Fraser Island Camping

Here are 4 of our vehicles we would be taking over to Fraser. There were 10 people to a group and 5 cars in all so 50 people left together the day of my adventure.
On the way!! A little back round on Fraser before I get into what we did over there: it is the worlds biggest sand island and World Heritage Listed. It is contains no homes on it whatsoever, just a few small resorts and tons of camping grounds. It is filled with some of the most gorgeous lakes and surrounded by beaches- one 70 miles long. Most of the beaches are too dangerous to swim in though. On the West Coast you have to be careful of crocodiles, and on the East Coast the biggest fear besides the strong current is sharks and stingers. A word of advice we got before we left: "if you go into the East Coast ocean don't worry about being pulled by the current. something else will probably already have gotten you anways." Comforting. We were given a recommended itinerary, but basically we could do whatever the hell we wanted out there. We had no supervision at all. I still can't believe they just handed us the keys to these cars, packed us up with camping gear, and sent us on our merry way. Everyone agreed it would be best to just stick with the itinerary because the island is HUGE and can be pretty dangerous. Besides the crocs, sharks, stingers and current you also had to worry about wild dingos and the insane roads made only out of sand. I can't tell you how terrifying the trip was on those roads going no more than 20 kilometers per hour. It got even more terrifying after we heard about 2 people dying on our second day there, doing the exact same type of tour that we were. More about that later though.





Our Tents^



Sunrise at 6:40 am. Yes I woke up for it.
Chrissy Laura and I outside our tent I built! The Rainforest. That
looks like sand but has indredibly clear water over top of it.

I'm not sure why all of the pictures above got scrambled, but hopefully you can still make out what they all were. Basically we took a barge from Hervey Bay over to Fraser Island and, after getting all of our camping and driving permits, we headed to a little rain forest. It was actually pretty boring, and exactly like all of the other ones we had all seen so far so we didn't stay long. The first place we went after the rain forest was Lake Wabby. It was this amazing lake in the middle of an unbelieveable amount of sand hills. Seriously, I felt like I was in Egypt. Not that I've ever been to Egypt but whatever. We had to walk 30 minutes from the car down to the lake and what looked like 5 minutes but actually was another 15 across the sand to get to the lake. It really looked and felt like a desert. After that it had a huge decline straight down into the lake. If you look at the one picture with the 3 girls in it, the sand drops IMMEDIATELY down from there and into the lake. If I remember I will add more pictures from this later I just have to locate them all.
Laura wearing our headgear the first night there. This is what we took with us to pee at night. We were really camping- no bathrooms, no running water, no light. We always used a buddy system because its dingo mating season! The first night there we had a real Aussie Barbi with hot dogs and hamburgers and salad. It was delicious. I don't know if I was just the right amount of drunk or what, but I actually slept pretty well in my tent. It wasn't too small and we got the biggest and newest one of the group (obviously I set it up that way).
I wish so much that my camera was able to capture the sky the first night there. I have been to beaches at night before, but I have never in my life seen anything like this. It is probably because there were no other lights from cars boats or houses, so all you got were stars. We could see the Milky Way, The Southern Cross, Orions Belt, and about 500000000 other stars that night. This picture is Laura giving me a little lesson on constellations.
Some of these are out of order, but this is me, Chrissy, Laura, Leigh and JP being losers and trying to jump for the self timer. Check out Chrissy's skill though!
Most of the gang posing in our car. We got the idea for the pictures from the brouchures for our tour. SO cheesy.
These are some of the rocks we had to drive over on the beach. As you can see, all of our stuff is packed on the top of the cars making them really top-heavy. You have no idea how scary it was rocking back and fourth on these slippery rocks afraid the car was going to flip over.
This isn't me turing the camera, this is how far tilited we were one of the times I tried to take a picture of the "road."
Approx. 8 am our first full day on Fraser. We were on our way to the Champagne Pools which were supposed to be amazing. The Champagne Pools are located just North of Indian Head (somewhere else we were scheduled to stop), along 75-mile beach. These pools provide a very popular swimming hole with the ocean crashing over the rocks into shallow sandy pools. The foaming water is where the name Champagne Pools comes from. There are extremely strong currents along this part of the island and swimming around the rocks is not encouraged, but makes swimming in the Champagne Pools a safe alternitive.
Posing with our camper!
The Colored Sands. On our way up to the Champagne Pools we passed a bunch of the cars from our tour passing us the other way. The drive up there was almost an hour long, so there was no way they had already gotten up there, seen it and were headed back yet. Finally someone waved us to slow down and told us what was going on. There was an accident with another company similar to the one I was on and 2 people had died, and no one knew how many more were injured. At the time, we really weren't sure if it wasn't another Palace Car (the company we had hired our car from). Later we found out the whole story: The car was full of 11 people who had rented a car and were doing a tour identical to the one we were on. At about 8 am they were headed up to the Champange Pools just as we were. Driving close to 100 KPH (speed limits on the beach are 80 KPH, but we only went 50 because it felt safer) they swerved to avoid hitting a wave. If you got any saltwater on or in the car you would lose your bond which was 1000. The car rolled over throwing everyone it was carring out of the vehicle and killed 2 of the passengers on impact. We still aren't sure who was injured and who was killed, and we had even less information 3 days ago so we were all a little shaken up. Ovbiously, the beach was closed and we weren't going to be allowed to travel up to the Champagne Pools anyways. We turned around and finished up our intinerary as it was after the Champagne Pools trips.

The picture above is of the Colored Sands. Known as the Pinnacles the sands are sculptured by natures elements are seen as one of Fraser Islands natural wonders.

The Cathedrals multicoloured cliffs of red, yellow, brown, yellow and orange sands is an array of spectacular colours.

Next we headed to the wreck of the Maheno. This is the Wikipedia description of the wreck, which is almost identical to the one on the sign right near it. The S.S. Maheno was originally built in 1905 in Scotland as a luxury passenger ship for trans-Tasman crossings. During the First World War the ship served as a hospital ship in the English Channel, before returning to a luxury liner. In 1935, the ship was declared outdated and on June 25, 1935 the ship was being towed from Melbourne when it was caught in a strong cyclone. A few days later, on July 9, 1935 she drifted ashore and was beached on Fraser Island. During the Second World War the Maheno served as target bombing practice for the RAAF. The ship has since become severely rusted, with almost three and a half storeys buried under the sand
It was really cool and really sad. You could still see some of the original floor boards on the deck. Who knows how long it will be before this thing is completely gone.

After the Maheno, we headed to Eli Creek. This is Leigh floating down the creek.
This is the entrance to the creek where everyone parks their cars.
It looks a little murkey, but it was actually completely clear all the way to the bottom.
It was also FREEZING!
A few of the girls from our camper!
Chrissy Laura and I
The entrance to the creek from our car. After leaving Eli Creek most of us headed back to our campsight on the beach and just laid out for the remainder of the day (from about noon til 5). 3 of the other girls took the car back up to Lake Wabby, but the rest of us just weren't up for that bumpy carride again.
The second night there was a brutal one. It was our last night so we all had to finish our alcohol and try to finish the food. We cooked pasta, but ended up burning most of it and cooking way too much which caused us to throw out half of it. I was pretty drunk by dinner, so I didn't care.
Real campers, with tin mugs and all!
Our new friend Michelle sitting under our tarp when the FIRST rainstorm started. Luckily I was in a comatose state reminiscent of my high school graduation party for the second rainstorm, so it didn't bother me!
Ahhh, the third day. Lake McKenzie. Laura had talked about this place since February 18th. We all had high, high hopes, and no one was let down. The water was 5 different colors, and it was completely gorgeous.
Me :o)
The sand here is also almost pure silica.
The lake is a perched lake, meaning it contains only rainwater no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean.
Just floating around.
The three of us!


Laura and I testing out my wonderful camera. I look like Nemo.

Amazing




The entrance to the beach. It was breathtaking.

Even though I was so tired after this trip I couldnt WAIT to get back to my tiny little bed in the tiny little town we live in, I wouldn't have traded a minute for the world. I loved every single second of it. These are experiences I will never forget as long as I live and I got to experience them with not only 2 of my very good friends, but some other amazing people as well. Leigh and JP were 2 of the nicest and coolest Canadians I have ever met in my life. They certainly changed any stereotypes I had about Canadians ( I know I had some, but I can't think of any at the time). We met another couple from Denmark who camped with us that I also adored. Michele (in the pictures camping in the rain) was one of the coolest people I have ever met and I am so envious of her travels for the next few months. Everyone we met along the way taught me a little something new. I love that, and I didn't want the trip to end. I wanted to continue back up the coast, head to Darwin, shoot to Alice Springs, then head to Southeast Asia and hangout there for a bit, maybe shoot to Europe for a month or two and see I could there (by the way- this is Michele's around the world trip in a nutshell.) All I wanted to do was keep meeting new people, talking to new people, hear where they were going, where they were from, why they were traveling and how they were doing it. I loved this trip so much and I am SO glad everything worked out the way that it did. I wouldn't take a second of it back and I love each and everyon one of my travel buddies (except, maybe, Daphnie)

Us with the "Dark and Stormy's" the bartender made. Tasted nothing like a dark and stormy, but got me just as drunk as one would
Mark Laura and I on St Pats! Yes I bought that shirt at the bar were in for 30 dollars. whatever
Another free bottle thanks to my pending nuptials!
Us in our robes at the Westin with our 4th or 5th free bottle of Champagne
Chrissy and I with our free beer because I was supposedly getting married.
Laura and I tubing. She kicked my ass
I love the back round of this picture
Mark, Chrissy and I on another wonderful boating day
Mark and I. Apparently he is my "BEST FRIEND IN AUSTRALIA" which is what I told ANYONE who would listen that night.
Marissa (who goes to Clemson) Mark and I
Me, Swiss and some guy I dont know. Happy Birthday Swiss!
Myself, Chrissy, and Laura at the Westin before going out in Sydney
Myself, Chrissy and Laura tanning on Bondi Beach!



In an effort to put off more research, I've decided to add some pictures from recent weeks that actually have me in them- something my family might like as a reminder of what I look like. Maybe not. Either way, enjoy!

SPRING BREAK 2009

This is the closest picture I could find to what we are doing for spring break. Once you read the whole post it will make a little bit more sense I hope!!


So, everyone who gave me shit for "not doing work and partying so much in Australia," thanks a lot. The last 2 weeks I have actually been pretty busy with school stuff. Earlier today I had a 1000 word paper due on a case study about the National Alcohol Campaign in Australia (yes, I chose the topic), as well as a 15 minute presentation with a group of 4 other girls. Last week I had a presentation in my Aboriginal Studies Tutorial, which has a total of 8 people in it. The worst part about that was that the tutorial leader is Aboriginal, so I couldn't bullshit this. I had to get it right or he would know. I spent a fair amount of time researching and putting together my presentation, and I feel like I know a little more about the lifestyle and kinship of Aboriginal Australians. I have another 1000 paper due Thursday (a week after the presentation) on the same topic, but I won't be turning it in on time because I am leaving for Spring Break tomorrow!!

I guess now is a good a time as any to get into the saga of our spring break trouble. There is a reason I didn't talk too much about this before now. So, when we first got to Australia, we had no trips planned and nothing set up for spring break. After going to Sydney a few times, we got the travel bug and decided we just HAD to book stuff soon. We talked and talked and talked about it, but we never ended up actually booking any of the packages or tours we had seen for spring break (which is actually "fall" break or just "Easter Holiday here. They look at us like were crazy when we say "spring break.") So after weeks of not having booked ANYTHING, we stumbled upon something that seemed perfect, at least in theory.

Way back (like a month ago) when we met the guys who took us out on the boat, people we now consider friends, Mark told us that he is a pilot training to get his commercial license. Of course our first thought was: "Oh! He can fly us to Cairns for spring break!" Turns out, we weren't too far off. He said he would be able to do it because he hasto log the flight hours anyways. From there we kind of just assumed it would all work out. Of course, it didn't. The plan was to take the plane (a terrifying single engine aircraft) from Newcastle up to Hamilton Island for a night or two. Leave Hamilton early in the morning and fly up to Cairns. Spend around 4 days in Cairns and head back south, stopping at Fraser Island before getting back into Newcastle. Now we weren't allowed to book any hostels or adventures yet because if the weather was bad, the flight schedule might be put off a day or two. We really didn't have too much of a problem with this because normally a flight to Cairns is around $400 one-way. Obviously, the free flight would work out much better. We were a little stressed out at not having anything set in stone, and at not having booked anything along the way. So, the plan was to fly out early tomorrow (Wednesday the 8th) and begin our trip. Who would have thought that Mark would come over YESTERDAY and tell us that because the weather looks so bad for the next week or so, the whole trip was off. Yes, two days before our planned departure.

Now, as if this information wasn't bad enough to get 2 days before the trip is supposed to start, but I also had my entire paper to write for Marketing and our group was supposed to be meeting last night to discuss who was going to do what in the presentation. I know, I actually take the blame for that part. I could have easily done that paper well before last night but whats the fun in that?
Oh, I forgot to mention, Laura also had a 2500 word paper due today, and Chrissy was in my marketing group, so she had the paper and presentation to worry about as well. Needless to say last night resembled something similar to running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

After hours of looking up flights, packages, tours, ANYTHING we could think of within our budget, we managed to make a pretty decent looking plan. As of last night we had booked a flight to Cairns for $212 with tax one way, and 4 nights in a hostel for $100. I found some amazing package tour a good 12 hours from Carins we considered doing next week, but in the end decided to just leave it to a travel agent. After our 10 am presentation, Chrissy and I headed over to STA travel to beg for someone to help us out. After hours of phone calls, options and renotiating we finally agreed on a plan. I have to add that the original cost of this trip not including the flight to Carins or the hostel while there was $1069 dollars, about 400 more than the trip I had almost completely planned for us. After "stepping outside to call the other agency and see if we could still book the trip I had planned" the STA travel agent somehow managed to work the our original $1069 price down to $653. I never actually even got through to anyone, I was on hold when Chrissy came out to tell me they had "worked the price down." Whatever made it happen- no one was complaining.

So here is our itinereary for Spring Break 2009 as booked TODAY:
-Wednesday 8 April (tomorrow): Fly out of Sydney at 1 pm. Once again, we are taking the lovely train to Sydney, so we have to leave at around 8 am to make sure we don't miss our flight. Lucky us.
-Arrive in Cairns at around 4:30 pm tomorrow evening
-8 April-12 April will be spent in Cairns. During this time we plan to drink way too much, skydive, bungee jump, posibly snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and drink way too much. Should be a good time.
-Monday 13 April: 12am Monday moring: board a greyhound to Airline Beach.
-Arrive at Airline Beach at 11am (yes, thats an 11 hour bus trip)
-Stay one night on Airline Beach, which is supposed to be extremely fun
-Tuesday 14 April: 8:30 am: Board The Hammer for a 2 day 1 night sailing tour around the Whitsunday's Islands.
-Wednesday 15 April: 8 pm(ish): Board a bus to Hervey Beach
-Thursday 16 April: 9 am: Arrive at Hervey Bay (yes, 13 hours)
-Spend Thursday night on Hervey Bay
-Friday 17 April- Sunday 19 April: 2 nights camping on Fraser Island.
-Sunday 19 April: Another night in Hervey Bay
-Monday 20 April: 9:45 am Flight from Hervey Bay to Sydney.

If it sounds insane, thats because it is. Luckily we are young and able, and we plan on seeing everything we can while we are here and this is certainly one way to do it.

I happen to be putting off a paper that is due that Monday we get back by updating my blog right now. I think I am going to take everything I have collected thus far and work on it on one of the ridiculously long bus trips.

Pray for good weather for us because the forecast so far is looking kind of so, so!! (And pray that we all make it through this adventure without killing eachother) I won't be back to update anything until the 20th (for good measure, thr 21st) so look forward to an ungodly long post around then!