Fraser Me!

Last December saw me heading up to Fraser Island, on the eastern coast of tropical(ish) Queensland. This trip was for a conference, which required a fair bit of effort and even more stress, getting to. Conference was very good, I achieved what I went to do and saw just a little bit more of Australia.

Here's a summary of points of interest about the trip (apart from the science which I won't go into):

1. The journey there took 12 hours: beginning with a bus ride at 5.20 am, 1 flight, 2 train trips, another bus ride and a ferry trip.

2. The journey back took less effort but more pain since I was severely dehydrated, hung over, hungry, and at one point, busting to pee.

3. Went birdwatching. Now developed a better appreciation and a keener sense for our winged friends.

4. Since Fraser Island is a sand island, I had my first experience of 4WD-ing over sand. And appreciating how difficult it is seeing all the inexperienced backpackers getting bogged in sand. There's something to be said about careening down the beach at high speed though.

5. The said 4WD tour involved a very Oz bloke named Murray- or Mezza (?). He was very sweet, very informative and I truly enjoyed my nature jaunt with him. It's almost like walking through a doco, narrated by a David Attenborough with an Okka accent.

Here are some pictures:

Me and Kyles on beautiful Lake Mckenzie. It's an inland, highland, natural lake with high mineral content- good for the skin apparently. A natural spa soak!

The Woongoolbver Creek at Central Station- previously barred from men- sacred to Aboriginal women who come here to give birth because the water was pure and clean. I kinda like the thought. The rivers' water were so clear that it's as if it's not there!

And finally- the mad drive down the beach! Look out for that plane!