Heavy rain as we set offfrom Noosa toHervey Bay on the 16th but soon cleared as we made our way through Gympie,and Maryborough.Arrived at Hervey Bay Green on the Esplanade overlooking the bay about 1pm. Our cheapest accommodation so far, so no pictures,but nevertheless comfortableand a Spanish restaurant down below. Heavy downpour soon after arrival so found the NAB bank for John and Jane's card sent from Perth. Early supper at the Black Dog Cafe (very good) as the Fraser Island Company bus was collecting us at 8am the following day for a one day safari of the island. One hour ferry crossing to the island where we transferred to the 4WD coach and headed off through the rainforest along sand tracks that hardly seemed wide enough fora normal vehicle. Amazing place,wallum heathlands, rain forest and freshwater lakes, all on sand! Stopped at Happy Valleyfor lunch and then on to 75-mile beach, uninteruppted white sand for as far as you can see, apart fromnutters in 4WD vehicles going flat out. Tea and muffins atLake Garawongera before a slow ferry trip back into Hervey Bay by sunset.