Hervey Bay and Fraser Island

McKenzie Lake, Fraser Island

Our next stop was Hervey Bay, a nice, but quiet, little town, with some relativel deserted beaches to wander along and watersports options if that's your thing. Had we had longer nearby, we might have visited Bundaberg, to see the sugar plant and rum distillery, or popped in to Maryborough, the little town where P.L.Travers (author of Mary Poppins), was born and lived until she was eight.

Cat on Fraser Island ferry

The purpose of our short visit was to go to Fraser Island, a world heritage site that is 123 km long and 22 km wide, and covered in sand dunes, rainforest and freshwater lakes. It is also home to dingos which, due to the isolation of being on an island, are some of the closest to the original species, before mating with other dogs diluted the breed. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to catch a glimpse of any during our visit.

We had to get a bus and ferry out to the island. We were somewhat surprised to find that the ferry had a resident cat, which kept us amused during the short crossing. Once on the island, we picked up an all terrain truck, that would take us around the sandy tracks of the island.

McKenzie Lake, Fraser Island

McKenzie Lake, Fraser Island

Our first stop was a freshwater lake called Lake McKenzie, where once again, our lack of interest in swimming or sunbathing left us a bit adrift. But we weren't there too long, and it was pretty, so it was OK.

Rainforest, Fraser Island

Further inland, we stopped at the old logging station, Central Station. There isn't much left here now, but it provides the starting point for a guided walk through the rainforest, and along Wanggoolba Creek. Our guide pointed out edible plants along the way.

Rainforest, Fraser Island

Rainforest, Fraser Island

Rainforest, Fraser Island

75 mile beach, Fraser Island

One of the main draws here, is 75 mile beach - yes, that is how long it is - which is both a highway and a landing strip for the small aircraft that do scenic flights here. As inviting as it may look, the beach itself isn't a good place to swim, due to strong currents and the likelihood of sharks in the water.

Eli Creek, Fraser Island

A better place to swim would be the champagne pools, which we didn't visit, or Eli Creek.

Coloured sand cliffs, Fraser Island

Near to the latter, are the coloured sand cliffs, which, together with the large sand blows, form part of one of the best examples of coastal sand dune systems in the world.

Maheno shipwreck, Fraser Island

One of my favourite spots though, was that of the rusting hulk of the Maheno shipwreck. The was a New Zealand cruise liner, built in Scotland in 1905, which was being towed to an Oskaa shipbreaker in 1935, when an out of season cyclone snapped the tow rope.

Maheno shipwreck, Fraser Island

The shipped drifted off and ended up beached here. As no one wanted to go to the effort of removing it, the fittings were stripped and here it remains, gradually disintegrating. I am sure it is something of an environmental disaster, but it does look beautiful.

Maheno shipwreck, Fraser Island

75 mile beach, Fraser Island

Maheno shipwreck, Fraser Island

Fraser Island