Back from Fraser

A few updates that may be useful to those travelling to Fraser Island. We got back on the weekend from our second visit and it's already a distant memory. It's such a great place.

We camped at Dundabara. There were less than 10 groups at any time during the week. A really nice camp ground and one of only two places that now allow fires (in communal rings). The "fire places" are large enough for a couple of camp ovens. All the common areas have lush grass, a new toilet block is nearing completion and the whole area is discretely fenced against dingoes. There's a fantastic sandblow a short walk behind the camp that the kids thoroughly enjoyed. A few groups of backpackers stayed a couple of nights and the kids really enjoyed meeting so many people with strange accents.

The backpackers provided lots of entertainment. We helped a few by showing them how to lower the spare in a Troopy without dismantling the floor (which they were about to do out of frustration and a rising tide); explained that a bottle jack just wont work in soft sand (used their breadboard as a jacking plate) and the most exciting was dragging a Defender back onto the track from the tree that was stopping it going over the edge. I'm sure some people would just drive past but the all of the groups were polite and grateful so we had no problem with it at all.

We drove all over from Ocean Lake in the North to Woralie Creek on the west coast to Central Station and lots of places in between. Getting off the beach to go around Indian Head was a challenge (especially with a few tourists wandering on the track). Unfortunately Champagne pools are almost completely full of sand.

We came up from Inskip and had intended to use the Manta Ray indepenant ferry but it was just getting to the other side. On the way back it was the other way round but eventhough we had a return ticket on the corporate boat the Manta Ray guys invited us aboard. Great local service!

The trip home was via Sydney - stayed at a real dive of a motel in Manly that was 10 times the cost per night of camping but had a great time seeing the sights.

The home made fridge slide worked brilliantly as did the 12v oven and Icom 400pro. Thanks to all on the forum who have shared their experiences about all these items over the last year.

Adrian