First post and trip to Fraser

1. Western beaches generally difficult to impossible to travel along.Eastern much nicer.
2. We don't use a generator, and don't know the rules.
3. As weather warms up, so do the insects. Best thing to do with the flies, is to swat them and then feed them to the fish in Eli Creek.
4. Hate jerrys when not needed. Fuel will be expensive, but readily available. I wouldn't bother to save 20 or 30 cents per litre.
5. Water available at many campgrounds.
6. Wouldn't bother with the powered canoe. Not sure if powered craft are allowed on any of the lakes.

All personal opinions.

Thanks Andrew, the more I can find out the better.
Keith and Sandra

Keith and Sandra

1. River Heads. Do you realise most barges brom Hearvey Bay you need to reverse on reverse off at set times. Have fun. Have only done in once in 15 visits. Usually go from Inskip Point - drive on and drive off no set times during the day - just line up - no rush down if the tides are wrong. Have always camped on the eastern side but have visited most of the Island. Manybe camping one night around Centrall Station would be good - although we like to set up in one spot for the week and just do day trips around.

2. We have used a generator for a number of years but we always camp on the beach. Usually no problem with generators especially if you camp away from the crowds.

3. Cant remember the March flies being around in October, definately there in May and January, Some of the other months we have been there for a visit. Usually no problems with sandflies on the eastern beach usually enough wind to prevent. With the march flies if present just wait till they land on you and hit them before they bite. Found they are attracted to blue.

4. Fuel consumption varies. If you have a week where you mainly have low tide during the day less fuel as you wont be in 4wd much on the hard sand. It all depends on where you camp and how much driving you do. Usually find Eurong or Orchid Beach cheaper than Catheralls but it has been 12 months since we have been - could have changed. We usually camp north of Dundabarra and would use more fuel than 60litres all depends on how much soft sand driving you do. Yes take the jerrys if you have space if not just pay the extra if you need. Some places in WA fueldwas $1.60 litre this was before the latest price increase - you just have to wear it.

5. We always take about 40 litres of drinking water for a week and take a number of buckets with lids to collect water from the many creeks. This water used for showers and washing. We are usually camped within 3 or so ks of a creek so replacing the water idaily or every second days not a problem.

6. Sorry no idea what a Coleman Scanoe is. So cant advise.

Enjoy the Island but remember you cant have a fire on the beach anymore unless you are camped in a designated camping ground like Waddy or Dundaburra- what a big bummer. Dont know how we will go on our next trip and that you must have all food secure in crates in trailer or tent or if on the ground straps around them- handles are not good enough and remember that swimming is not advised in the ocean only do so in the fresh water lakes.
Cheers

Thanks Robyn, thats the sort of info that helps, a scanoe is a conoe made by Coleman with a transom (back of the boat where the motor is bolted on), a bit more stable than most.
Keith and Sandra

Fraser Island info

Try here

Steve

1. Inskip Barge (Rainbow Beach) is better. Make sure go over at low tide so you can drive on the beach. The inland track from the barge drop off (from Inskip) is very corrugated and best avoided.

2. Used a Gen when camped on Eastern beach a few yrs ago now..check the rules now though.

3. Oct should be fly free. Maybe some sandies on Western side..not like summer though.

4. Take what fuel you can carry. Its a BIG Island, you'll need more than 60ltrs if you are going to explore.

5. Water is not hard to get if you need it. Take what you need.

6. If you really want to fish out of your scanoe... take it to a spot on the Western Side called "Ungowa" or "South White Cliffs" as it may also be known. This has fantastic fishing and is well protected from most winds, except westerlies. You can also camp here. Sandflies can be a problem in summer. There are some great creeks to explore. You will find Mangrove Jack, Estuary Cod, Threadfin Salmon, Bream. October will be a perfect time to target flathead around the flats and creeks here. Theres also an old barge that is home to a VERY large Maori Wrasse. If you snorkel, there are some good ledges of soft coral there too. Be wary of the current and avoid using your canoe in the channel, mid tide. We have caught Mackerel, Golden Trevally and Tuna here, also. If you take your Scanoe, I highly recommend a few days here...its is also well away from the tour buses and backpackers...you'll soon know what I mean... I love this spot so much that I named my boat after it... now you've got me itching to go again..damnit !!!..enjoy the Island

Thanks Steve, I've seen that one but do appreciate the post

ShnogDog, I keep hearing about great spots on the west side, what's Ungowa like for fishing without a boat? Would this be a good spot for a first camp?
Thanks
Keith and Sandra

ShnogDog,

I like the sound of your suggestions, think that will be our first stop, wasn't going to take the scanoe but the fishing sounds too good to pass up.

Thanks again

Keith and Sandra

Hi K & S

We have had a few trips to Fraser over the last couple of years and have been there in October (2003).... I can tell you the flies and the March flies are bad even then. BUT!! A bit of Bushmans or something fixes that and you get bused to swatting the March flies anyway..... We haven't camped on the west side, have seen Wathumba Creek, Moon Point and Sandy Point and Kingfisher, all beautiful places but he sand flies are horrendous... we found last visit, April 2005, that even the Bushmans wouldn't stop them! (Be careful with Bushmans if you haven't used it, some people can be very alleric to it and it isn't pretty then!!!) Would NEVER drive the west beach... too soft and dangerous.

The east beach has lots of camping areas and it wouldn't be hard to find a spot where your genny wouldn't worry others... fresh water is available at the towns etc... we filled up at Happy Valley and Eurong last time, Dundubara the time before etc... fuel is about 30 cents a litre dearer over there, to me it's no worth carrying jerries when I can buy it if I need it. we always top the tank up in Rainbow Beach before taking the barge from Inskip. The Inland track is a lot better now than it used to be, we towed our camper down it last trip and reached dizzying speeds of 30kph in places... :-)

The MOST important thing, no matter how experienced a camper you are, is to READ the ranger pack. They have rules in place for protection of the wildlife, and us humans... and for the protection of the Island. I have been amazed in the past at how many seasoned campers sook about the dingo's and the monitors and the crows when they are clearly disregarding what they have read, IF they read it! Fraser is there for all to enjoy, but we need to look after it!

Lastly, have a great holiday, it is, IMHO, one of the most beautiful places I have had the pleasure of visiting.

Hope this helps.