There was time to stop quickly for the fun of finding pipies which everyone joined in and we’re sure a few of the kids were digging their way to China, we all had an awesome time with having fresh bait for an afternoon fish.
With the tide hot on our heels we headed direct to Champagne Pools finding Indian Head bypass road extremely easy, Yogi explained along the way where we needed to be careful when heading back with the many trees being exposed from erosion.
Everyone took a while to acclimatise to the fresh temperature of Champagne Pools whilst there were no flies on Yogi with beer in hand headed straight in.
We arrived back at camp for a quick lunch and those who wanted to fish got their rigs sorted to attempt to catch dart, whiting and tailor. Whilst the Kid’s Fraser Fiasco Fish-off 2012 was well underway others decided to have a dip in the ocean or ride down the dunes in front of Camp MySwag.
The following day (day 3) he Saturday saw another enjoyable sleep in, in readiness for the next wave of MySwaggers to arrive. After the fun of the day before locating pipies, it was on again as a few headed off in their chariots in the search of pipies but returning empty handed having no luck locating any.
Then it was on the time for the arrival of the ‘Fishing Stig’ in a white sun shirt and white hat demonstrated how to catch your own bait – worms, after many attempts a few had success but the common theme was to be patient though the worms do have teeth and they do bite.
It was a nice relaxing day which some setting up camp, water runs up to Dundubara, fishing and swimming for many. Then it was time to gear up for Cocktail Night, Yogi and Bugone started decorating as they do best with Yogi’s well know LED lights and music to get you in the spirit. Slowly everyone started to make their way over to the Fraser Fiasco Cocktail Night - frocked up in your Island attire for afternoon nibbles on the beach followed by a cocktail or two. Yogi and Amanda’s generator was started for the ice crushing blender and thanks to Rusty for bringing an esky for the all important ice, many mock cocktails were made for the kids and yummy cocktails for the adults including Fruit Tingles, Pina Colada, Tequila Sun Rise and Jamaica Breeze fun was had by all.
Day 4 - Eli Creek.
Around 10.30am we all made our way to Eli Creek to get a great spot, the majority of the people there that day would have been MySwag. A few of the adults and kids joined in a game of touch footy whilst others had a play in Eli Creek. Following touch footy it was time for a rest and lunch and we were soon joined by the other group who had ventured to Champagne Pools for the morning. Next a game of cricket was on for many of the MySwaggers and little MySwaggers. BBQ’s were fired up for an enjoyable lunch beside Eli Creek after which we decided to go for a walk along the boardwalk and a walk down Eli Creek. The water temperature was quite fresh but everyone soon got use to the nice fresh clear water of Eli Creek. Both Melissa and I walked the creek to see an eel hiding amongst the roots of a tree. Following the Eli Creek BBQ it was time for the traditional group photo witch was to be taken at the Maheno wreck, everyone enjoyed having a look around and taking some more memorable photos. Another enjoyable day was had by all and then we were all off for showers and dinner.
What another beautiful day on Fraser Island we definitely couldn’t complain about fine weather and the stunning blue sky and not a cloud in sight. Everyone was up early so we could head off to Sandy Cape. Today’s tide times were perfect for the drive up the beach.
It was a nice easy drive up to Indian Head which we all crossed the by-pass road with ease, letting each other know when we were through then headed up to Champagne Pools but didn’t stop this time just headed straight to Orchid Beach.
The fourby's lines up on the beach at Sandy Cape.
Yogi’s 80 series got a little bit of air under the tyres with a few surprises along the track, but overall was easy going and Amanda keeping an eye out for oncoming vehicles. A quick stop was made at the Orchid Beach store where a toilet was located and some souvenirs were picked up, just another stubby cooler for the collection. From Orchid Beach we headed for Sandy Cape as we knew we had some tricky spots at Nagala and Brown Rocks we didn’t want to get caught out by the tide, the tide was still on the way out so that was in our favour. We soon arrived at Nagala Rocks and all the vehicles stopped to have a look and each driver made their own decision if they wanted to proceed or not.
Yogi and Paul (Paul4Nat) went for a quick drive to see what the track was like and get a photo of the entry to the track on the way back as the hardest bit was always going to be heading back racing the tide. Even though a lot of the time the rocks could be avoided at Browns Rocks due to the outgoing tide, Yogi did suggest trying to drive over the rocks as there was every chance we would all need to drive over the rocks on the way back as the tide would be on the way back in and also you can get caught out with the odd sink hole with decomposing weed being buried by sand during the incoming and outgoing tides.
We all still continued onto Sandy Cape and as we came around the bend it was announced by Amanda ‘Welcome to Sandy Cape’ again with a bit of commentary as to where campgrounds are located and then made it to the entrance to the lighthouse.
We then found a great spot to parked up, with a huge sand dune to play on – the view speaks for itself. Lunch was soon on with V8ute firing up the webber who kindly cooked Yogi and Amanda’s lunch also.
Many also made the trek up the dunes to ride down the dunes or do the awesome jump off the dunes where a few ended up in a roll with Troy (part of the Jetcrew crew) collecting Frosty on the way down. Terry needed a swim to clean off all the sand collected on the way down, it was a great bit of entertainment for those at the bottom of the dune. We all then headed off down the beach for a quick group shot of the vehicles who were still at Sandy Cape, once again the photos speak for themselves on the beautiful blue water, clear skies and the sand that just goes on and on.
Day 6 :
We stay at camp this day relaxing with anticipation of the Seahorse Auction to take place at camp. Before the auction commenced thanks to GLC the gentlemen were given tattoo sleeves and the ladies white cocktail gloves and this was the start of “The Fraser Cup” Tatts, Tiaras and Tutus which Theo (Jetcrew) took place as master of ceremonies and found his calling as an auctioneer, everyone agreed with his new calling and did an awesome job. The Seahorses aka all the children were placed in the auction yard of Yogi’s annex and one by one was called up and auctioned to the highest bidder. A few of the kids were concerned leading up to the auction that they were being sold.
The excitement was in the air as everyone went off for some lunch and then to return to camp Yogi for the decorating of each Seahorse. Yogi and Amanda had a range of streamers, balloons, hair colour spray and face paint, which the adults had fun decorating the kids. Natalie and Melissa weren’t too happy that their parents were the successful bidders they would have liked someone else to be their owners. Yogi calculated a system for the number of heats then the final. Heat 1 was made of horses 1 to 5, heat 2 was made of horse 6 to 10 then heat 3 made of horses 11 to 14. The race was nice a fair as we used dice, 1 was used for the horse number and the other for how many moves, in total the horse needed to move 20 spaces. Once again Jetcrew called the race and did a great job and got everyone in the mood of the race, each race had a volunteer for each dice and a few kids needed a little assistance with counting. The 2 winners of each heat would go through to the final.
After the race the winner being Jasmine won a Seahorse stuff toy and chupa chups also the horse owner won a First Aid Kit donated by GLC. For the children’s participation each awarded with a bag of goodies, all the contents were donated by GLC and were enjoyed by each child. Overall $238.00 was raised for RFDS. All MySwaggers then came together around camp Yogi for happy hour and great conversation also the kids did their entries for the lolly jars.
Day 7 : Central Station - Mackenzie Lake
Today, we had a leisurely morning and then headed off to Lake Mackenzie which many who had been here before commenting on the revamped car park now having quite a bit of space and the water level of the lake which was right up to the area where you could generally have somewhere to sit. Yogi being his usual self was the first in, the water temperature was quite fresh and then a few of the kids had a quick paddle. We decided not the venture to the other lakes as they were the same and you wouldn’t have been able to see too much, so we then made our way to Central Station for lunch. Many were amazed at the rainforest and the difference in plant life as we drive through the inland tracks. We soon made it to Central Station and many took up the opportunity to have lunch at the picnic tables and then ventured off for the walk along the crystal clear creek.
Day 8 : Wathumba Creek
Today, we headed across the island to Wathumba Creek for a look see with Theo and Lara, Dec & Daz. Deb and I hadnt been to Wathumba since 2008, with Steve and Viv. We noticed alot of things had changed. The amenities was very run down with no toilets working at all. The camp site was somewhat over grown, but there was still the pure white sand of the creek.
The wind was coming from the west and made things a little uncomfortable, so we decided to head back across to Waddy Point and meet up with other swaggers.
Day 9 - Heading home.
After packing at the camper trailer and saying good bye to Ramsey Street, as it became known, we did the customary hugs and kiss, as some people were staying a few more days. We then headed off down the beach towards the barge and made our way home, thinking of the next place to visit.
