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Got to Hervey Bay after 13 hours on the Greyhound and managed to check into the hostel straight away so I could catch up on some sleep. I already had a tour to Fraser Island planned so had a day to relax before that started. I managed to get in a 4hour whale watching trip in the afternoon which was fantastic. The boat followed a mother and calf for majority of the time and they were really active. The calf especially was breaching and spy holing all the time. They came really close to the boat and did not seem to mind us being there. Apparently this is one of the best places to view humpback whales in the wild as they migrate north to give birth in warmer waters.
The next day was an early start for the 4WD tour of Fraser Island. The island is essentially a very big sand dune just off the coast. There are not many places to stay on the island so I was in for a night of camping. Fraser Island is also known for its pure blood dingos and there are warning signs everywhere not to approach if you see them and not to allow children off on their own ever. I think there have been a few bad incidences in the past involving them but mainly caused by humans who feed them or leave food lying around.
I was on what they call a tag along tour where you follow a guide but in your own 4WD. Fraser Island is also known for its dangerous driving conditions as there are only sand tracks and over the years many backpackers have lost their lives due to driving dangerously on the Island. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to try driving the 4WD but it did look lots of fun.
Our first day was cold and miserable weather so we set up camp (within a fenced campsite) around lunch time before heading off to see the Champagne Pools and to walk the Indian Head. The champagne pools are pools surrounded by rock and as the sea crashes over the rocks filling them up it is all frothy….like champagne (they thought long and hard about the name clearly!). This normally is the only place on the island where you can swim in salt water. There are even more sharks and stingers in this water than normal so swimming in the main sea is not recommended. The main road on the island is along the beach on the east side called 75 mile beach (actually only 68miles but hey who’s counting?!) so you have to drive whilst avoiding people stopping to take pictures, campers, those fishing, other cars as well as the incoming tide. Indian head was just a lookout point but got to see some more humpback whales which was good.
Camping over night was good fun and we even had a steak dinner for our meal. The next morning we packed everything away and as the weather was better we went for a swim (more a paddle) at Eli Creek. After that we headed to another lake called Wabby Lake. This was about a 2.5 km walk each way, which on sand and in flip flops can be pretty tiring. I had also been bitten on the back of my hand and it was swollen to pretty much twice its size…see I told you they like Welsh Blood! The remainder of our time was spent at Lake McKenzie and this was definitely the highlight. Crystal clear water and fine sand just like on Whitehaven beach but freshwater and about 8 km inland. Although I enjoyed the trip, I had heard lots of good things about the island and it didn’t quite reach my expectations but we also had a bit of a wheeler dealer tour company and think we possibly missed out on a few things. But we did see a dingo but luckily I was safely in my 4WD!
Last day in Hervey Bay I hired a bike and cycled along the promenade. I am still not a cyclist and need a coffee or a glass of wine at the end of the trip to motivate me. I blame my Dad who has never ridden a bike in his life other than those in the gym that don’t go anywhere (sorry Dad your secret is out!)
Got the bus then to Brisbane which is where I am now. I am back on the dreaded job hunting and it is proving more difficult than I thought which is not good as funds are getting low! But never mind I have 2 agencies who have signed me up so lets hope they come up with some work for me soon. Brisbane seems a lovely place so far and has a real good vibe about it. They also have a big wheel like the London eye and as you cross the bridge to Southbank it reminds you of London except the sun is shining, you are not choking on gas fumes and all the weirdos are not there! I will hopefully be working here now until mid December before heading to the goldcoast. Wish me luck with the job hunt!
Rhian xx
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