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We awoke in Noosa on the day of our Fraser island tour after staying in a motel overnight. We then had a 2 hour journey to meet the tour in Rainbow beach. We got there in good time despite the Sat Nav taking us through the bush on this god damn awful road that is only meant for tractors and 4x4s NOT Toyota Corollas! We were met by our rather sizeable tour guide Sarah who also had a rather masculine tendency (hope we are painting a picture for you) and a mixture of 4 couples of varying nationalities and 2 yanks. We climbed aboard our 4x4 bus which looked like a securicor van with tractor tyres. After a short barge trip across the bay, we started our Fraser island experience, which began with being shaken to our bones as we headed across the beach highway and then sand and miners tracks inland that have see better days. To say we were bumped about was an understatement (Mark's fillings nearly fell out!) but it was good fun and Sarah kept us occupied with interesting tales about the islands flora, fauna and inhabitants. Our first stop on the tour was Lake McKenzie, a freshwater lake at the centre of the island with the most amazingly fine white sand and water like Evian. We got stuck in with a swim straight away and came out of the water with amazingly soft skin. So much so that mark took it a step further and decided to use the sand as beauty product and exfoliate his face (see picture!) We had a sausage sizzle in the picnic area of the beach which was lovely, although we ended up being lunched on by March flies that really do bite hard! Although the weather had been a bit gloomy to start with, the sun was out in fine force at Lake McKenzie which was great. After lunch, and a second stint at Lake McKenzie we visited the rainforest on the island, and it helpfully began to rain at this point - just to add to the atmosphere. Sarah bravely thrust into the forest alone and left us to follow the paths promising to meet us at the end. She made sure she scared us just a bit before leaving us by showing us the funnel web spider nests!! She did indeed greet us as promised at the end of the walk with cookies and a group photo! In the evening, had food and drinks at the hotel we were staying at on the island and spotted a dingo scavenging for food (no luck mate they are pretty strict on Fraser about feeding you!). Day 2 was an early start at 8am up to Indian head, a cliff top named by Captain Cook when he spotted some aboriginals (he thought Indians) standing there when he sailed on by. You able to see tiger sharks, stingrays and dolphins, although this is only if you are brave enough to hand over the edge of the cliff (which neither of us were, both hating heights as we do) nevertheless Helen thinks she saw a shark/dolphin and definitely a ray! We headed back into the bumpy bus and along to the shipwreck of the SS Maheno which is still lying aground on the beach. Lunch was on a campsite in the middle of the island which was a bit grot (especially the long drop toilet Mark says!) and then we finished our excursion with a visit to Eli Creek, a natural sand bedded stream which you are able to wade up, or if deep enough can let the current drift you out towards the sea (Mark tried this but alas, ran aground in a not dissimilar fashion to the SS Maheno!). Sarah informed us that the creek secretes more fresh water each day than is used by the entire population of Sydney! We headed back to the mainland as the tour was over, but very worthwhile. We decided to stay in Rainbow beach that night and thanks to the lovely ladies in the TIC ended up in a lovely chalet on a campsite for the night. We explored the sand dunes (largest natural dune in southern hemisphere - they make many claims like this) and had a lovely meal by the harbour.
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