Fraser Island Re-opens

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You are right about the tracks Stephen but I don't have details. Maybe next week.
However, most visitors do not leave the Eastern beach anyway.

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Thanks Stephen. And Seasons Greetings to you and Fiona also.
In fact, Seasons Greeting to all EO Forumites too.

I am not one to push my luck so we are not congregating with wider family this year so it will be a bit strange.

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When Roz first went to Fraser with a bushwalking group in the mid 60's there was no barge. The barge began in 1968.
They were taken across by a boat and did not see another soul for the two weeks stay.
Can you imagine how pristine it was then?
We have chosen our visit times carefully in recent years.

Allan,

So many stories like that from the people who were lucky enough to visit the special places years ago.

I think I was born a couple of decades too late.

Read a story the other day about one of the pioneer conservationists who led the fight against the sand mining and then logging on Fraser.

His son said the old man had warned that saving the island from the tourists might be as big a problem.

Cheers.

FIDO (Fraser island Defenders Organisation) was started by John Sinclair and others in the 60’s because of the rampant sand mining and logging. It was far from pristine back than.

Dad 1340
I first drove there myself in 1976/77 & hardly saw a soul the whole time. I think back then it was Happy Valleys resort's concrete pool was broken in half some on the beach (beach erosion ) was the only bit of garbage we saw (a bit big to pick up) & guy in an old 4x4 truck drove along the beach & sold ice to the campers it’s a lot easier to get north of Indian head now, a friend of mine was the light house keeper there once, some travellers here may also know him from Portland Roads Cape York he retired there until he passed (Ross Pope). On the drive up from Noosa/Tewantin on the beach there use to be the bubbling springs (fresh water) & at the end was the cherry venture, I stayed on board several times with the couple who were living on it. Now there’s nothing left of it & that sand dune to go over to get to rainbow beach (on bar treads) was all preparation for getting on & of Gordon Elmer’s barge
I have not been to Frazer for several years & yes it has changed but all in all I think it has changed the least of all the popular 4wd destinations

That was Orchid beach resort that lost their pool and stairs during the cyclone in 77. You and I have chatted about Ross on the lighthouse page - Gday!
I have a pic of myself in the 70's half submerged in the bubbling springs at Teewah - thanks for reminding me. Great times.

Gbc
I have the same photo in the bubbling springs & you could not sink, some where I have a photo of a land rover nose into those bubbling springs. Could you imagen getting loaded on Elmer's barge like he use to where you use to drive on & he would put a tire between your vehicle & the wall if you were 1st on & then next tire between your tow bar/chassis & the next 4wd would drive into it & so on, not many could handle that these days. Your wright they were great times no need to book, hardly any fees just turn up & mainly only the keen & prepared

Ah yes: the Orchid Beach resort.

Many are the times we would rise up from beach camping and seek a beer at the resort. We'd listen to the clinking of glasses and catch occasional glimpses of well dressed people inside.

Our beer was dispensed by a disembodied hand appearing through a small hole in an outside wall. To add insult to injury it was usually Southwark!

I wasn't at all unhappy when the place was bought out and abandoned.

George_M

Oop's, we were driving FJ40's, 350 short block Chevs with Holley Carbs and a ground down cam profile to bring the torque in earlier. The swap was done in Brisbane on the way through. The biggest custom radiator I've seen in a 4WD. Ahh youthful days ....

Cheers

You drove through Wathumba creek? Or back on the fire track to the south side? Mum and Dad were friend’s of the Mathiesens. On school holidays were were allowed to camp at moon point on our own as long as we showed up and proved we were alive to Noel on the barge each day and he’d relay the good news to the old man haha. I would love to afford my boys the same leniency, some of the best times of our lives. I also had a a v8 shorty - BJ 40 with a 302. Fuel range was always an issue. As was the Holley flooding or starving on hills!

No; across the inlet which could be done at the time and also there wasn't any southern fire trail in those times. The last I can recall of the inlet the crossing dried on DEAD low and the route was close to the salt. Secondly, I feel pretty sure the barge owners name was spelt 'Matheson' Scotts derivative not Scandinavian. Maybe others may remembers, we are only going back 100 years or so ;)

Cheers

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Only two camp zones are closed due to "increased dingo activity" but are scheduled to reopen on 2nd of January. Despite at least one report that they have already reopened, the official National Park booking site still has them closed. All other sites are heavily booked. No eastern beach camping zones have been affected by the fires.
Certainly this makes a small reduction in people able to camp on the island but there is no quota on day trippers. It is still likely to be busier than usual in the coming weeks.

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You may well be right Rumpig.
Just got an early report from my son......... "Only 4 people at Lake McKenzie when we visited yesterday".
Maybe no-one wants to go inland?

I’ve seen Facebook posts from Kingfisher and Cathedrals etc saying they have vacancies due to cancellations, and we were there in September with the reduced camper numbers due to COVID....I expect overall numbers to be down, but surprised to hear it’s that quiet though.

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I don't know what time of day that visit was though.
Could well be busier at other times.

It will get much much busier on Boxing Day you’d have to think, but does make me wonder how busy it normally is there a week or 2 before Xmas....might be a good time to go there

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Yes, I think many prefer to have Christmas day at home, then leave for hols.
Won't be able to report on that as Son will leave the island on the 24th.
It is sobering to realise you have raised a child smarter than yourself! lol

"It is sobering to realise you have raised children smarter than yourself! "

Don't I know it!!!

Both my kids are whips. That girl who fell for the embroidered seats in the HK Holden Brougham in the early 70's can take the credit. Lol