Thurs, 9th Nov, 2023 Central Station Campground, Fraser Island, Qld

Very cool and dark here under the canopy of trees. Woke up early with the birds but stayed in bed as it is a bit chilly. Min of 15.2 degrees and it was only 16.7 by 7.30am. No phone reception here even with the aerial and phone plugged in. Packed our snacks and lunch and headed to Eurong on the east side.

Down the narrow track cut into the hill’s edge.

Along the hill’s edge then looking down on Wanggoolba Creek. We think these would be old forestry tracks. Across an intersection with a sign - Hoop Pine planted 1923 to 47 (I think). Next sign Satinay-Brush Box Forest. Lovely drive through such tall trees - it is amazing that they are all growing so well in sand. Amazing to think of the early forestry workers living here.

Out of the tall tree forest to more scrubby Banskia country. A few signs by trees giving their names - Pink Bloodwood, Smooth Bark Apple etc. Down the hillside via a narrow track - not sure if these are one way or 2 as we haven’t met any vehicles yet and there are no signs. Glad as there doesn’t seem anywhere to pass. So glad we don’t have the camper on the back. Photos of the changing tracks and plants.

We have the windows down so we can hear all the birds in the trees. Lots of bracken fern too. Reached an intersection - we were on a one way track. Back into phone reception here as we enter a two-way track for the last bit to Eurong. More open and sunny here. More wooden slats to help with the descent down the hill and back up again of course.

Across the electric wired grid into Eurong and onto bitumen around the resort. There is a full car wash here too which will be handy after we have been on the beach.

Stopped at the toilets and found some information.

There are a few private homes and holiday rentals too. We parked near the exit onto the beach and watched cars come and go. Steve wanted to check it out as David & Wendy will be coming in this way. We walked down through the pedestrian gate onto the beach. There is a bin with long pieces of conduit to ward off dingoes if need be. Amazing to see big trucks zooming along.

Selfie time.

A family came in towing a camper-trailer but they have busted their tow ball. A few others are helping and Steve went over to see if he could help - he had a spare tow ball he could give him if needed. They managed to get him sorted as they have to get across to the other side to catch the barge from Wanggoolba Creek at 2pm.

Had a cuppa from the bakery which was very nice. Headed back out the two-way track. Met a couple of cars on the narrow bit but there was a pull off area just in the right spot. Onto the one way track back. Climbing back up and around the hill then down again beside a gully with the hill on the other side. This area was burnt a while back as there are plenty of black trees but lots of green undergrowth. Back into the taller trees and denser undergrowth.

Forestry Sign - Satinay D.B.H.223cm - depth, breadth, height I think, but it doesn’t make sense with that measurement. Will have to check with Terry. I did and it is Diameter, Breast High so the tree was 223cm in diameter at breast height at one stage!

Next sign - Blackbutt Forest logged 1947. Then Tallowood.

Turned off onto two way towards Lake McKenzie. No room here to meet someone so hoping its a one way track too.

Passed Pile Valley. We will do the walk down to it from our camp. Nice slow drive - we are pottering along nicely between 15 and 25 kph. The road is firm but bouncy.

Old forestry sign.

Turned off to Lake McKenzie and climbed up the hill. Spotted the lake through the trees.

Spotted a kookaburra in the tree. Continued along the ridge. Quick view across the hills to the mainland and I think I saw the houses on the hill at River Head.

Down again and along a bit then further down into Lake McKenzie. Fairly big car park which was nearly packed. We found one long enough for us to fit. Got our togs on and walked down to the water following the track to a small boardwalk lookout.

Down to the beach. I was first in. The water was cool, so was the breeze but once we got in it was lovely. It wasn’t deep in the clear section but apparently is 9m deep further out. The dark is the decaying plant matter. No fish in here.

As we collected our lunch from the truck Steve heard a vehicle making loud dragging noises and it was the family with the camper trailer. They must have come in for a swim and have broken the tow ball again. Hopefully they will make it back to the barge in time.

No eating allowed by the water due to dingo problems so they have put a fence around the picnic tables below the car park. Great aerial photo of this lake and the other lakes and sand dunes behind it on the info board nearby.

We got our lunch and sat at the picnic table. A small pigeon was wandering around picking up the crumbs people left. A goanna climbed up the tree nearby. Saw then heard a Bluewing Kookaburra laugh - it does sound like a monkey, Joan.

Got a text from Fran saying the purchasers of their place have been held up with their finance so they won’t be moving into their place for another week yet. What a shame - hope it works out ok.

Walked back down to the water via another track and walked around the water’s edge. Spotted at white-bellied sea eagle that was mentioned on the info board.

Got to the end of the ‘beach’ area.

The water is so clear.

People have created a ‘path’ across to the point. We have dried off so decided to come back and get wet another day to see what’s around the point. A few Cormorants are resting in the tree. View back along the beach.

It was a one-way track up to here so now the one-way track down. Took the turn off to Kingfisher Bay. Looser sand track.

Narrow descent down Bennetts Road which was indicated by an old forestry sign on the side of the track.

Up and down some hills then passed a walk-in track to historic McKenzie’s jetty and saw mill. David said there was a Commando training camp near that too - he gave Steve a map so we can find it.

Passed another car. Open scrub, brown Banksia seeds. More light here so therefore more undergrowth.

Onto Cornwells Road which is looser sand. Met four vehicles and Steve got off for them each time - what a nice chap! Around a corner then the last climb up to enter the resort area. There a stacks of wood planks ready to be laid on the track. They are closing off this section after 5pm on the 14^th which will be a pain for Dave & Wendy when they come.

Up to the top of the ridge then across the dingo proof grid and onto bitumen for the steep descent down to Kingfisher Bay Resort. Lots of houses or maybe apartments for the resort too. Around the edge of ‘reception’ according to the sign.

Drove down to the jetty and found a park out of the way then went wandering. The barge had just arrived so the cars were driving off along the long jetty.

Looking over to River Heads homes on the hills.

Walked along the jetty where a huge school of bait fish were hiding in the shadows. Spotted a couple of sting rays too. View over the northern part of the beach then back to the resort area and around again to zoom in on the mouth of the Mary River.

Near the volleyball court we saw a sign saying Great Sandy Strait Lookout so followed the track. Shame they don’t give distances! It went on and on and we eventually just followed the dingo fence up till we got to the top of the hill. Then we found a sign!

Unfortunately the trees have grown up so there is no view from the lookout any case!!

Found this little window of a view.

Followed a vehicle track back to the tower then straight down the side of the hill via a fire trail. That’s enough exercise for today!

Back to the truck then up the hill and back onto the sandy tracks again. Met the bus so we got off of course.

We pulled off where there was a bigger area and made a cuppa while looking at our map of what else to see. I got a text from Andrea saying her Mum, Jose, passed away this morning. Our thoughts are with them and her Dad, at this sad time. She had been ill so it was a blessing.

Continued on - had to pull off for 10 vehicles and 2 buses - the place is getting busy!!

Turned onto the one-way track back to camp which is a new track for us. The Hema has lots of blue lines on it now showing where we have been. It is a sandy track but still with a good base so no worries.

Crossed a little bridge over Wanggoolba Creek which is full of reeds here.

Back to the track we came in on yesterday. How did they know where they were going back in the early days - we would get lost without the signs and our Hema!

Back home again in time for drinks then dinner and a movie before quiet time. Then we just read our books for a bit. We are waking up early so going to bed a bit earlier too these days.