Hey, thought it would be useful for some to put up a trip report for my recent trip to Fraser. Conditions have probably changed significantly with the 1.5 million people island this weekend...
We were a solo trip from 10 to 17 March. To be honest, save for the backpacker tag along tours, out of holiday season is the best way to go. Little to no crowds which means a little peace and tranquility and no traffic getting around the island.
Unfortunately for me the wind was pretty much blowing all week (south east) and hard so didn’t get the rods out to fish in any meaningful way.
The tides were kind with low high tides at the start of the week and good times which made it great for morning and half day exploring.
The weather looks like it had been pretty brutal over the summer. The beach was a road, literally like a highway.
On the way up (we stayed in a house at Orchid Beach) we were three going on four hours after low so it was a bit slow. But two or three hours each side of high tide was sublime.
We went over from Rainbow.
Inland tracks were mixed. The highly trafficked tracks were all okay. Some of the more remote ones were a little rougher. Nothing worth worrying about in any capable 4wd.
There were some usual stupid sections eaten to death by the big tour buses going into and out of Mackenzie.
Had plenty of time so hit all the highlights including a few of the less visited places which we had to ourselves.
Was really glad to get up to Sandy Cape and the lighthouse. Sensational drive up there. And maybe only a handful of vehicles up there for the day. The rocks were all straight forward. Sand was a little soft but the JK ate it up.
Had a good chat to some volunteers up at the lighthouse who where there on turtle hatching duty.
Fuel was $2.10 at Eurong, $2.20 at Happy Valley and $2.20 at Orchid Beach. Same price for diesel. I’m sure it was a bit more this weekend [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
For those that recall, there was a cyclone that ended up as a tropical low as it went past the island some 300 km away. Some epic surf around Indian Head and Waddy Point. Nice and clean given the south easterly swell. Hadn’t seen it like that before which was pretty cool.
Almost as much fun as watching the backpackers getting cleaned up and washed onto the rocks in the Champagne Pools during 5 plus metre swell. Those tag along tours have some hide to put them in those conditions...
Let me know if you have any specific questions and I’ll see if I can swing you an answer.
By the way - there was plenty of dingoes around so keep an eye out if you have kids.
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Fraser Island Trip Report
