Fraser Island 7/10/11

Another early start this morning for our trip across to Fraser Island. Originally we were going to take the camper across to Fraser Island and stay at the Kingfisher Resort. But a few things swayed our minds from doing this. Firstly the Queensland Department of Parks & Wildlife, also known as the 'Department of Sparks and Wildfires' were performing a controlled burn-off which got out of control, put it this way, five days on it is still alight and smoking, so much so it can be seen from Hervey Bay. the second factor was the we didn't know what to expect of the tracks around Fraser Island. Hence we took a one day tour with Fraser Explorer Tours. The guide was quite knowledgeable and informative, i am sure he had many of the overseas tourists scratching their heads with his dry sense of humour. It was a bit of reconisance for me, and now I have a much better idea o what to expect when we return in the future. We were taken to Central station (the original loggers village), Wanggoolba Creek (renown for its purity of its water), then up along the 75 mile beach which was like Bourke Street Melbourne prior to the Mall going in. Along the 75 mile beach we stopped at the Pinnacles, the wreck of the Maheno, and the family favorite, Eli Creek. Unfortunately due to the area around Lake Makenzie and the King Fisher Bay Resort being closed due to the fires, it was extremely busy at Eli Creek, as can be seen by the attached photo. Paula thought it looked hilarious.
Lunch was had at Eurong Beach Resort before heading of not to Lake Mackenzie, but another Lake for a freshwater swim, I will add the correct name when I think of it, after all I am on holidays!
All in all, we all really liked Fraser Island and will seriously contemplate coming back onto the Worlds Largest Sand Island for a longer stay, even if it is free camping along the beach.