Advice on Travelling around on Fraser Island
Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 17:32
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Taylor
Hi! We are new to Australia - only been here 5 months - and have decided to go
camping at
Waddy Point for 4 or 5 days.
I do have some questions though!
Our vehicle is a Mitsubishi Delica 4wd Turbo intercooler 2800, Deisel. Any advice in terms of amount of fuel to take with? We have 2 Jerry cans as emergency supplies - I believe one can purchase fuel close to
Orchid Beach?
The route to take - based on the previous postings, the Inskip barge point seems to be the best point of access - driving directly on and off. How long will the drive take to
Waddy Point from
Hook point? And what would be the recommended route to take? Areas that might prove difficult to traverse?
All the literature I have read seems to indicate that generators are not permitted, we have gas stove, fridge/freezer, lamps, etc. We also have the neccessary compressor for
wheels, etc. We have the recovery-kit, tyre repair kit, first-aid kit.....anything we need to specifically pack for the AUS experience. we do not know all the insects, and thingies that inhabit the island - we have mozzie coils and Bushman spray as repellent.
We have the time table for the tides for
Waddy Point - does this include the whole of Fraser Island as
well?
I'd appreciate the feedback - we are leaving in the next couple of days!
Reply By: gordy1964 - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 17:56
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 17:56
Hi Taylor, lucky bugger, wish I was going.
You will love the drive from Inskip to waddy, at dropping tide, approx 1.5 hrs after high, you will have a good run along the bottom of the island around
hook point and a nice run up
the beach. At this time of tide you will be able to drive around the various rocky outcrops that would force you on inland tracks at higher tide.
if you allow two hours driving to
Indian head, would be about good travel, here is wher the fun starts.
Indian head on a good day will see it like a
parking lot and you may drive straight through, other wise it is one big sand trap, waiting to suck the inexperienced 4wdriver in. reduce tyre pressure to around 16psi and in say hi2 /3 hit it at about 20kmh - DO NOT STOP and all is good, one more
hill just down
the beach like that to go and you are on your way to Waddy and paradise.
Dont woory too much about the wildlife, unless you intend to sit naked on
the beach for extended periods.
Have a great stay,
Gordy
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - John (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 17:59
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 17:59
Waddy is a good spot. No fires but fire rings i think. Gennys frowned on but use them if nobodys around. You won't need the fuel jerries, take
water. Fuel at orchid store along with
water, bread, milk etc
Depending on how heavy ladden you are - Keep the tyre pressures down when coming in or off beach to about 18psi - 16 if real soft but for the run up
the beach from Hook keep them in the 20's after the soft soft around barge and Hook Pt
Inskip is the go - pick the ferry which u can drive on drive off. Ask ferry operator how Hook Pt is - it is usually OK and an easy run - follow
the beach straight to Waddy - takes about 2/3 hrs if I remember. Speed limit 80k up beach.
Don't leave food out for dingos and secure esky etc if away for the day.
Bushmans keep everything away but have found the new Raid candle insect pads burning thingos to be very good at night
All tides are safe enough to work off Waddy
Great fishing
Take a shovel
JC
AnswerID:
129919
Follow Up By: Taylor - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 18:31
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 18:31
Thanx for the quick replies! We're really looking forward to it and the advice makes it easier to plan!
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 18:45
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 18:45
The above posts say it all. I prefer to use low range second and not rev the crap outta my engine on soft sand, but I am not sure what the Delica will do. (Have never been in one, but have heard very good things about them!)
The ONE thing I will say is this.
Take the info from the rangers about the wildlife and READ IT!!!!! and follow it to the letter! And then you won't have any drama's.
We ALWAYS stick to the "rules" and have never had any problems, but others, camped right beside us haven't been quite so diligent and then find they are "targeted".
Take care and have a great trip.... Fraser Ilsand is a paradise with lots to do and see. Enjoy it!!
AnswerID:
129922
Follow Up By: Taylor - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:02
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:02
Thanx everyone! Now if you can just point me in the right direction in terms of tides and where that info is available......then we're heading 4 paradise it seems!
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Follow Up By: Member - Johno (Gold Coast) - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:17
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:17
Hi Taylor,
Browniescoastwatch.com for tides, just choose the boating link and find the qld tides link.
Johno
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Reply By: Member - Jack - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:20
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:20
Tide times - Queensland
Enjoy Fraser Island. I am up there mid October with a mate. Love the place.We usually stay at Dundubara, but might head further north this trip.
Jack
AnswerID:
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Reply By: the real chopper - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:28
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:28
I'd give myself more time after the high tide before attempting hook pt. If the wind is up, you can sometimes wait until 4hrs after high before it is really passable.
There is the inland road, it is being repaired (slowly) and is currently closed part way (I think at the 11km mark) that means that you can still use it to skip the worst of
hook point, and get back out on
the beach.
a couple of tips
1. when passing oncoming traffic, indicate the side that you will move to with your blinkers.
2. be diligent with food and scraps, we have noone but ourselves to blame for
dingo attacks.
3. when on the inland tracks, travel at a speed that is comfortable for you, but be aware of vehicles operating on stricter timelines, and move over for them.
4. watch out for drunk fishermen!
Have a blast
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Robyn J (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:34
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 20:34
Hope you are booked into
Waddy Point it is Qld school holidays and maybe booked out. You can buy supplies on the island but at a price. Remember to take your booze with you because the costs on the island will make you a non drinker for the week. Enjoy -this will be the first time I havent been to Fraxer in 17 years normally go once a uear but then I did have 3 months in Wa - you do have to pay a price.
Cheers
AnswerID:
129949
Reply By: ShnogDog - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 21:25
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 21:25
previous posts have just about covered it all. With regards to wildlife, there is a
Ranger stationed at
Waddy point. Talk to them about the Dingoes and
Brumbies (Wild horses). Is a good idea not to swim in the ocean. I have seen many large sharks around
Indian Head and
Waddy Point. Just take a look at some of the photo's at the
Orchid Beach shop, or even better, just spend some time up high on
Waddy Point or
Indian head, and you're bound to spot a few "Noah's". You can swim at
Ocean lake which is about 10mins north of
Orchid Beach. Its fresh
water too. I also learnt that
Orchid Beach has the highest concentration of Funnel Web Spiders on the planet !!! Although I've never seen one. I learnt this after I'd been sleeping in a swag under a tarp, for a week !!!
In all seriousness, the only creatures I would be really worried about on Fraser are a species certain of mammal. They travel in packs.. usually about 8 or 10... we call them back packers. They wear sandals and have a knack of designating command of their hired vehicle.. usually a troop carrier.. to the worst driver they could possibly find in all their global travel. If you see them coming.. give them a really wide berth... and if you do get stuck.. dont expect them to help... wait for the next Aussie to come past.. you'll be fine.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Taylor - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 21:36
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 21:36
Thanx!
We ARE booked into the
campsite, and now I'll sleep quite lightly despite my arachnaphobia, knowing that
the beach is controlled by the funnel-webs, the sea by the sharks, the
trails by the backpackers, the rocks by drunken fishermen and the rest shared between the Dingos and
Brumbies!!! Truly Paradise, can't wait!!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Robyn J (QLD) - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 22:11
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 22:11
Taylor
Dont forget there is a bag limit on "Tailor" caught on Fraser if you are into fishing as
well as a fishing closure for all fishing from south of Indian Heads to North of
Waddy Point from August to September. The only thing regarding wildlife that people forgot to tell you about is to keep a eye out to sea to see the whales they give you a great view either just motoring along or teaching their
young how to jump and tail flap. Have spent many a hour just watcdhing out to sea. Always
camp on
the beach so get to gaze out to see a lot.
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Reply By: brian - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 21:56
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 21:56
You might just have to be on the
lookout for naked sweedish backpacker girls at lake mackenzie we had some ask if they could share our shade last trip...i thought about it for not long a great place make sure you go to lake mackenzie..........
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Derek - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 22:52
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2005 at 22:52
Hi Taylor
My family and I are leaving
Brisbane tomorrow (14th) for Fraser for 10 days. We hope to be on the barge by around 11 am and will be staying on
the beach somewhere near the track up to
Happy Valley. I have a royal blue 80 series cruiser and a van and you're welcome to drop in for a yarn. I used to have a 4wd L300 van and was a 4wd driver trainer for several years so I may be able to pass some ideas on. Otherwise, use common sense and enjoy the holiday.
Derek
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Scoey - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005 at 14:08
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005 at 14:08
Basically everythings covered in the above posts but just be careful -
dingo's can open eskies, rip cheap tents etc to get to food and they will. I was lucky enough to be relieved of and esky full of meat, had my mates tent torn (I saw the funny part in that at least) and copped a ticket from the
ranger for "feeding" the wildlife (but i think she might've just been at the end of a bad day). Don't be paranoid, just be careful (eg don't just close eskies or food containers - lock them somehow). Great place to visit tho' - you'll love it! ;-)
Scoey
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