Roma

After more than 6 hours driving from Fraser Island, we ended up in Roma. We checked in at the Roma Gun Club which has spots for caravans. It was a quiet area and we only heard some shots for a few minutes. 

Weather in Roma is unseasonably hit. Its 40c in spring. We could see that people with air conditioner in their caravans are huddled in their vans while the rest of us are outside.

We took the tour at the Roma saleyard. It is one of the biggest sale yards for cattles. We were taken around the pens and observed auctions. The price of live cattle is now averaging $2.60/kg. Relative to the price we buy at supermarkets, the cheapest cut of meat is about $10/kg, scotch fillet is around $25/kg.

With the temperature hitting 40c in the day, we spent one day at the Commonwealth Hotel and today at the public library. Free air conditioning and internet! Having no income, we have to skimp whenever we can.

Final Week

Our last week in Fraser is spent on the western side, where we get to see sunset. We have not been witnessing sunrise on the eastern front the last couple of weeks as we are not early risers. Having said this, we have been waking up early compared to our city life.

Sunset view from our home

Our initial plan to camp at Bowaraddy Creek was dashed when we could not drive across the creek where the sites are. We went over to Awinya Creek, a couple of km further. One downside and perhaps why not many prefer this area is that you can only drive across the creek during low tide. We ended up staying put at camp instead of driving around during the days. 

Kayaks all ready

Since the ocean is sheltered by Hervey Bay, we were able to take our kayaks out. It was also good fishing. I got a big whiting from where the creek meets the sea. It was nothing compared to the flat heads that our camp neighbour, Peter gave us. So, finally, we had our maiden main fish dinner!

The fish I caught

It became windy the next few days and we decided to leave early. We have had a bit too much salt. Everything tasted salty due to the wind. 

The piece on the left was mine. The big piece is a flat head from Peter

Second Camp

Left Cornwells campground after 7 days and headed further north of Fraser. Was bogged in the sand only once. Good thing about getting stuck here is that you get lots of help. The one-vehicle track means that everyone can't pass. They either sit and watch or help you. Before long, we got going again. Only less than 10 vehicles behind us. Not too bad for peak traffic!

Having breakfast with a view

Our 2nd campground is at Ocean Lake. It is still beach camping with the lake about 1km inland. This time, we chose higher ground with a view. 

The next morning, we took a lazy stroll along the beach. A couple of pelicans were out and about. Came across a lady who was looking for worms, trawling a bag of smelly dead fish to attract them to surface. I have seen lots of people doing this but never saw the bait. Finally saw what it was. The lady was really nice to give us a few. Feeling hopeful for fish dinner tonight, again.

The worm

Took a drive to Champagne Pools

Nature

It has been a day full of sightings. The day started with some pelicans. Just before lunch, we saw a couple of whales looking out from our camp.

Whales

After lunch we took a short drive to Waddy Point and saw manta or stingray rays swimming around and along came a sea turtle. It came to the surface before quickly diving back into the water again. Too quick for a picture.

On the way back to the car, we saw a dingo.

Sure felt happy watching these animals in their natural environment.

Lake Day

Checking out the wreck on the beach

The beach is also a runway for the planes

The plan for the day is to visit a few lakes since Fraser has many inland lakes. The day did not go as planned. Road closures stopped us from getting to Lake Birrabeen and Boomanjin. Having no plan B, we picked a track and drove. It proved to be a scenic drive especially to the Valley of the Giants. There were hardly anyone and we had lunch by a creek, sitting on the bridge. The downside was the mozzies having their lunch as well!

It turned out that "lake day" was the next day, though not planned. First we looked at  Lake Allom. Then we hiked about 35 mins to an unnamed lake where we had lunch and took a dip. It was TJ's first skinny dip! On our way home, we saw a sign to Lake Ga....something( I forgot the name) and took the detour. Another dip before we headed back to camp.

Driving across the bridge we had lunch at Valley of the Giants

This was the day we finally saw a dingo having a bath in the sea and a snake sunning across the track. TJ had to move it along with a stick as we did not want to run it over.

Basin Lake Walk

Our initial plan was an ambitious 18km walk from Central Station to Lake McKenzie and Lake Birrabeen loop. We passed through Pile Valley. After about 2.5km, we found the track was closed. We decided to turn around and head to Basin Lake instead.

Walking through pile valley

The walk to Basin Lake from Central Station is 3km. In total, we did a 10km walk, which I am glad

Basin Lake, a rainwater lake

we did instead of the 18km. It would have been a hard day to do the distance.

TJ swimming

Basin Lake was a great find. While it is not a perched lake with crystal clear blue water like McKenzie, there is hardly anyone there. We saw a group of 5 people who were leaving as we arrived and a couple of Germans who lived in Byron Bay. As Todd was preparing to jump into the lake, a tour group turned up! After a brief 10 minutes talk by the guide and a few photos, they left. Whew!

The water was refreshing but most importantly, it was quiet. It  Just us and the couple, swimming with some small ducks.

A kookaburra by the creek

Dip in Lake McKenzie

Our itinerary for today is to drive to Lake McKenzie. On the way, we stopped at Stonetool, a sandblow dune and walked out to Lake Wabby lookout.

Sandblow

Lake McKenzie was busy. Hate to see how crowded it gets in peak season. We took a refreshing swim as it is a beautiful lake. Crystal clear water. No wonder its so popular. Plus a swim would mean we save on a shower later!

Lake McKenzie

Shower for the day

No food or drinks are allowed at lake side to avoid the dingoes going after the food. There are signs all over the island to remind you to store away your food, do not feed and stay away from them. We decided to lunch at Central Station, a former logging station. The place is covered with tall trees. Impressive canopies. After lunch, we took a short walk along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk.

Trees adorning the picnic area at Central Station

Wanggoolba Creek

Fraser Island

On the barge

Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world. It has a lot of dingoes and you are reminded everywhere of signs not to feed, leave food out or go near them.

Driving along Fraser Island

Woke up early on the day we left for Fraser. The drama in the morning was a brush turkey getting caught on a piece of fishing line on a tree. It was hanging up side down from a branch. TJ drove the car over to reach the line and took it down. His good deed for the day.

After saying goodbye to our neighbours for the last 3 nights, we went over to Fraser on the barge. It was only us and a bus on board. We eventually figured out that high tide was 10am and we had to drive along the high end of the beach which is soft. No wonder there were not many cars both ways. If wasn't a problem for us except for the higher fuel consumption. 

Before setting up camp at Cornwells, we made a stop at Eurong village, where we indulged in a sausage roll and pie. I believed this was our first junk food since we left a week ago. 

We found a site and finished setting up at 3pm, just in time to get a dip in the ocean before it gets too cold. With no fire allowed at Fraser, we settled for hotdogs.

Fishing

Fishing is like golf. You keep on casting and casting thinking that you will get one in the next cast. 

There are constantly people along the beach fishing. Just pick a spot on the beach and cast away. We did not use live bait, so the chances of us getting a bite was quite slim. However, we were still hopeful to catch dinner. Our dinner was beautiful...lamb chops with the best potato TJ claimed he ever had!

Rainbow Beach and Inskip Point

On our way to Inskip Point, we drove passed Rainbow Beach, a long stretch of beach with cliffs on one side and the sea on the other. Camping is allowed along the beach. One spot on Rainbow Beach is notorious for the rocks and cars getting stuck. Its good bye to the car if they can't get out by high tide. Due to mother nature, the rocks are now covered with sand, which must be disappointing for the adventure seekers.

We are now camping at Inskip Point, approximately 1km to the ferry taking us to Fraser Island. Our campground is called M.V Sarawak. Surprised to see there were so many people even when its a week day and not school holidays. Looks like we are not the only ones on the road. From our camp site, we could look across to Fraser Island, our destination in 4 days.

Fraser Island across the water

Point Cartwright

While we don't have any dads around to celebrate father's day, we did have brunch at a cafe in Point Cartwright in Sunshine Coast. It was busy as the locals gathered for picnic. 

After brunch, we went for a walk to the Point Cartwright lighthouse and took in the view.

The highlight was the ride in our friends' purple moke. 

Bokarina

We are in Bokarina in Sunshine Coast, staying with friends who have just moved here from Brissie. The weather here is beautifully warm in the day and pleasant night time. 

bad attempt at selfie

Bokarina is located between Moolloolaba and Kawana, a growing area. The beach is clean and primary used by locals unlike Moolloolaba or the popular Noosa. On Saturday, we joined the beach clean up day organised by the local residents. 

our friend with the clean up bag 

After an hour of walking the beach, I ended up with 1 bottle lid and a few pieces of paper. We had to really looked to find rubbish! The rubbish were then sorted in order to get data for the council

Passmore Reserve

There is nothing much here except that its a free site to park and stay for the night. This place is about 23km west of Clifton and next the the Condamine River. Its a big area with some picnic tables and bins. No toilet facilities.

Passmore Reserve Camp

Sculptures in the Shrubs

Not an arts person, I have now seen 2 sculpture exhibits. The sculptures in Pilliga NP is not much different from the infamous Sculpture by the Sea in Sydney except for the location.

There are approximately 6 sculptures along the trail each with a story to tell based on aboriginal stories. It was interesting as one would not expect this in a national park. 

The campground is very well maintained with clean toilets and free BBQs. Looks like a lot of money has been put into the park.

Free BBQ. Just BYO food

Launch Day - One Day before the start of Spring

It was an early morning start at 6.30. Partly to avoid peak hour traffic.

Early spring bloom of wattles

First stop was Mudgee. This is one area we listed as potential future home. The place made it to our list after watching Doctor Doctor, the channel 9 series, which was filmed there. The famous shot from the show was the clock tower, which we obviously did not missed.

Modern Spick & Span Toilets

One surprised for me was the public toilet right at the edge of the town. Its one of those modern self cleaning, flushed when you wash your hands and with a time limit of 10 minutes. You also get to listen to music while in there.

We reached our first stop for the night around 4pm. It was in Pilliga National Park called Sculptures in the Shrubs.