Wednesday, Oct 12, 2005 at 09:08
Hi again Keith & Sandra,
We try to go about 3 or 4 times each year. Some of those trips may be with several of our friends (about 3 or 4 other families), 1 trip each year we sail over and
camp on the north-western side somewhere between Wathumba Ck and Rooneys Point. (very remote and no other people).
But usually it is just myself, my wife and 3 kids (8, 13, & 15).
Our usual plan is to set up
camp behind the dunes near Cornwells Break Road about 6km north of
Eurong for 4 or 5 days. We do this beacause that gives us a day each at Lake Mckenzie,
Lake Wabby,
Central Station,
Eli Creek and a couple of other secret spots. We do this first because you can't go to Fraser with kids and not do the best bits.
Then we pack up
camp early and head north to
the spot at the
Ocean Lake track. This gives us time to duck in to
Lake Allom on the way as the kids love catching the freshwater turtles and having races with them back into the
water. (Don't tell anyone).
Once we have set up
camp that is when we really start to relax for the next 8 - 10 days. The kids usually want to go to
Sandy Cape every day as that is their favourite part of the Island. They enjoy walking to the lighthouse, sliding down the gigantic dune at the top of the island, but most of all the calm
water swimming and Trent likes to skurf behind the car up there too. It is also worth going back to the
Champagne Pools if it is not too windy but make sure you go at low tide.
As someone else has mentioned plan your day trips around the tides and head inland at high tide and do your beach
miles at low tide. Also keep your tyres at no more than 18 psi and let them down on the ferry on your way over. I have been running
mine at 15 psi for the last 18 years over there and have never had a puncture. Some years in the middle of summer the sand seems to change in the dry heat and turn into powder I have had to run them at 8 or 10 psi to get up to the top of the Island but most of the good old fun bits have board walks in them now so you won't have any problems.
As far as problems at the
campsite I certainly wouldn't leave any valuables at the
campsite but I have only ever seen and heard of problems in the regulated
camping areas. I have had a torch and my gas lights stolen when
camping at Lake Mckenzie once but we prefer
the beach camping now anyway.
One word of caution though is don't underestimate what the Dingoes are capable of. Your food won't even be secure in the tent as they will just rip it open to get it. We keep all of our food and fridge permanently in the car now and just take it with us wherever we go. I have also personally intervened when a
dingo was pouncing and biting a 6 y.o girl while she was trying to run about 300 metres up
the beach to her father. They seem to have no fear of kids and some have very little fear of women so I am always aware of where Julie and the kids are and especially keep alert when they are going to the
toilet at night. Julie was approached and growled at one night. If you do have problems like that though just take note of the Tag on the
Dingo and advise the rangers as they know them all and when one starts to become a problem they remove it. I have not had a problem since they started to cull them a few years ago though. Really though they are not a problem. It is just like going up north with the croc's. There are just certain things you don't do and you are not really at any risk.
Give me a yell if you would like to know anything else but talking to you has given me itchy feet and wishing I was there now.
Have fun mate,
Brett
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