Fraser Island

You could try the Champagne Pools, located between Indian Head and Waddy Point, or Lake Birrabeen. Birrabeen is a little harder to get to, which means fewer visitors. Of course you can "surf" down Eli Creek all day, which is fun if you have a li-lo or similar. Ocean Lake, about 6km north of Orchid Beach is nice, but the water is a dark tea colour (tannin), but is fine to swim in.

You can buy "normal" ice at various points around the Island, although for a decnt stay I'd be looking at one of those good ice boxes to that you get your ice to last more than a day.

Jack

Hi Bub,

It is pretty hard to beat walking in to Lake Wabby in the heat at about 4pm and swimming until after sunset when all of the tour bus crowds have left. It is very peaceful and your voices echo in valley. Just make sure you have enough time to walk out before it gets too dark as it can be very hard to follow the track.

We also enjoy Ocean lake as mentioned above but the access point can get crowded in holiday season as it does not have a long beach like Lake McKenzie.

If you are after similar white sandy beaches to Mckenzie but less crowds then Lake Boomanjin is O.K. but it does not have the blue water like McKenzie.

Lake Allom is always fun for catching the tortoises if you have kids. Just don't tell anyone that we do it.

If you do try the champaigne pools as mentioned above, it is best at low to mid tide but it will probably be pretty crowded in December.

Hope this helps and h even with the crowds, it is still one of the best places in the world and you will have fun. I'd rather be there in peak season than sitting in my office at work typing this right now.

Cheers,
Brett

Champagne Pools had been removed from the tourist maps when we were there in April, apparently sanded in! But if you can get a swim in there, it's worth it!!

Lakes Garawongera, Allom, Birrabeen, Boomanjin, they are all lovely swimming spots, we haven't been to Ocean Lake yet but have heard it also is a great spot. (Doesn't surprise me really.... Fraser is a great spot all over!) Boomanjin doesn't attract too many people due to the tannin coloured water, but it is a great swimming spot. It is also quite shallow, so therefore very warm! like a nice relaxing bath! (don't use soap or shampoo though!!!!!)

Eli Creek was still "floatable" in April.

Can't answer about the ice box though, we use a refrigerator and although we have only owned it for a couple of years, it seems ages ago that we had the daily trip to the ice fridge to fill up the esky!!!!!