct so that we could get back down the beach again to make it to the overland tracks for our 3pm barge. But it wasn't to be. We drove down to the beach and found the sea was up much farther than it should have been due to the storm.
YIDNEY ROCKS: (not my pics)
Mildly optimistic we attempted the first part of the journey heading North, but to no avail. It quickly became apparent that there was no way we would be able to make it around the point at Yidney Rocks. Many vehicles had met their demise here at the hands of overconfident or incompetent drivers. We decided not to risk it.
PASSING YIDNEY ROCKS AT LOW TIDE:
TRYING TO PASS YIDNEY ROCKS AT HIGH TIDE:
WE DIDN'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THIS:
OR THIS:
BACK ON THE INLAND TRACK:
LAKE WOBBY TO KINGFISHER BAY THEN WANGGOOLBA CREEK.
The only option for us was to get off the beach and take the inland tracks through the centre of the island. We still had a few hours to kill, so we headed towards Kingfisher Bay Eco-Resort. We were already a little way up the beach so we took the more direct track from just North of Lake Wobby. After Having lunch at Kingfisher Bay we needed to then head south on another track to Wanggoolba Creek where we would get the return barge to go home.
CHOPPED UP TRACKS AFTER THE RAIN.
The overnight storm had made several of the sandtracks boggy, and a bit rough going. Small trees had fallen across some of the paths, however usually it just required somebody to jump out and move it. Until we got to this one!
FALLEN TREE BLOCKING OUR PATH.
It was too big for us to move. Even when another vehicle arrived, 3 grown men couldn't hope to drag it out of the way. If we couldn't clear it, it would mean a long trip back through the centre of the island to find another way round. We didn't have an axe to chop it with. But what we did have was a "snatch" strap.
THE VERY USEFUL SNATCH STRAP.
This handy little device can be attached on one end to your vehicle and the other end can be wrapped around pretty much anything you need to pull. They are often used on Fraser for pulling cars which have become stuck in the sand. Today we would be using it to pull a tree.
DRAGGING THE TREE OUT OF THE WAY.
We reversed back and slowly pulled the tree to one side of the path so we could get past. We contacted the local Ranger shortly after so they could come and cut it into smaller pieces to be moved.
KINGFISHER BAY ECO-RESORT:
Kingfisher Bay Resort overlooks the Great Sandy Strait on the western side of the island. The resort opened in 1992 and has become well-known for setting benchmarks in ecotourism, which have been used by ecotourism worldwide. The resort has won nine Queensland and six Australian Tourism Awards. We didnt' stay here this trip, as we preferred to be on the other side of the island, but I have stayed here before and was very impressed. It is possible to visit and stay in the resort without requiring a 4wd vehicle.
A MODEL OF THE MAHENO RESIDES IN THE LOBBY.
When I first started coming to Fraser Island as a child, there was nothing on the inside of the island. A lot of people were concerned of the effect that Kingfisher Bay would have on the area. Here we are 25 years later, and I can say they have done an excellent job of maintaining the environment. From the water you can barely notice the resort and the colours and styles blend with the local landscape. According their website:
"Kingfisher Bay was designed to integrate with the environment - not impose upon it."
LOCAL FLORA.
The wooden structures all have curving tin roofs which are said to imitate the rolling sand dunes on Fraser Island. Earthy colours such as greens and browns all blend with natural vegetation well.
DESIGNED TO SUIT NATURE.
All the buildings are limited to 2 levels to keep them below the tree line, and are built to fit around the existing trees and nature. Most of the resort is built on elevated platforms so as to have minimal impact on the dune system below it. Buildings are designed to use minimal energy through clever air induction techniques to make heating and cooling rooms unnecessary.
NATIVE FLOWERS IN BLOOM.
Existing vegetation on the site was protected as much as possible. Several thousands of plants were removed prior to construction and grown temporarily in an on-site nursery to be ready for replanting later.
EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK THERE ARE DIFFERENT NATIVE SPECIES.
The success of re-vegetation projects in the area can be judged by the abundance of wildflowers and native birds and wildlife nesting and feeding in the bush around the resort. There is a very pleasant nature walk through the peet-swamp to the beach.
RELAXING STROLL ON THE BOARDWALK.
There is also a local dingo population a short way up the beach, however we didn't see them this time. On my last trip a dingo pup stole one of my shoes and was having a good chew on it when I found him.
BE RESPONSIBLE TOURISTS.
THE END:
As the storms clouds opened up and the rain set in, it was time for us to leave this magical island and head back to the mainland, to bitumen roads and traffic lights. 3 days is just enough to scratch the surface of the island, but its long enough to leave you wanting for more. I'm already planning my next trip back. :)
Here is a short video we made of driving on the island. You will see its lots of fun :)
You can view all my Fraser Island pics here: Fraser Island Album
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