Fraser Island

Submitted: Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 13:32
ThreadID: 6957 Views:2307 Replies:7 FollowUps:7
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Going to Fraser Island in October for the first time and need some advise on tent pegs.

Now I now this seems like a stupid question, but wouldn't I need something more significant than the standard 6 inch tent pegs that come with the tent. The tent is a tunnel tent so requires tension to hold the tent up. One idea is to use angle iron cut into 12 inch pegs - is this overkill?

Thanks in advance.
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Reply By: Member - Rohan K - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 14:28

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 14:28
Chris, yes you'll need different tent pegs. Purchase some plastic sand ones - 30 cm at least (you can get these cheap from Target or K-mart, or interstate equivalent). We picked some up for about $0.65 each. Alternatively use the angle iron (or star pickets cut up) idea. Use thinner guage iron, if you can, to save weight.

Also, have a bout 1/3 of the pegs a longer length, say 45 cm. When the sand is dry and soft, and the wind starts to howl, you'll need them. No, this is not "overkill".Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
AnswerID: 29773

Reply By: tim_s - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 14:28

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 14:28
You'll love Fraser - I'm off there in 4 days. I would recommend something MUCH bigger than the 6 inch round steel pegs that usually come with tents - especially if there is loading on the tent and there is a bit of a breeze around. I have two sizes that I take with me for tent and tarps. Both are black (? nylon) in a 3-point star shape. Can not remember the exact sizes, but the smaller are probably 200mm (8 inches) and the larger more like 300mm (12 inches). They are also quite fat. Got both from a camping store and I think from memory they were ~$1.50 each for the biggies (as long as you bought 10). These suckers will hold a 16x14 foot tarp in anything less than a cyclone.

I reckon angle iron would also work, but is it worth the effort?

Hope this helped

Tim
AnswerID: 29775

Follow Up By: tim_s - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 16:43

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 16:43
Based on other's comment, maybe mine are 30cm and 45cm - anyway the big ones are pretty big. I never thought I would need such big pegs, but you DO!!
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FollowupID: 20864

Reply By: Member - Kim and Paul - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 14:48

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 14:48
If you intend camping in the designated camping grounds, then standard pegs will be fine as it is mostly grassed areas. On the beach I would imagine you may need something a little longer.
Paul.
AnswerID: 29780

Follow Up By: Member - Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 19:17

Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 19:17
Just don't camp at Cathedral Beach iof you want to have a relaxed enjoyable holiday, anywhere else is fantastic, but there will leave you bewildered and amazed that someone so mean can be running a "people" business.So many places to go!
So much work to do :0(
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FollowupID: 20970

Reply By: Member - Oskar(Bris) - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 15:32

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 15:32
Not to put you off but last September our large 45cm plastic pegs bent like bananas in some very strong wind - not pleasant. It is not overkill to set up with large sand pegs if you are camping on the beach.
I have used 30cm or so angle iron type pegs and had them pull out in wind where the large plastic ones held. I think the flex in the plastic ones help them to stay put whereas the steel ones just loosen in the sand under the pressure of the wind.
We are heading off to Fraser again this September so here's hoping the winds don't repeat their performance this year.
Oskar
AnswerID: 29783

Reply By: Member - Russell - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 16:37

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 16:37
You can get galvanised steel pegs that are basically the same profile as angle iron - different sizes and lengths - and they hold much better than a round peg. Don't take up nearly as much room or weigh as much as angle iron either. I take the plastic sand pegs in 30 and 45 cm too, 'cos you don't know what the sand's like where you end up camping. As the others point out, it can get a bit blowy up there.Russell S
Prado RV6
AnswerID: 29788

Follow Up By: Member - Oskar(Bris) - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 13:27

Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 13:27
I had a set of them (Gal steel) and they pulled out in the wind on Moreton Is. I threw them out when I got back home.
They can tend to fold over at the top if you hit a root or something solid. I guess they're OK if you have reasonable weather.
I threw them out when I got back home.
Oskar
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FollowupID: 20920

Reply By: ThePublican - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 17:51

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 17:51
Best "sand " peg is the one you make yourself,, 12/15 inch long 40x50 angle aluminium,,, weld small plate on non pointy end,, light to carry ,driven in at a 20/30 degree angle will hold our 30x20ft tarp in all that Fraser can throw up,,east side and west side,,,,,, remember to that the best fishing is ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
AnswerID: 29793

Follow Up By: Chris- Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 08:37

Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 08:37
lol Didn't quite get where the fish were. ;-)
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Reply By: petprass - Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 23:43

Monday, Sep 01, 2003 at 23:43
Where will you be camping? Not really necessary if in camp grounds such as Cathederal Beach Resort or Dundebarra. Advisable if on the beach, however last year in Oct we were behind the sand dunes and the sand was still quite firm - actually had trouble getting the plastic sand peg in the ground.
AnswerID: 29846

Follow Up By: Chris - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 08:40

Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 08:40
Not sure yet where to camp, we're just going to see what looks good. I want to have a few days on beach and a few in a camp ground. Can you reccomend good spots? What's the weather like in October? Coming from Melbourne so will be more than happy with anything over 15 degrees ;-)
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FollowupID: 20912

Follow Up By: petprass - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 13:16

Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 13:16
Chris,

Good spots?? There are plenty. As mentioned, Cathedral Beach Resort is quite good with excellent amenities and also very central to the attractions around the island. Dundabura is a little more spartan, but also very good and sheltered (I think cheaper as well). You could also try Waddy Point, but it is more open and for the fisherman type (if you know what I mean)

On the beach - I would strongly recommend anywhere around the Maheno Wreck. Find a nice sand dune that gives you some protection and set-up and enjoy.

Weather at that time of year is usually excellent - around low 20's. Not much wind, although there is usually a persistent breeze.

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FollowupID: 20919

Follow Up By: Member - Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 19:20

Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003 at 19:20
Cathedral beach is central but there are better places for hospitality, I mentioned it above, Waddy point in the Nth and Dingo dell? in the south are great bases to see both ends of a fantastic place.So many places to go!
So much work to do :0(
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FollowupID: 20972

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