Hervey Bay - the gateway to Fraser Island (after Rainbow Beach). Got to the YHA mid-afternoon and immediately regretted not making more time for this place - the hostel was set in some lovely grounds, had really friendly staff, a bar that served up some great bbq, loads of free games and activities available.....but alas, alack, Sharan and i were using this a stop off point for our trip to Fraser Island.

Fraser Island - we had signed up for a 2day/1 night guided tour and were picked up from the hostel early morning in a big green tour bus. our guide, Peter, looked after us all the way from driving the 16 gear diesel behemoth that was our transport for getting over the sands, to preparing our meals and even clearing up after us - our group was about 16 people.

The trip was amazing, we didn't see any Dingoes, but we saw some amazing sights on the largest Sand Island in the World - swimming in freshwater lakes with the catfish (how did they get here), the amazing 75 mile long beach, a shark off of Indian head (the only rock on the island), a couple of hungry goanas on the scrounge, spotted eels, rainforests, deserts, lots of insects (boo!). We stayed in a permanent campsite, the tents had wooden floors and beds so no roughing it....shower facilities....food was delicious, wraps, steamed fish, buffet picnic, hurrah! Pete was a mine of information and returned us safe and sound back to the lovely YHA for a more restful sleep after some lovely bbq sausages - and bonus, there was no worrying about snakes or wild dogs getting you! Ha ha. Got up the next day, had a relax before getting the bus 6hrs to Rockhampton.