Have you ever been to Fraser Island, Australia? If not, you definitely need to get there. Like now. It is next level gorgeous! Let me tell you about the week I spent there with my family recently.
Firstly, for some unknown reason, we needed to leave home at 2:30AM!!! Not even a real time I swear. But we manage to get into the car and head off. (My partner and I carpooled with my dad and step mum because we don't own a 4WD and Fraser Island is a 4WD access only place). We drive 4 hours to Rainbow Beach to get to the barge and theres already a long line of cars waiting to go across to the island. I already feel like I've entered a different world.
The barge across is pretty quick (10-15 minutes) and by that stage my brother-in-law has already opened his first beer at 7am, which is an indication of how the holiday continues.
As we disembark the barge, a line of 4WDs start to make their way down the beach and onto their respective destinations. As we are driving along I am amazed at how untouched the island appears to be compared with other islands I have visited (e.g. Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island). We take a quick pit stop at the Shipwreck where everyone grabs a fresh beer before continuing on our way. Fun fact: The name of the ship is SS Maheno and it was an ocean liner belonging to the Union Company of New Zealand that operated in the Tasman Sea, crossing between New Zealand and Australia, from 1905 until 1935. She was also used as a ship by the New Zealand Naval Forces during World War I. She was washed ashore on Fraser Island by a cyclone in 1935 where the disintegrating wreck remains as a popular tourist attraction.
We spent a whole week on Fraser Island where most days blurred into one beautiful, beer filled beach day. We often just found a beautiful bit of beach and set up the gazebos and chairs and either fished or relaxed or went exploring. Exploring had to be done in groups though due to the dingoes. We rented a house in Orchid Beach but there are also many other areas of the island to stay that are perhaps more tourism friendly. The area we stayed in was definitely for the 4WD regulars.
If you ever head to Fraser though, watch out for the dingoes! They really are everywhere. This sign was on the fridge when we arrived and there were more signs at the local corner store. We saw a few dingoes around the barge area and on the beach at night time (sorry no photos, I often left my phone at the house because there is no phone reception of internet connection).
Amazing trip, highly recommended travel destination!
