K’gari, the world’s largest sand island, was the destination for 350 vehicles from 20 four wheel drive Queensland clubs for annual clean up event recently.
The mission was organised by Four Wheel Drive Queensland in conjunction with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
The iconic island was cleaned from Hook Point to Nkgala Rocks, and an assortment of the inland tracks.
Due to the island’s location a large amount of rubbish is washed up onto the 125 kilometers of open beach from the South bound current down the Great Barrier Reef, carrying waste from Papa New Guinea, the Philippines and beyond.
Seventeen vehicles from the Bundaberg 4WD Club joined in once again to lend a hand.
Weather conditions had been favourable leading up to the trip, with showers packing the sand, making for easier driving.
A final wrap up saw approximately 6500 kilograms of assorted rubbish picked up by the 800 participants, taken to the collection skip bin sites to be sorted and a snapshot of items from various overseas locations identified.
The Tangaroa Blue Foundation joined the event once again, to do the statistical count.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian registered charity focused on the health of our marine environment, and coordinates the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, an on-ground network of volunteers, communities, organisations, and agencies around the country monitoring the impacts of marine debris along their stretch of coastline.
‘Mad Matt 4WD’ attended the event as compare for the volunteers social function.
Matt has a huge following on YouTube and was also at the event to promote the responsible four wheel drive community doing our bit for the environment.
The social function had been organised for those that had registered for the event on the final night at Cathedrals on Fraser.
The venue proved popular as clubs came from various camp zones to attend.
Lucky door prizes and raffles were drawn, and it was good to see most clubs represented won a prize.
This event is not possible without the support of its sponsors and their products put forward for raffle prizes.
The Diamond Sponsor this year was C.A.O.S., who supplied a range of prizes to compliment your 4WD, camping, outdoors and adventure needs.
After the event various clubs stayed on to soak up the beaty of the island.
The opportunity to explore the world heritage listed site was available with drives to the various tourist hot spots such as Lake McKenzie, Kingfisher Bay, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Shipwreck to name a few.
Club members tried their hand at fishing, and some even got to catch their first beach worms, a skill in itself.
Planning is already underway for next year’s event, and we look forward to giving back to one of the most spectacular places we can go, so close to home.
To find out more on the Bundaberg Four Wheel Drive Club and activities we have on, contact us via email, info@bunadberg4wdclub.com on the net or catch us on Facebook or Instagram.
Brad Praed
Bundaberg 4WD Club Inc.