1st December
Welcome to Sunrover 2 day/1 night Fraser Island tour experience from Brisbane. And what an experience it was. It began at 6.45 in the morning from Roma Street Bus Station where we met our driver. His name is Brendan, and he is a 42 year old, zz top looking, mofo that has 40 snakes in his house and plays in a blues band. At first David thought he was some homeless guy looking for spare change, but no, he is our driver/guide. We got into our 4WD and lord behold 3 Korean tourists are on our tour aswell, not much english spoken there so a silent journey for the first hour at least. Next we pick up 3 others at Ettamogah Pub, oh oh they are really old and have a problem climbing into the jeep. Wow what a start to the trip, we thought, while looking at each other in sort of disappointment. Another two, and the final two passengers are picked up in Noosa. This time there is a light at the end of the tunnel, some young people from Germany. We all get aquainted with each other, and get ready for the trip.`
Korean lady, David, Enrique and Iseas
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Brendan ends up to be a mad driver from the start, thats even before we reach the island. But hey all the more fun, perhaps. At Rainbow beach we get the essential supplies (beer, sausages and snacks for the bbq that night). The ferry crossing is smooth, but clouds have set in already on us. We start chatting to everyone and our first kilometer on the sandy 130 km beach we spot a lonely dingo. Great start to the tour, as Fraser is the only Island that the dingoes reside so we are told, in the wild. They are curious creatures, and we see many signs telling us not to feed them, and to watch your children, if you have any as they are known for taking them. (A little side story for you....there has been two cases in Australia where the child has disappeared and the mother was blamed and sent to jail for killing the child).
Dingo
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The ride on the sandy beach is fun and something new for everyone, so we are in high spirits. W come across a washed up, decapitated turtle on route aswell. Oh boy it does smell bad, but a true photographer has to suffer to get the shot.
Turtle without the head
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Next tour stop is the rain forest at Central Station, to get there it takes the hard, bumpy, off road 4 WD. Brendan does not seem like a man that likes to waste time, so we get some AC/DC on the stereo and bump and grind in the back of the jeep. The oldies are very funny, they are really not enjoying themselves, but still have a smile on their face. Then the forest walk follows, its beautiful and not too hot. We spot a kingfisher bird, and listen to the sound of the forest while walking through it. A nice walk.
Brendan and Angela
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Angela
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Hollow
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Next stop for today is Lake McKenzie, this fresh water paradise, nestled between the trees. Clear blue waters and an absolute pleasure to swim in it. The clouds make it a bit colder than expected, but something great none the less.
Angela
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Lake McKenzie
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The Boys
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75 mile beach
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Back to base camp was the next part, as it was getting dark. The more bumps on the side roads once again have Dieter, Enrique and wife jumping for sorrow in the back of the jeep. I think they have never been happeir to see asphalt in all their lives, and so were we for that matter. But tomorrow the driver promises straight beach runs, so everyone are pleased.
Huntsman Spider
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The night is young for the young at heart and the camp gets going and the bbq is fired up. While settling into our lovely (not) 4 person tent David spots our uninvited guest "the huntsman spider" as he is waiting for us to roll out the red carpet for him. We manage to get a long enough stick and gently get him away. Then the beer started and the conversations with all the campers that were there, Iseas and Ray (Germany), and Rosa (Finland), and of course some guitar playing from the tour leaders, singing and good all round end to a first day.
Brendan and Joel (Camp leaders)
(talanted musicians too)
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Angela & David
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