FRASER ISLAND

We booked a day trip to go to Fraser Island. It is the largest sand island in the world. We got an early ferry over to the island. We were then taken in a four wheel drive bus around the island for the rest of the day. It was quite hairy at points. We got a chance to swim in Lake McKenzie which is so beautiful.

The water is so pure because it has come up through the sand and formed a lake. It is silicone sand so everyone was exfoliating their bodies and cleaning there jewelery, which was funny to see. The island is inhabited by Dingos and there are signs everywhere telling tourists not to feed them and that they sometimes attack. We were so scared and kept dingo watch for each other as we swam! We did not see any, but there were plenty of people talking about how they had had their bags and shoes taken by them and they had to chase them off!!

We went for a walk through the rainforest. Scientists marvel at the fact the trees grow in the sand as it is not supposed to be able to hold nutrients. It is also strange not to hear the sound of the river flowing through the trees and plantation. The guide said that is because it is flowing over the sandbed and there are no stones or rocks for it to trickle over.

We then went to 75 mile beach where the four wheel drive bus drives you along beside the waves and it is so wonderful.


As we were going along we spotted a couple of small planes taking off from the beach and landing.
I said I was amazed that anyone had the guts to do that!!!
Well half an hour later I was being strapped into a seat in the plane!!!! It all happened when we stopped to examine a shipwreck on the beach.
I walked past the pilot of one of the planes and said "I would love to go up in the plane and look over the island but I am just too afraid to do it" He said "That is a shame because there are very few places where you get the chance in the world to take off and land in a plane on the beach, and the views over the island are spectacular. Carolyn was eager to do it and she persuaded me to take a risk.



Well I have to say it was really worth the fear factor. I loved it but at the same time I was scared to death!
She sat up alongside the pilot and at one stage he asked her if she wanted her photo taking and he would let her hold the steering thing (Dont know what you call it in a plane) well you can imagine my reaction in the seat behind..I just shouted out NO! NO! NO! NO! like the fella in the vicar of Dibley! I had visions of the plane going into freefall if he took his hands off. They just laughed and told me it would be ok. We did get to see some spectacular views and the landing back on the beach was so smooth!! I was overjoyed when we got back safely and very proud of myself for doing it!! I have to say that Fraser Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth.