Fraser Island Camping

Submitted: Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 17:21
ThreadID: 46533 Views:1603 Replies:5 FollowUps:3
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We will be heading to Fraser Is towards the end of Sept this year for a few nights. Our group consists of 3 or possibly 4 families, including kids aged from 3-15yrs. I am interested in which campsites people recommend for family groups like ours. Are any of the beaches safe for swimming? We would like to camp somewhere where the kids can swim a bit... are we better off going to one of the campsites near the lakes?
Thanks for any advice,
Brett
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Reply By: Member - Tim - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:03

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:03
Hi Brett,

Personally I would not swim on the surf side as I have fished there many times and have seen the sharks cruising along the beach. We have even been fishing out on a sandbar and sharks have come through the gutter between us and the beach. Maybe I am a little paranoid about that as they are probably only following the bait and tailor schools at the time that I am fishing but still a bit worrying. I probably am being paranoid since lots of people do swim there but ....

The lakes are great for a swim and the western side is pretty good with kids as well.

If you are self sufficient then beach camping is a good option, if you like a hot shower and toilets close then try Cathedral Beach or Dundabarra. If you are going in school holidays then the roads across the island can get busy and so can popular places like Central Station and Lake Mackenzie. Now that they have closed Hook Point there are supposed to be "Family Friendly" camping areas with no cars on the beach down there so perhaps enquire about that.

Tim.
AnswerID: 246114

Reply By: Mav1 - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:14

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:14
Just got back from 6 days camped about 1km north of Happy Valley in Eli Camping Area. Great spot, but a mongrel missle dodging dingo wouldn't leave us in peace. Cleaning up after a meal with rubbish bag within metres of us it grabbed it when our backs was turned and commenced to remove it. Every night left rubbish bag in back of vehicle but on last night left bag inside our touring style tent. Dingo appears about 3am and rips hole in flyscreen door a half a metre away from my old mans head where he was sleeping to get to bag.
As far as kids go it was a very aggressive and you would have to be extremely watchful. Let ranger know when we left.
So don't go there at moment - and don't swim in ocean
AnswerID: 246116

Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:21

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:21
Please don't take this the wrong way, but the info guides clearly say don't leave rubbish in your tent or around the camp site.... it's not just the dingo's that break into tents but also the rats and the monitor lizards.

Cheers

Brian
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Follow Up By: Mav1 - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:56

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:56
Yeah Brian no offence taken. Been camping there last 20 or so years so know the drill.. Didn't really leave rubbish bags lying around but it was more or less at our feet as we were finishing off washing up putting remainder of scraps in it when it was first grabbed prior to putting it in rear of vehicle which we did every other night except - On last night bag was well inside tent where two of us were sleeping - left inside tent as vehicle was part packed ready for very early start home. Point was it was a very aggressive dog not all worried about my 78 odd year old father trying to shoo it and with unsupervised youngs kids it could be all over in a flash.
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:19

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 18:19
A second here for Tim's post.... I wouldn't swim in the ocean there, and Dundaburra or Cathedral Beach are nice spots to camp. The lakes are the place to swim, anyway..... they are all worth a visit!

And stick to the rules that the info pack gives you and listen to the rangers.... we always have and haven't ever had drama with the wildlife.

Cheers

Brian
AnswerID: 246118

Reply By: Member - Jack - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 19:49

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 19:49
Plenty of sharks in the water there ... I'd stick to the lakes, or go over to the other side of the island.

Jack
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Reply By: Hunt - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 22:55

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 22:55
Thanks for the replies so far... all useful info (we definitely don't want to be swimming with the sharks).
Another question... is there anywhere on the island (pub/bar) that we can go to, to watch the AFL Grand Final. Sad question I know, but there is a slim chance my team might make it this year!

Brett
AnswerID: 246226

Follow Up By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 08:06

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 08:06
The Orchid Beach Recreation Club will have it on the big screen. Saw the 3rd State of Origin there last year. Top night (if you're a Queenslander!!!)
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