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So we arrived in Hervey (pronounced Harvey) Bay got off at the bus terminal got picked up by our hostel courtesy bus and then was told by the woman that if we wanted to go to Fraser Island (the largest sand island in the world) on a Self-drive 4X4 tour we could leave tomorrow on special stand-by rates which we agreed to.
So got driven back to the hostel booked in and immediately went to a briefing about the Island and what to do and what not to do with the rest of the people who were doing the tour with us. Then spent the rest of the night getting to know our group and constructing a shopping list for tomorrow. Our group consisted us, an Australian (a rarity in Australian hostels), 2 koreans, 2 Malaysians and 2 Germans. We had a really good mix of personalities and nationalities, although girls out weighed boys 7 to 2.
Next day up at the crack of dawn to have a briefing by the Jeep by the Grumpy man who owns them. Our Jeep was called Maheno and was bright Pink! Went shopping and caught the ferry over to Fraser Island with the rest of the 4X4 backpacker tours. Ross (the Australian) had previous experience in taming 4X4 jeeps but thought other people should have a go and learn to drive them. So it wasn't before we took a wrong turn and also get bogged in the sand, something that became quite a common feature of the tour. So out we got and dug out the sand from about the wheels. The first day we headed up to Lake Wabby a beautiful fresh water lake surrounded by sand dunes (had great fun rolling down them) and with freezing water (Kate and I were the only ones brave enough to venture in mainly to wash the sand of us). You can't swim in the sea even though it looks so inviting because of the man-eating sharks and killer sea weed. Then we went and found a camp site so set up for the night. Drove into one found it was occupied tried to drive out of it but got bogged again the sand. So with the help of the Irish people in the camp area we got unbogged and an invitation to stay in the same camping area, which we accepted. Had a lovely BBQ, company, time chasing away the wild dingos roaming into our camp and star gazing at the most incredible stars, Kate even saw a Shooting Star.
Up at 6 o'clock the next morning, by the time our camp were all up and ready to start packing up the irish bunch had already packed up and left, we were close behind them though and had left by 7, even though we bought ceral and milk with the intention of having a healthy breakfast all our breakfasts on the island consisted of Lollypops.
The second day we ventured to the Maheno ship wreck and up to Indian Head which is apparetly the spot to see all the whales, sharks, turtles, sting rays etc in the ocean. However while we were up there trying to see some creatures non came to us apparantley nearly unheard of. Then we walked to Champagne pools (because we were told by the hire company we weren't allowed to drive North of Indian head as the sand is too deep and we had great enjoyment watching drivers getting seriously bogged in the sand) saw the little tiny rock pool we had walked 3km to see, walked back and left Indian head at 1 o'clock. We were given "a Bible" by the hire company that basically gave us an itinery to stick to so we wouldn't get caught by the tide. The itenery said to leave Indian Head at 2 o'clock and drive to Ellis creek to set up camp and swim in the creek, we had to be off the beach by 3. So we left at 1 and by 2:30 we had to leave the beach, not making it to Ellis Creek and set up tent because the tide was too high. We even had to drive in the saltwater (Which is a big no no) to avoid getting bogged in the sand or tip the jeep over. We didn't quite make it to Ellis Creek but set up tent on the beach cooked a meal (which as before contained plenty of healthy sand) and played drinking games before retiring to bed exhausted at the late time of 9.
Up at 6 again loaded up the jeep and headed to Lake McKenzie, this amasing breathtaking lake, spent the rest of our day sun bathing, frollicking in the water and getting sun burnt before heading back to the ferry to take us across to the mainland. Got entertained by really wasted backpackers almost getting run over, singing and finally passing out on the ferry.
Back at the Hostel unpacked the jeep, the grumpy man came and inspected his beloved pink vehical complained that we had used more than a 1/4 of a tank of petrol more than any other group and that there was salt water on the car. We explained about getting caught in the tide despite following the itinery, which he didn't believe and after a bit a grump he let us keep the $1000 bond (luckily for us). Then we washed up our dishes unpacked, had showers to wash of the sand that got everywhere, ordered pizza, shared photos with the rest of the group, we looked at Greyhound bus times and noticed one leaving at 00:30 that night so booked on it (because we are quickly running out of time in the land of Oz). Laura stayed up and waited for our taxi to pick us up at midnight while Kate had a kip, said goodnight to our group and took the taxi to the bus terminal, and got on our bus that after 14 hours took us to airlie beach.
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