Fraser Island Trip 2005 We had been planning for the 2005 Manx club trip to Fraser Island for around 9 months and were all excited about spending over a week on the biggest sand Island in the world. The lead-up months had been hectic for our crew because we had to get our Orange buggy (Nemo) built and registered in time for the trip. So when the morning of departure finally came around we all were very keen to get to the Island. We were disappointed that there weren’t lots of other club members making the trip to Fraser this year. We had been planning the trip for so long and a huge part of the attraction was to make this trip with lots of other Buggies and Bajas. We had heard of only three other cars coming and two of those only joining for the last weekend. Nevertheless we were going to make the best of the trip in our new buggy. Packing a buggy for any lengthy trip away takes careful planning. We use a THULE 120x90cm luggage basket and a Waterproof Rack Sack by BUSHRANGER to cover the gear and tie it all down neatly. After working in the camping industry I am ‘in the know’ when it comes to what gear is out there, so everything we use is lightweight. Our tent for instance only weighs 3.5kg and it stood up to 75knot winds. The aim is not to over-pack, we took along plenty of gear including annexe poles (aluminium), fishing and snorkelling gear, table, chairs etc. So once packed we were set for an early morning departure. Joining Tracey and myself at 3.30am on Friday morning at the Coomera BP was Kurt, his wife Naomi and daughter Haylee in their Green Manx as well as Gunter in the Landcruiser. Once we were all tuned in on the same UHF station we started our trek north to Fraser Island. Nothing better than the hummm of the VW engine to keep you awake. ( note to self: Cup holders would be an excellent idea????) We did the obligatory stop in Rainbow Beach sorted out our permits, fuel and barge tickets. We were shocked to find out that fires were no longer permitted on the island unless in the controlled camping areas. This meant a quick stop at the local camping store to get a gas cooking set-up sorted. We had camped on the island a year before and cooked over hot coals. We weren’t aware of the new rule which was introduced because of the high rate of injuries with camp fires. So be sure when you head to Fraser you go prepared with gas cooking equipment. The cost of our set-up was expensive however the fine would have been harder to live with. There is something about that first moment when you get your buggy down onto the sand, it’s a bit of a buzz, especially if the buggy is just 2 weeks old!  Before long we were on the barge and the reality of what Trace and I had achieved over the past 9 months hit us. We set ourselves the goal to have our buggy ready for this trip and here we were on our way. We all enjoyed the leisurely 75km drive up the beach to our favourite camping spot between Eli Creek and the Maheno wreck. We like to camp here because there is great access to all the Island has to offer. Not long after arriving we were greeted by the Acting Head Ranger of Fraser North Scott and his wife Michelle. Scott was a member of the Manx club and had been looking forward to the arrival of Buggies to his backyard. Scott is in the middle of building his own buggy and was keen to catch-up and ask a few questions. Our first day was a long one and we were all pretty keen for an early night. Troy was joining us tomorrow in his V6 Buggy and we speculated whether or not there would be any others. We all hoped that other members were joining us as well, nothing against Troy but the more Buggies and Bajas the merrier. The next day around lunchtime we watched as Troy dragged a trailer over the dunes. Now this guy had some gear packed, lucky he had a V6!!!! All this gear for 1 guy?? Apparently the ‘weekend warriors’ of Terry, Ronnie and Andrew that were joining us on the following weekend had sent their gear up in advance with Troy. After all our introductions we settled down to a few afternoon ales and a planning session for our next week on the island. So we had 3 buggies and a sand Island that needed exploring. We crossed the island from one side to another and back again always seeking out the most difficult path. We played sensibly on creek wash outs, we took on tracks the folks said we wouldn’t get through. One of our favourite things was to go around 4WD’s bogged up to the axles without a care. We did a trek across to Moon Point and saw a litter of dingo pups and a few wild cats. We trekked north to Waddy Point where we enjoyed a great day of fishing, snorkelling and relaxing. We enjoyed some great driving but also enjoyed some great locations, this was the good thing about being on the Island for 10 days, we could relax. Everywhere we went people asked us a bunch of questions, are they 4WD?? How do these things go?? Where did you hire them?? On one fishing trek we ran into a guy in a silver Manx from Bunderberg who had been coming to the Island in buggies for 30 years and in all that time had never seen another buggy. Imagine when he came up the beach and saw three. When Friday came around we started to wonder whether the weekend crew were going to make the last ferry across as planned. It apparently was a mad rush from Brissie north to Noosa across the ferry and up the Cooloola Coast to the Manta Ray ferry at Inskip (even the girls issuing the permits in Noosa didn’t think they would make it)  But there was no mistaking the sound of the Buggy and Baja as they headed up the beach. We flash lights to let them know where we were and we safely guided our club mates over the dunes. They had great stories to tell about their journey and about getting bogged in the smelly weed left on the tideline. I can tell you my understanding is that yes Andrew’s swing axle Manx did pull Terry’s SubiBaja out of the bog (and this wasn’t the last time the subi found itself on the end of a snatch strap). After a good catch-up it was decided that due to the tides we would have to head off quite early the next day. We planned to go north to some ‘secret’ track that Andrew was keen to find. The track was between Orchid Beach and the other side of the island, on our way up through Indian Head we had the opportunity to ‘show off’ the advantages of a buggy or baja over a 4WD.  A backpacker 4WD was well and truly stuck in the soft track over Indian Head which has a bit of a reputation for bogging. Picture this: One vehicle bogged and spinning it’s wheels and going deeper and deeper, the car behind lost momentum and also came undone, A line-up of 4WD’s await their turn on the track on the beach, they dare not venture up the soft sand. Along come four buggies and a baja, Gunter jumped out with the video camera to grab the footage for evidence. Gunter waved us through and Nemo was first up, no problem, low revs and easy driving saw the buggy through without incident, Kurt and Troy followed through also without a problem much to the amazement of the crowds of folks gathered around the bogged ‘forbees’. Andrew then thought he needed to rub a little salt or sand in their wounds so he took off up the track, chucked a donut right in front of them, went back to collect Gunter at the bottom and continued without incident. You just gotta love it!!!!!!!!!! We explored a few inland tracks and took on a couple of challenging hills with some nice deep ruts. We then ventured over to the other side and back to Waddy Point for a well earned lunch. It was on our way back to Cathedral from Waddy where Terry managed to run his SubiBaja over the edge a little. The guys used manpower to bounce the front end back over a sand bank and then Troy snatched out the Baja, before long we were on our way back to camp. The ‘weekend warriors’ were up for some afternoon driving, so we sent them on the track to Moon Point where they had a good afternoon. The trip was a quick one for Terry, Ronnie and Andrew who were up early the next morning to pack-up for the trip home. We also said goodbye to Troy who had been with us for the week. Troy had been great company and the trip had been a good opportunity to get to know him. He was so keen to return to the Island he was chasing work at Eurong and I believe he has scored himself a job there and will become an Island resident in November, good luck mate enjoy! The remainder of us weren’t heading home until Tuesday so we headed North on Monday to Sandy Cape. The drive north was stunning, it was a crystal clear morning and once again we were treated to a show by the migrating whales. We ventured right up to the lighthouse and did the hike up the big hill. It was well worth it, we were treted to one of the best views the Island has to offer. The Northern end of Fraser is more isolated, there are less people and no backpacker vehicles. We were told that the fishing was supposed to be excellent, but unfortunately for us the fish didn’t go along with that story. After an absolutely fantastic day we headed back to camp to pack-up for our return trip. Our time on Fraser Island was fantastic a great way to spend our holidays. It is a very special part of the world and it was a great time of year to visit the Island. We had got to know some new Buggy and Baja people and we achieved a goal of having a two week old buggy make the trip. The club numbers were disappointing and I understand it is a big trip and not everyone could get the time off, but I encourage folks to get involved in events like this in the future. It doesn’t have to be all about driving and cars, we met some great people and shared some great stories. This trip was suitable for everyone including families and the girls. This is your club get involved you never know what exciting adventure you may be missing out on. Fraser Island Must Do’s A tour of the inland tracks A day trip to the lakes: The water in some of these lakes is crystal clear A beer at the beach Hotel Eurong A trek north to the Sandy Cape and a visit to the Lighthouse (travel on low tide) Fishing at Waddy Point Climb Indian Head (Take your binoculars!!!) Check out the resort at Kingfisher Bay Whale watching at daybreak 5 metres from your tent A swim/splash in Eli Creek or better still take a sunlounger and plonk yourself in the middle of the creek with a good book.