Platypus Bay, Fraser Island - camping advice

Submitted: Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 18:50

ThreadID: 63159 Views:7777 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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Piershs

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on camping in Platypus Bay, Fraser Island.

I have been to Fraser 3 or 4 times in the past (love it), and have always camped on the semi-remote north east coast.

This time there's a couple of kids in our party, so I'm thinking that it could be good to camp on the West coast, as far north as possible in Platypus Bay. Easier for the kids to swim on the West coast....much calmer waters than the east coast...

Has anyone camped in Platypus Bay, and where would they recommend?

I don't want a designated camping site - we prefer to camp away from the crowds and we're totally self-sufficient.

Any recommendation much appreciated and can be emailed to me piers(at)dmc(dot)com(dot)au

Thank you.
Piers

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Reply By: Member - Peter D M - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 20:51

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 20:51

hi piers

as you cannot drive between wathumba and the sandy cape lighthouse and the platypus bay road is closed and you do not want to camp at a designated camp site which excludes Wathumba your only choices are betweem worallie creek and awinya creek both nice camp areas, not designated, but really south of platypus bay.

due to the nature of modern technolodgy i am replying to you from near ocean lake north of orchid beach a nice area for kids in the lake and protected from the weather.
i spent today at sandy cape and we were the only vehicle north of the ngkala rocks. magic day with 5kmh easterly.

we swam in the lake like water around the corner towards the lighthouse but it is not pleasant in a solid northerly.

also remember the sandflies on the western beach, we camped at wathumba for a few years but in the end got sick of the sandflies.

regards peter

AnswerID: 333248

Reply By: Piershs - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:18

Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 21:18

Hi Peter,

Thank you very much for your advice - much appreciated and very helpful..

Let me ask you the question from another angle - if you were visiting Fraser with a couple of kids who love the outdoors and playing around in the water, where would you camp? (bearing in mind we don't want a designated campsite).

Thanks again.

Piers

PS: We'll be there in January

AnswerID: 333257

Follow Up By: Member - Peter D M - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 07:19

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 07:19

this is our 15th trip to fraser. when the kids were younger we stayed at lake mckenzie they played in the lake all day, now no camping.
once past indian head you loose most of the backpackers so the crowd drops dramatically.
the area around waddy point, ocean lake would be my pick. waddy has a fenced area protection from dingoes for kids. either area gives you access to the lake and also the lagoon at waddy a shallow salt water area refreshed on the high tides, a perfect safe kids and adults.
we have come in the 3rd week in january before and the crowds have dropped away. so a nice spot on the around ocean lake would be fine. a short drive to waddy and the lake itself.
we have been here 4 days and heard dingoes in the distance one night and spotted one near browns rocks, they are definitely not as prominent as years ago. i would bring kids but would keep a good eye on them.

regards peter

FollowupID: 601157

Follow Up By: chisel - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:19

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:19

Alternative might be to camp somewhere near eli creek.
Also camping near Eurong or the track to Lake Wabby gives fairly quick and easy access to a couple of nice lakes down that way.

FollowupID: 601173

Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:55

Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:55

"I don't want a designated camping site"

Sorry to disappoint.... All camping on Fraser is limited to designated sites. There are the true camping grounds such as Waddy, Cathedral Beach, Dundubbra etc and there are designated beach camping areas with no facilities, but you can't just camp anywhere you like anymore... Haven't been able to for years.

The best area I can think of for you would be the camping area at Sandy Cape. It's remote, no facilities, but has the best of both worlds as far as the water goes. Calm and clear around the point, wild and wooly on the surf beach.

Magic fishing spot too ;-))

AnswerID: 333341