Today was all about getting back down to the southern tip of the island to catch the ferry in time.
The tides were our friend this weekend, and today the beach was good for driving on all day. The problem with the Hilux was possibly the distributor cap which was slightly loose on one side, but although we couldn’t fix it properly, fiddling with it must have done something good and the engine was running fine today. We drove off from Orchid Beach along one of the typical single-width, but 2-way tracks. You have to keep your speed up when driving through soft sand and we had heard there’s lots off accidents when people are charging along these tracks in opposite directions. Luckily we didn’t come across much oncoming traffic this weekend but it can become challenging when you do. Just after leaving, we had to negotiate with a huge garbage truck coming the other way. Obviously it won, but we had to get 3 cars out of the way and the only available turn-off area was really soft sand. We had more boggage and it was about 10 minutes before the truckie could get past – he must hate amateurs like us!
With some local knowledge now, we traversed Waddy Point and Indian Head with no problems this time. The secret is just to not stop! Dee took that philosophy (and the car’s suspension) to the limit as he threw the Hilux into a ditch and launched out the other side. I never knew these cars could handle that much punishment until then! He didn’t lose too much gear out the tray either.
The sky was cloudy this morning and it rained a tiny bit as we drove south. When we arrived at Eli Creek though, the weather was better and we had time for another swim, so we did. There’s always time for photos of people jumping, and people’s bottoms… which isn’t always a good thing.
Who should we see drinking beer on their deckchairs at the side of the creek? Ah, it’s the really friendly, really dirty not-so-old men who guided us to our Orchid Beach campsite yesterday, keeping an eye on the tourists… mainly the young female European ones, but nevertheless providing a valuable community service.
Aoife was making drip-castles by herself at the side of the creek, so I joined her. My first one grew taller than any of hers, so of course she knocked it down. I feigned a tantrum and ran away. About 10 minutes later, she came over to me, grabbed my hand and took me back to show me where she had rebuilt my castle! Nice. She’ll live.
We arrived at the ferry spot about 20 minutes early, but much later we would have had trouble getting around a log across a narrow section of beach, which sent us slightly into the water. About 5 other vehicles made it round later though.
So here we were at the end of 4 days on Fraser Island, famous for its dingoes. None of us saw a single one! Not during the day anyway. The ferry guy said they’re pupping at the moment, and hiding in the bushes. It would have been great to see some, but at least we didn’t have to worry about chasing any of them away, or worse, fighting with them. I’m not going to miss the flies though.
Back on the mainland, we stopped for a feed at Rainbow Beach and then split to make our ways back home. Thanks for a great weekend, my friends!
