Sun, 12th Nov, 2023 Central Station Campground, Fraser Island National Park, Qld

Lazy morning for me as Steve fixed a broken exhaust bracket. I got lunch prepared then read my book.

We drove back to Eurong to wait for Dave & Wendy to come up from the south. They have left their camper at a van park and are coming up in their Suzuki and will stay at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.

We bought coffees from the bakery as they make nice ones there. Walked down passed the ‘dingo’ sticks to the beach.

Just got to beach in time to see a black Suzuki zoom by. I saw Wendy and waved and she waved back then the turned around. Missed the turn off. How’s that for perfect timing.

Chatted for a bit. I heard Wendy’s phone ringing and it was Sarah making a video call from Japan where she was on holidays with Ben. When the picture came through she was holding out her left hand - I said to Wendy, ‘Ben proposed’. What a surprise and it was so lovely to join in the excitement. We found Steve and David who had wandered off and they had a lovely chat with Sarah and Ben. He proposed in a little street with Mt Fuji in the background. It was very exciting and so lucky that she rang now as we were about to head off and Wendy wouldn’t have had phone reception till later.

Headed out. Going to sightsee as we head across to Kingfisher Bay. We lead the way.

Stopped at Central Station for a wander. I found some more amazing stag horns.

Stopped for a quick look at the tall Satinays at Pile Valley then on to Lake McKenzie. The car park was full but I saw the Ranger and asked if he could suggest a spot to park as there were two big areas beside us free but they said commercial vehicles only. He said tour groups pay extra to reserve those spots but showed us a spot around into the bus area that we could park. Very friendly chap. He stopped and chatted for a while telling about all the recent events with the dingoes and that they sadly had to put a few down after they bit people. Trying to educate people to not feed them or to go running along the beach is hard work! He said that dingoes don’t mix with other mobs - like the west ones don’t come to the east etc. The Alpha male and female sort everything and if there are two many pups born then they deal with that too so they control how many there are. Other males are subservient to them and appear to be skinnier and have their tail between their legs when coming up to get food - real hierarchy. He said there is a family with pups near the Ranger Station at Eurong and the pups are so cute.

Had lunch in the ‘enclosure’ safe from dingoes then down for a swim. Sunny but breezy so it was cool so we didn’t stay in too long.

Down the track to head to Kingfisher Bay. Had to pull over a few times then had our first back-up in a narrow section. We had a pull off nearby so we got off. There was a group of them so it was better we pulled over.

Up the hill then down the bitumen. Dave & Wendy stopped by Reception to organise their room. We drove down to our park near the jetty and made a cuppa. Wandered down to the beach to drink it and watch the world go by. Wendy rang to say the chap in reception was not very helpful and they were having problems with the directions to their their room.

Watched a tow truck arrive with a smash front of a hire vehicle. Steve chatted with the driver who said it was tourists who lost it on a wide section of truck on the north-west. Not a great experience for them I imagine.

Eventually Dave & Wendy got their room sorted and they drove down to join us. The resort is spread out so Dave reckons they will need a cut lunch to get to breakfast in the morning!

The sky looks nice so we decided to stay to watch the sun set with them. We chatted the afternoon away and then Wendy and I walked along the jetty - bit chilly out here. Down onto the sand to take photos as the sun set as the tide came in.

We arranged to meet tomorrow at the intersection back along the track as we are heading north-west and then we headed back home. As we crossed the grid we noticed paw prints in the sand as we headed down the hill. A dingo was trying to find a way in.

No traffic as we worked our way along the tracks through the dark trees which was good. Back to camp for a late dinner of leftovers in wraps - Steve’s favourite.

All quiet, the big groups have left. Lots of small camps instead.