Day 14 Saturday 7th July - Bundaberg

Nice easy morning at caravan park then did a tour of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Ginger Beer Factory, followed by some taste testing!! Short drive down to Bargara on the beach as had come highly recommended by a fellow traveller whilst sorting washing in the laundry !!! Girls had a lovely play in the park on the foreshore ( they have decided to rate the parks we visit !!) 9.5/10 !!

Bundaberg Distillery

 "The Barrell" (Ginger Beer Distillery)

 Burnett Bridge

Day 13 Friday 6th July. Burrum Heads-Bundaberg

Up early to explore Burrum Heads as we arrived in darkness the night before. Lazy stroll down the foreshore, a “Fisherman’s Paradise” we decided! Met a local who had been living in a caravan all over the QLD coast with his wife since 1972!! Arrived in Bundaberg and set up in the Big 4 http://cane-village-holiday-park.qld.big4.com.au/ Caught up on washing from Fraser Island and re stocking supplies, then nice early night for all.!!

Burrum Heads

 Classic Queenslander

 Leanne's favourite Queenslander !!

Day12 Thursday 5th July 2012 Fraser - Burrum Heads

We woke knowing this was the last day on Fraser. We were keen to leave the island as we all had had enough and we had been carrying around the “sick blanket”  that stunk from the first night. The girls had an absolute blast of a time, they were interested about the wildlife, the 4x4 driving, the beach driving,  & how the locals  survived on limited rations including water.  They had fun playing on the beach & camping with minimal luxuries which they are not accustomed to. They learnt that not all toilets “flush” using a button and running water, & you can survive without a shower for 3 days among many other things.  But after it all the  trip was a complete success, reminding us all not to take for granted the little things!  The weather was fantastic every day of the trip. We arrived at Burrum Point about 6pm and were all ready for bed!

MOO!

Dundubura Campsite

Eli Creek; People float down the stream

Leaving Fraser!

Day 11 Wednesday 4th July 2012 Fraser Island (Waddy Point - Dundubura)

Again we had a good morning with the family and after having breakfast, we  packed up and headed for Dundabura camping ground. On the way we called past Champagne pools again. Jason did some fishing on the beach while the girls had a play and Leanne read her book. This ended another successful day on Fraser. That night we enjoyed a communal campfire and met some great fellow campers, 2 of which were from Germany on a travel visa and were making their way around Australia in a campervan called “ Moo” !!

 Lucy assisting in packing the roof Bag

 Olivia having some fun

Looking towards Waddy Point

Swimming in Champagne Pools 

 Champagne Pools 

 Info board at Champagne Pools

 While we set up the girls got close to nature

 Chilling on the beach after some big days

 Dingo proof fence around campsite

Day 10 Tuesday 3rd July 2012 Fraser Island (Central Station - Waddy Point)

We woke in the morning to have  breakfast in a rain forest,  an absolute natural treasure. The night was freezing, (about 4 deg) and in the rain forest it felt like it was below zero.  We decided that since Olivia had vomited the night before that she was entitled to the one $1 coin we owned and that was required to have a hot shower!!  We were packed up about 11am after bacon, egg and some laughs, and headed for Waddy Point. On the way we visited  Lake McKenzie, an inland oasis, Happy Valley, Cathedral Beach (where diesel was $2.12L)  and Champagne Pools. It was on this route  we saw our first and only Dingo on the beach. We arrived at Waddy Point about 4pm for our second setup, this was an spectacular location, up on the hill overlooking the beach. We were able to light a fire which made the night more comfortable.

Olivia after the rough night

Lake McKenzie

Happy Valley; one of the locations with supplies

One of the many hazards on Fraser Island. Look up not forward!!!

Maheno Ship Wreck

The only dingo for the whole trip on the island

Pinnicles

Look out near Waddy Point

Champagne Pools

Looking towards Indian Head

 Our resident Bandicoot

Day 9 Monday 2 July 2012 Noosa - Fraser Island / Central Station Fraser Island Central station (via Rainbow Beach)

Today we left Noosa and headed for a few days of camping the traditional way on Fraser Island. What we knew of Fraser prior to boarding the barge from Inskip Point at Rainbow Beach is that the area is remote and we were very concerned (mainly the girls) about the dingo population, as we were warned by the Rangers at the info centre in Noosa and there were plenty of warning notes in the brochures we obtained about Fraser Island. The 4x4 driving in the sand would test the vehicle as well as the drivers. After leaving Noosa we arrived at Rainbow Beach about 1pm. After calling into the Barge Information Centre we were ready to board. We deflated the tyres and with some reservations  continued on. Our first experience on the island was fantastic, driving on the beach is something that Victorians don’t have the opportunity to do every day of the week. After about 20 minutes of beach driving we headed inland on our way to Central Station. This was an experience!! We drove through numerous water holes, the deepest of which we had water up over the bonnet!, and sand ditches where the girls had a real buzz as did the driver. We had our eyes peeled for any Dingo’s yet none were to be seen. We arrived at Central Station about 4pm , and started the setup. Olivia complained during the day of an upset stomach however we thought nothing of this at the time.

During the night she threw up everywhere, on her blanket, her sleeping bag, Leanne’s toilet bag, in Jason’s shoe outside on the ground mat etc. After one can of deodorant had been sprayed in the tent and all had been cleaned we tried to get some sleep. The clean up was a real challenge during the night & next morning with no hot water except what could be boiled. Leanne took charge and coped extremely well considering. After the initial vomit she then threw up 4 more times, this time we had a vomit bowl!!