Saturday 28th June.
Started on Saturday afternoon after work. We towed the trailer outside into the cul-de-sac and finished packing. The weather was alright, but then turned windy and even rained. We were there until about 6.30pm. Had nearly everything done, then headed upstairs for the finishing touches. We had dinner and sat the kids down in front of a movie so we could just finish the last of the packing to leave first thing in the morning.
Sunday 29th June.
Was up by 5am, had showers then woke the kids. Got everyone in the vehicles, all sorted with their breakfast, then headed off, just a bit before 6am. Made some very good time, as our first stop wasn’t until well after 2.5 hours. The kids all swapped cars and we headed off again. This time stopping at Macksville for lunch and a well deserved coffee, which actually, wasn’t very nice. Headed off again, after about a 45min stop. Made our way towards Ballina and was there before 4pm.
The kids all had a swim, which was nuts as it was fairly cold at the pre-booked motel in Ballina we decided on, to break the long trip up. We sorted out a few things, strapping one of the grey space cases on the draw bar of the camper trailer to refit a few things. We showered everyone and then headed off to get dinner and have a pic taken with the ‘Big Prawn’, which just happened to be right in the Bunnings carpark! (I haven’t added this picture as it was dark and not very good).
We had fish and chips for dinner, which everyone seemed to enjoy and it wasn’t long before everyone was in bed as it had been a long day, I actually think we were all asleep before 8pm!!!
Monday 30th June.
Slept fairly well, although woke a few times, I guess as we were all in bed so early. Was up before 5, having had showers and waking the kids, in the car just after 5.30am. Had a long drive ahead, hoping to leave a bit earlier than scheduled to make up some time.
Jason had to have a shock repaired on his truck, so when we hit Brisbane we headed straight for Zordo’s and had it repaired. The kids and I all headed off to Woolies to do the remainder of the Fraser shopping. Jason met us there, unexpectedly, as his car had already been repaired, didn’t take long at all. We repacked the truck, with the shopping then off we went for the last part of the long journey to Fraser. We refuelled his truck at Rainbow Beach, which is the hub to Fraser, a lot like Jindabyne is to the snow fields, I think. We left my car on the street just outside the service station and headed to a park to fill the tanks of the trailer and the jerry cans with water before heading to the barge, where we let the tyres down on the truck and the trailer, all to about 20psi.
We were lucky as the barge was there when we drove onto the beach, so we boarded and waited for a few minutes, then off we went. Jason was the first to leave the barge at the other side and did well, with the trailer in tow, as he was a bit nervous because of the combined weight of both the truck, trailer and all on board.
We had hit Fraser Island and it wasn’t long before we saw our first dingo. Off we went, travelling north for quite a distance to find our campsite and friends who were already there and start our great new adventure together. We eventually found them, after driving past once and having to back track, arriving about 4pm.
Drove up and met most of the others, some we didn’t know, then after eventually getting the trailer in the right spot, we set up camp. Was a little bit of mucking around but finally got most things organised. We sent the kids over to one of the other camps, where we had pre-organised each family to do one dinner for all of the children and adults. They all ate it, then it wasn’t long before we put the kids all to bed, after they had dessert and a play on the dunes in the dark then headed off to have our dinner too, which was beef stew and mash and as it was a very cold evening, this dinner was perfect. Was surprisingly cold and windy, well down in the single figures and as you can’t have fires on the island, we had to rug up.
Was into bed not long after dinner as it had been a long day driving and we had been up early, it didn’t take long to fall asleep, although wasn’t going to be a good night as it was so windy and so unexpectedly cold!
Tuesday 1st July.
As expected we didn’t have a good night, Megan was up at some point as she was scared of the noise of the canvas flapping and Zarah was then up as she was cold and scared of the noise as well. Not a good first night.
Despite the broken sleep they were all up fairly early, even though it was dark in the tent. The sun was up, although it was still very windy and rather cool. We all had breakfast and I made coffees for us, we both organised the finishing touches for the trailer while the kids were all outside playing with all of the other children. We then got a few things together and set off for our first look around the island.
All four families headed off together towards Eli Creek, it was good fun travelling in convoy. The kids all had a swim in the creek, which was fairly fast flowing and I think from their response, rather cold at that too. We walked along the board walk as the kids all just floated by. They all had a few turns floating down the creek despite how cold it was, there was a slight breeze, which didn’t help either. There were two dingo’s near the creek, a ranger was also there, saying the dingo’s were about and to be wary.
After visiting the creek, we all headed off towards Lake Mackenzie, although we had to meet the others there, as they had taken a wrong turn and we lost radio contact with them. We did a lap of area, then headed off, before doing a big loop and ending up at the lake again. We had lunch there and the kids went for a quick swim, the water was cold, surprisingly, although it did look beautiful, some of us only getting our feet wet!
After lunch and the kids quick, cool dip, we all headed back to camp. Was yet again starting to turn into a very cold evening. Wasn’t our turn to cook, so we got the kids all sorted and into their pj’s before they headed off to have dinner, this time, taco’s, which they all enjoyed. We put the kids to bed after yet again another play, probably a good idea, as it did warm them up a bit. We headed off to have our dinner, which was chicken, salad and bread. Was a very nice meal, but yet again was a very cold night. Stayed there for a little while, but because it was so cold and we were sitting outside it wasn’t long before heading off to bed ourselves, mainly to warm up!! Was also, yet again, a very windy night too.
Wednesday 2nd July….Happy Birthday Jason!
Was a fun morning, with the kids all excited because it was Jason’s birthday…..everyone in bed! He opened some presents then we all got up and the day began. Had a slow morning, having breakfast and coffee. They all had a play on the dunes behind the campsite, then watching whales…..a lot of whales were swimming past and playing this morning, is rather an incredible sight to see, so close to the shore. They were breaching, playing and having a lovely time. I did take heaps and heaps of photos of them, but won’t bore you with them all, just adding a few instead.
We spent all morning at the campsite, as did everyone else. We had lunch there before all heading off to Indian Head to do a touch of fishing, hopefully catching something for dinner! Was a beautiful day, with the sun shining, however was still rather cool, note the jumpers we were all wearing.
We were there for a while before heading back to the campsite for the afternoon, as the sun was going down, getting even cooler than it already was. We had dinner at Bernie’s tent tonight of butter chicken and rice with roti and naan. We sat around a bit earlier, while dinner was cooking making up stories, with each of us adding a sentence. The kids were fed, then had a short play before heading off to bed themselves. They all settled down, then it was our turn for dinner. Was cold sitting out in the open tent again, so we had dinner, which was very nice and warming, then sat around for a short time before heading off ourselves to bed…..as yet again it was cold, really cold and bed is the only way to warm up when one isn’t allowed a fire….to the point that it was even too cold to sit around and drink!
Thursday 3rd July.
The kids were up and making noise, we tried to stay in bed for as long as possible…… didn’t really work though. They did get up and play cards then each got themselves breakfast. We were up not long after. Had breakfast ourselves, with coffee’s. Sat in the sun for a little while, behind the tent, which out of the wind, was lovely and yet again, whale watching. We had all decided to walk up to Indian Head, so we all set off, having packed the truck for a full day out, with towels, cosies, lunch and the kettle!!!!
Headed straight to Indian Head, then walked up to the top, was a beautiful day, still cool though. From the top of Indian Head, which the kids all walked up easily, the views were just stunning, we could see for a very long way in all directions. Saw a young sea-eagle, some whales, three manta rays, and even a shark (which I didn’t actually see though)! The water was an amazing colour, so aqua, so clear, so cold, just beautiful!!! Walked back down to the trucks then headed off to the Champagne Pools for lunch and to spend a few hours.
When we first arrived at the Pools, there were so many people there that there was actually no spare space on the sand. We all sat on the rocks for a while, however not long after, their tour left, leaving the beach free. We all grabbed our spots and settled in for the afternoon. The others all left soon after lunch and headed off for another destination. We stayed on and actually had the beach to ourselves for at least 45 mins. Jason, Zarah and Megan all had a swim, the water apparently rather cool. We had a cup of tea but not long after that, a tour bus of people arrived. There was then no beach left at all. We packed up and headed back to the campsite as it was our night to do dinner, for everyone…..help!!!
Despite my panic, I was fairly organised for dinner. The kids arrived, so we fed them first, most seemed to enjoy it…..Pasta Carbonara! They had some marshmallows for dessert, then headed outside for a sparkler each, after which they were were all then put to bed, then adults came back for round two!!! Was a nice dinner and fairly warm inside the annex, so they all stayed for while, having pre-made brownie’s for dessert. Washed up, then everyone headed off….in bed after a long and fun day, rather exhausted!!!
Friday 4th July.
An early morning start, as Adam, Erin and the six of us were all heading to the top of the island, Sandy Cape. As Adam only had one of his, two of ours went in his truck, which was a lot less hassle, not having someone on our lap the whole time.
We set off just after 9am for the day. We drove straight to Sandy Cape first, which, surprisingly is a long way. The weather was turning dark and cloudy for the first time since our arrival. We made it to the end of the island and walked up the dunes to the top, was a stunning view, even though the clouds were closing in. We weren’t there long, before it started to rain, making us all run down the dunes back to the cars. We headed back down the island again, pulling off onto some side paths to test both trucks on some sand dune driving!
Was good fun, both trying to reach the top and go over some sand dunes. Had a few goes each, Adam nearly getting there a few times, but not quite. Jason finally reached the top and going over the dune….at the top however, I did let out a small yelp, as the track suddenly went to the left….we were originally heading to the right.
Made our way to Ocean Lake for a quick stop. Had morning tea there, was a fun drive in. Didn’t stay there long, before heading off again, this time towards Waddy Point.
Once at Waddy Point the kids all went on their boogie boards down the sand dunes. Was getting towards lunch time and Adam had told Jody that they would be back by lunch time, as they had to start organising things as they were heading home the following day.
We got lunch ready, but unfortunately had to eat it in the truck as it had started to rain, the shower didn’t last long however and we were outside once again. The kids all spent the afternoon riding the dunes and having a lovely time. We finally headed off, as it was getting cool and wanted to get the kids all warm and feed them dinner as it was back to just feeding our own families from here on in. We had chicken with a teriyaki sauce and rice. Was nice and everyone enjoyed it. Had the kids in bed and we just sat around the table in the annex for a while before heading to bed ourselves after a fun day of four wheel driving and sand dune riding!!!!
Saturday 5th July.
Slept alright, although was up during the night, yet again, due to cold kids, or noise from the wind on the annex, am looking forward to having a full, uninterrupted sleep……will it ever happen on this trip???
The kids are managing to feed themselves breakfast, so a least that’s one thing they can do. I made coffee’s for Jason and I and we sat in the sun, yet again, while whale watching……have never seen this many whales ever. Two families were leaving today, so they were busy packing up. We pottered around camp for a bit, getting a few things ready, before heading off to Waddy Point to meet Megan and Dennis for lunch. We arrived not long after them, and set up for the afternoon, both Dennis and Jason, putting up their car annex’s. All the children then had a great time either in the water, or sliding down the dunes on boards. As it was turning out to be quite a hot day, I even went for a quick dip. The water was cool, but not really freezing. I even had a go, with my Megan, on the back of a board, going down one of the dunes and ending up in the water, they all thoroughly enjoyed it.
We all had lunch, then just hung around for the afternoon. The others left, as they were heading back home the next day, and wanted to get a head start on the packing. Jason and I sat in the sun and had a beer, while the kids played in the water, we left a bit after 3pm and headed back to the campsite. As soon as the sun goes down, it gets very cold, very quickly. We came back and everyone had a quick shower and I washed hair, we then had sausages and salad for dinner.
Dennis came in for a quick drink before leaving for bed. The kids all went to bed by before 8pm, we stayed up for a little while, then headed there ourselves. Was nice to get into bed and get warm, as even in the annex it gets cold.
Sunday 6th July.
Wasn’t a terribly windy night, but it did get fairly cool before first light. I was awake for a while during the night, probably because we have been going to bed so early, the kids were up early again, surprise, surprise!!!
We just pottered around all morning, I actually did a fair amount of washing, as there was a fair amount to do. Did the washing while whale watching, just off the breakers, an extreme sight really. Was hung out in the sun, as it was turning out to be a beautiful day. Dennis, Megan and family all left by about 10am. We took some rods, chairs and things down to the front of the camp site to try some fishing, only caught a dart, which we threw back, if we don’t catch any, we will have hungry kids one night for dinner, as fish was on the menu!!!!
We headed back to camp, Jason still fishing. I laid in the sun for a while, it was beautiful, as I was protected from the wind, was bliss……for all of the 5 mins I got!!! Had a late lunch, then headed off for a drive, to dump some rubbish and to have a fish somewhere with a good gutter, that hopefully has fish in it! Actually saw a few dingo’s on our travels this time. Found a gutter up past our camp site, which still had a small amount of sun. Jason and I both caught more ‘darts’ which sucks. The sun didn’t last though, as it wasn’t long before it went behind some hills and became very cold, very quickly…..again. We didn’t stay there long and headed back to camp. Was yet again a surprisingly very cold evening. We all got dressed into warm clothing, the kids all wearing more than a few layers each and then had a quick game of touch footy. Was about 5.30pm by then, so we came inside and I started dinner. Dinner was tacos, which were tasty and which everyone seemed to enjoy. Washed up and pottered for a bit, before they were all off to bed, to hopefully sleep through the night and not wake us…touch fingers! We stayed in the annex for a bit, Jason, looking at some maps and me, catching up on my diary. Wasn’t long before we headed off to bed ourselves, as it was very cold….and yes, I sound like a broken record.
Monday 7th July.
Must be the going to bed early thing, as we were both up during the night for what seemed like ages. Was up when the kids got up, so we all sat and watched the sunrise, there were a few whales already making their way past, yet again a sight that will never get boring. Decided to do bacon and eggs for breakfast, which seemed to work out, as everyone ate and enjoyed them. We had decided to try and leave early, as we knew we were going to have a big day out. That plan didn’t work as well as we had hoped, as we didn’t head off until just before 10am.
Headed to the Maheno Ship wreck first thing. Lucky us….we managed to turn up just as two big tour buses arrived. Was a cool morning, with slight winds, so we had a look and took some pics, but didn’t really stay out for that long. Was back in the car and heading for Eli Creek, where everyone, except me, had swim. The kids went up and down a few times, and even though the water was apparently warmer than outside, the cool wind made it feel a lot colder.
After the swims at Eli Creek, we then headed to Lake Mackenzie, via Central Station. This was the Central Station for the logging that took place on the Island, until as late as 1990? Was a very pretty board walk around the area, with some incredible tall, large trees. There was a beautiful creek flowing through the area, that was so crystal clear, you wouldn’t at times, think there was any water in there at all. Finished our walk, then back in the car, this time for Lake Mackenzie.
Had lunch when we arrived at Lake MacKenzie, then all headed down to the Lake and had a quick dip, well I did anyhow, the kids were in there for a bit longer. There was a little bit of sun remaining, so when that disappeared, we left for a look at MacKenzie Jetty. Was interesting and very old, as there wasn’t much left of it. We then went on to Lake Wabby and the sand blows. Was fun four-wheel driving, Megan on my lap, having a lovely time. The sand blow was quite a thing to see, apparently growing at a rate of a meter a year. Took some photos, then headed to our next stop, which was another sand blow. Was getting late in the afternoon, darker and a lot cooler.
We stopped in at Happy Valley quickly for a some petrol. Left there, then headed back to our campsite, which was tough driving, as it was dark and the tides were high. Jason did very well, as it was very up and down, especially with the fresh water streams flowing into the sea from the left, saw one dingo on the way back. Arrived finally by 6.30pm, everyone cold and hungry. Had baked beans and tinned spag for dinner, with rockmelon and coconut for dessert. Not long after arriving back at camp, Jason pointed out dingo prints on a chair which had blown over and also around the hose that is outside, but attached to the sink, were prints and the area was clean, all little bits of food were eaten, which shows that they are around the area, maybe not so much when people are about. Was a long, fun day, with lots of sight seeing. Kids in bed, us not long after.
Tuesday 8th July.
Decided to have a slow day. Was up fairly early then had a slow, lazy breakfast. We packed the car for a day up the beach fishing, it was turning out to be a beautiful day, with little wind although was still cool. The kids all went swimming then we set up on the beach for our first session of fishing for the day.
Jason and Megan both caught whiting, Jason’s was of largish size, both big enough to keep for dinner, well entree at least. We were there a while, with the car towards the beach, which was apparently in the middle of the highway. Jason was fishing on the other side of a gutter when a police truck drove past, the kids then quickly saying that he had stopped and was making his way towards us. I was told that, although, it was a great spot for my ‘husband’ to go fishing, it wasn’t the best spot to leave the car, as other drivers had to struggle to get up over the soft sand….We had a quick chat and I said we were about to move the truck and go up the beach a bit more anyhow.
We headed up the beach to continue our fishing expedition. Parked the truck towards the back of the beach this time. We had lunch, make your own wraps again, then went fishing. The kids all entertained themselves, digging holes and dancing, while Jason and I tried to catch dinner…..not very successful though!!!
We stayed there for a little longer, before deciding to head off back towards our campsite. The two older girls went for a boogie board, the two youngest played on the sand dunes. When finally everyone was in, the two elder girls in the tent, Keira and Kye still on the dune at the front of our campsite, when two dingo’s made their way past. Jason was on the beach taking photo’s and scared the dingo’s off, however, one made it’s way over the dune, which was in the direction of Keira and Kye, which did scare them both……They disappeared at the noise we made….the dingo’s that is, not Keira and Kye.
We had dinner, which was fish for entree, then steak and salad for mains. Had a few games of cards before the kids all went to bed. Was a cool night again, although we stayed up a bit longer to try and make packing the trailer a little easier the next day. Was in bed before 9pm.
Wednesday 9th July.
Was up fairly early as we had a big day ahead of us…..driving from Fraser Island to Coffs Harbour. We had tried to organise a few things before bed, but we didn’t do that much. We all add breakfast and I made coffees, then washed up ready to start the packing. Megan, Zarah, Keira and Kye all entertained themselves, while we packed up the camper trailer.
Still took us roughly 3 hours to pack up. We had dirty clothes in every nook and cranny, and didn’t really do a good job packing everything and were fairly unorganised, despite thinking we were!!!
Finally, after starting at 6.30am we were on our way for the long drive ahead. Had to wait for about 20 mins for the barge, finally getting on and heading towards the mainland. Went back to the service station, my car was still there, filled the truck with enough petrol to get to Gympie, also re-inflated the tyres. Stopped at Gympie and filled both cars up, got coffee’s and ice-creams, then hit the road for Coffs, was about 11.20am.
We had lunch in the cars on the go, making our way to Ballina, where we had Macca’s for dinner about 7.30pm. Headed off again, eating in the car and finally arrived in Coffs, after a long slow drive, due to road works. Was dark and cold when we arrived at the Park Beach Holiday Park where we took a while to get the trailer into the right spot, then after that it was a fairly fast set up. Everyone was tired and cold after our long day in the car.
We set up the trailer in record time I think and had the beds set up, ready for the four cold, tired kids to hop in to. We weren’t in bed much long after. Set up the roof of the annex, and one side, then headed into bed ourselves. Was around 10.30pm, a long day, finally came to an end, when we were all in bed, warm and cosy!!
Thursday 10th July.
As we had all had a fairly long and late night the day before, we all seemed to have a sleep in……was well deserved though!
Was up and having a slow breakfast with coffee. Went and had a beautiful hot shower, was so nice to be clean and have clean fresh hair….Organised the washing, which was all over the place and finished the last of the unpacking and re-organising to save a little time the following day.
We had organised O’Brian Glass to come and replace the windscreen on the truck, which had had a small crack in it. After all the sand driving we did, it didn’t take long over the trip to get larger and larger, by the end it was from one side to the other and needed replacing. He was excellent, coming to the campground and fixing a new one there.
Started filling up the washing machines in the laundry which took forever and cost a small fortune, but at least it will be done before we get home. The kids were all fairly well entertained with the jumping pillow and park, they were, however, all desperate to have a swim, so after the washing was all done, I took them to the pool. Was a fairly cool day and as the pool wasn’t heated, they didn’t last too long. Went and showered two, then went and sat in the sun with a cider to fold and sort out all of the washing. Must admit, although it took forever, it was nice to have all clean clothes as well!
After sorting that, we moved more towards the sun, reading a few magazines and having afternoon drinks. We had dinner sorted of steak, sausages and salad. The kids all played a game while we organised the packing of the trailer for hopefully and early get away the next morning. Was in bed before 9.30pm as we all still fairly tired from the long day we had had the day before.
Friday 11th July.
Up fairly early as we had to pack up the trailer for the drive back to Sydney, and although we didn’t rush, we seemed to be a little bit more organised than when leaving Fraser. There was a free breakfast at the camp kitchen that morning so the kids went over there to get bacon and eggs, leaving us to pack up….an added bonus as we didn’t have to wash up! It still took us a fair amount of time to pack up and were totally ready by 10am, we left Coffs after grabbing a coffee and filling the car with petrol and putting air in one of Jason’s tyres, by just after 11am.
We were going through so many various speed zones due to road works, it was making for a very slow trip. Was held up by a huge truck accident along the Pacific Highway, delaying us even longer, we stopped for lunch and a cake for Keira, Happy Birthday for the 12th, then headed for the final part of the trip home.
