SEQ Trip Report – Fraser Island -July 2014

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Below is our mini trip report for the Fraser trip we did last weekend. We were meant to be going to Moreton Island but unfortunately the barge was booked out before we could all get tickets so we changed the Trip to Fraser. It was decided to make this a dads and sons trip, with Craig, Michael and sons only able to join with the late notice.
It was a low maintenance plan, pack up the Prado Friday night, drive the 3 hours to Fraser Saturday morning, camp, fish and enjoy the island, then return Monday night.

Saturday saw us on the road for the three hours drive to Fraser, unfortunately I was a little late but we soon made that up, a fact not forgotten by the boys. ( well my story was to get he tides right…J) Picked up the barge tickets and aired down to 20psi at Inskip point. The forecast as for a sunny weekend but some lingering rain had hung around, but we were hoping for clear sky’s.

We were greeted at the barge by a 4WD being taken away on a flatbed truck. Hopefully this wasn’t an omen….




Michaels well set up 150 on barge.



The Manta Ray barge



The artistic shot


We stopped to stretch the legs and a bite to eat at Eurong as we were camping up at Orchid beach this weekend. The weather had started to close in





The good thing about the rain was that it packed down the sand and after low tide it was a glass smooth drive

Video Here

The video setup is just my iPad in a RAM mount on the windscreen. Works really well with no movement.




We stopped at the Maheno wreck . Since I had been here last year a heap of sand has now been deposited in and around the wreck so you can walk fully around it now. Seems to be getting smaller every time I see it.




Continued 2.

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The we arrived at Indian Head which was very firm

We had planned to camp near Orchid beach but the spot Michael had organized wasn’t quite what we were expecting, so an on the fly change was change was required. I had been to Waddy Point before which is nice and leafy and a good camping area close to the beach. So a short trip later and we rocked up to find a perfect spot for us, we Jumped on-line (telstra is the only phone coverage there) and booked it (handy thing those tablets sometimes!) and it was all ours for the weekend.

It’s a cracking little spot, north of Indian head so no tour backpackers, fences so its dingo safe, clean toilets and $1 coin operated Hot showers. Decent fire rings are provided in your camp spots as well. There were about six other groups in the entire campground with us, so we never felt crowed. It also has a fenced day use BBQ area as well. Top little spot.







Craig had managed to bring half a tree cut up in the back of the Prado which was like watching him unload the Tardis. It just kept on coming. The tents went up and we fired up Michaels Weber, and a great feed ensured followed by a cold beer or two..
The kids ended up roasting marshmallow before the long days caught up with them. It was a very pleasant night and not as cold as expected, a bonus is the area had no mossy’s , so it turned out to be a jolly night around the roaring fire with some cold beers and good company.




We were amused by the health warnings on Craig mystical fire packets he picked up from Anaconda. It does look good but with those colours it produces, I reckon it is made in Chernobyl….






Morning I awoke to the soothing sounds of the local birds and two dueling snoring bears in the Oztents ( sundown repeated )….
The clouds had gone and it was a cracking day ahead, bright blue sunshine and nice and warm.
A relaxing fry up of bacon , eggs and the coffee say saw us well fed for the days activities. Sunday was to be a day at the very tip of Sandy cape. Although it seemed now fishing may take a back seat to the kids activities.




The drive up to the Sandy Cape, north of Indian head, Fraser is such a beautiful island.





Continued 3.

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We arrived at Nagala rock to see a traffic jam on the bypass road, with a bogged Nissan. Road pressures of 35psi had them come unstuck and with little clearance they had also bellied out. A quick drag back and Craig whipped out his Maxtrax , some sand clearing and they were once happily again away and so where we. Nice people and I am sure they all learned a lesson that day on sand driving.







Video going through

Just before sandy cape
http://youtu.be/iN3t4PHLWzQ
( you can only have 1 youtube video per post on pradopoint, so all the rest are links that will load the you tube video when you click on them, Unless an Admin can fix this forum limitation please. Thanks)

Rounding Sandy Cape. Great fishing gutters up there.
http://youtu.be/71X8Tz08fos


My Prado






Michael found a cracking set of sand dunes for the kids to play on, So we set up for an extended stay and lunch while they wore themselves out climbing the dunes.









A lunch of BBQ Plum Kebabs, sausages and wraps in one of the most beautiful places on earth, it does n’t get better than that
The dads decided to wear off a bit of lunch and climbed the dunes as well. Which are deceivingly high but great views to be had up there.


Continued 4.

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The Fraser map on the iPad.



Time had slipped away for a relaxing lunch and the kids busy so it was time to make a move.
Returning back via Negala rocks.

We had good intentions for a fish but had been delayed due to the activities of the day, so we were determined to get in a quick fish. Unfortunately we had the tides all wrong but the Kids didn’t care and everyone had a ball as the daylight was slowly creeping away.

That night we burnt what was left of the firewood that could be seen from space. and had a raging fire and a cracking BBQ. All washed down with cold beer, some of Craigs 43 and a bottle of port.



Monday morning had us packing up for a bit of island exploring. All the tents were pulled down and the OZ tents won for quick pack up. My Blackwolf tent is fantastic on putting up and taking down, it’s just a bugger getting it into the bag, as it’s a 2 man job!
They have made the bag too small so that it is a real struggle, just a little bit bigger and it would be easier to pack up. Are you listening to me Blackwolf. Meh, I already sent them some product feedback via email but they don’t seem to be interested. Anyway with the fire put out and us all packed up we had planed trip to Eli creek to have a look, stop at Eurong, then over to lack Mackenzie and King Fisher…. The best laid plans….


On the way we stopped off at Champagne pools and its just a stunning view up there





We also spotted a huge manta ray swimming below us have a peachy time.





The pools seemed to be loaded with a bus full of Swedish tourists named Helga, or so I was told…



.

Passing through Indian Head
http://youtu.be/An1sHBZmRPI



Quick Stop at the Maheno wreck for a photo




Continued 5.

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We arrived at Eli Creek for a quick look, but the kids had other ideas as they shot out and into the water, what was going to be a quick stop ended up with the boys have a great time in the creek. It wasn’t nearly as cold as I expected. A great way to occupy a couple of hours….. Mid afternoon was almost upon us and there was no way we were going to make Lake Mackenzie or Kingfisher if we wanted to catch the last barge of the day. So a quick bite to eat at Eurong and we were on our way to the barge



Craig and Michael found this puddle a bit deeper than expected!

http://youtu.be/MzaqzEC4PEE
Craigs’ number plate was lost to the puddle monster as well.

Not long after Craig reported the engine light on the dash. Must be a Petrol thing......
We could not find the problem but a reset of the electrical system fixed it a couple of times.


What 20psi tyre imprints look like in the sand





Lined up waiting for the Barge





Looking over to Inskip point after a fantastic day







Video of Leaving the barge
http://youtu.be/mbUJr2iG7YQ


A three hour drive home and with that out long weekend was over.
In summary, another great trip away with great mates and family. Thanks to Michael, Oscar , Craig and Ronan for an excellent weekend.
I am looking forward to a return fishing trip shortly as this places just gets in your blood.

Cheers
Robert

[BiLLz0r Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close BiLLz0r]

Great thread, pics and videos Gumboot.
We go next month and good to see what the beach and bypasses are like. Can't wait.

[LargeInAPrado Member Find all posts View Profile Close LargeInAPrado]

Rob excellent report as per usual theres a couple of vids missing haha . Im very impressed with those vids though apart from the fact im in a few, the mount and the ipad works really really well.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Looks like a another great weekend adventure

After our Cape Trip and my eldest son's fishing attempts, I know he's wanting to do some weekend beach trips to try his hand at fishing.....

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Looks like a great trip.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

You'll have to come along sometime mjr!

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

Great report Robert. Just makes me want to go back there again...oh well one day in the future maybe?? I'll go through the vids again when I've time!

Monday morning had us packing up for a bit of island exploring. All the tents were pulled down and the OZ tents won for quick pack up. My Blackwolf tent is fantastic on putting up and taking down, it’s just a bugger getting it into the bag, as it’s a 2 man job!
They have made the bag too small so that it is a real struggle, just a little bit bigger and it would be easier to pack up. Are you listening to me Blackwolf. Meh, I already sent them some product feedback via email but they don’t seem to be interested.

I think I have the same tent as you. Tip..I use x2 cam buckles at either end when I fold and wrap my Blackwolf T. Tent and from memory I think I've one (or two) on the fly? I'm not going to get in out now for a look. Your right, they are a bugger to put back in the bag without these aids. Also after you tighten the cam buckles do another job for @ 5 mins (empty the kids dunny etc), return to have another tighten of the buckles, this whole process lets a lot of excess air out! Hopefully after this you will find it a lot easier to put back in the bag..by yourself????

Many thanks..C.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

You'll have to come along sometime mjr!

That I will but it will have to wait until work settles down a bit. Bit crazy at the moment. Just been through the internal Corporate Governance Audit with the old parent and about to go through the same but different for new mummy. But exciting times ahead so I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Fozzy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fozzy]

Great report - slightly off topic when my Blackwolf bag split because they are too bleedin' small I had the local canvasmaker knock me up one that now has room for extra poles and a heap of other gear.

Downside is the whole assembly is even bigger, need a team of porters to carry the thing.

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

A stunning report that makes it look not as daunting as some of the others do.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

I'll just add a few of my pics to the mix. Thanks again Robert for arranging the what turned out to be a "Dad's n Lads weekend. The boys all got along like a house on fire. Made for a great weekend... (Not a bad plan B after cancelling Moreton Is.!)

Nearly there...


Selfie at the Iconic Maheno.



A little too late to swab the decks me thinks...



What would be "Club Prado" for the weekend. Great spot at Waddy Point and we'll definitely be back!



SE Qld Crew group shot



LargeInAPrado's 150 leading the way...



Another unashamed selfie...



My kind of Traffic...
Heading towards Flinder Sandblow, Sandy Cape



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