The Bundaberg Four Wheel Drive Club’s members recently attended their annual K’gari December trip.
Fraser Island, or now known as K’gari, which means Paradise in the Butchulla Aboriginal people’s language, is the largest sand island in the world.
Our group headed to the Waddy Point campground to base ourselves for two weeks of exploring, fishing and relaxing.
Due to very little rain and calm seas the beach run was not its usual easy drive.
Two members out of the group needed rescuing from the soft sand, towing vans is hard work in those conditions.
We mentioned how it would be good to get some rain, to harden up the sand.
Be careful with what you wish for.
For the most part we had perfect weather, until the last couple of days.
Heavy rain persisted until the day we packed up to come home, making for easier towing conditions.
We got out just in time, as it goes from being too dry to too wet, with the tracks turning to slush just after we left.
Our time on the island was spent checking out the tourist sights, with Wathumba Creek, Ocean Lake, Champagne Pools and Indian Head being the standouts.
The trip to the lighthouse needs to be timed with the tides as recent erosion from the weather means you must make your way, not only over the infamous Nkgala Rocks, but around the vegetation that has been washed onto the beach at the Sandy Cape.
The obligatory stop at the Maheno Shipwreck for a group shot, a stop at the bakery at Eurong and then onwards to the barge at Kingfisher Bay was event free.
There were many other happenings over the trip that will be talked about for years to come.
People ask why we keep going back to the same place each year?
It is because every visit has a new crowd to show what the island has to offer, the changes from year to year show how nature bounces back from wild weather.
Catching beach worms seems to be the most frustrating pastime of all, as they are right in front of you but so hard to grab.
Many of the new trippers to the island spend hours upon hours trying to catch the illusive creatures and it entertains us watching them try.
This year our worm catchers became international, with a visitor from the Netherlands getting the hang of it and catching three, just to show it wasn’t a fluke.
As a club our next visit to the island will be in May when we participate in the 4WDQLD clean-up, a time to give back to the iconic attraction.
To find out more on the Bundaberg Four Wheel Drive Club and activities we have on, contact us via email on info@bundaberg4wdclub.com on the net at www.bundaberg4wdclub.com or catch us on Facebook or Instagram.
Brad Praed
Bundaberg 4WD Club Inc.
