22 on Fraser Island

I think this was the best thing I've ever done, let alone the best birthday I could ask for!

Ryley and I had a glamping tent booked, and we found out that it actually had the capacity for 6 people. So we invited along Siân, one of my friends, and posted an ad on Facebook for the other 3 spots. 

We were joined by a group of 3 guys travelling together; an Aussie called Alex, and two Germans called Janek and Yannik (pronounced the same which we found very funny). It was the nicest group of people and I feel so blessed that they came along for the trip.

I had been excited for Fraser Island since March as I was due to do it but it got cancelled due to covid. And I was even more excited that it landed on my birthday!

Day 1

We got up early on my 22nd birthday and headed to the office to pick up the 4x4 vehicle. We signed a lot of forms and watched a safety video, and off we went on the hour and a half trip from Noosa to Rainbow Beach to access Fraser Island. We got on a barge which was a quick 5 mins across the water to paradise.

My first time driving on sand was exciting but actually a lot more difficult than I thought. It didn't help that I was thrown right into the deep end as the softest sand was the first part as you get into the island!

We got stuck in the first 20 minutes, but it was nothing some digging couldn't fix.

Breaking down

Ryley took over driving as she has experience driving in snow which handles similarly to sand. In the next 20 minutes, the car suddenly started making a crazy rattling noise. We stopped and all jumped out, to see bright green coolant pouring from underneath the car.

We popped the hood and started looking at what the issue was- the fan had somehow ripped right through the radiator!

A few of us ran up ahead to a fisherman to see if he could help us whilst Siân rang the lodge we were staying at to come rescue us (this was lucky as service is very hard to find on the island).

We spent probably 2 hours waiting for help, but we weren't even mad- as far as I was concerned, it was my birthday and I was on the beach! And we were all in very good spirits, enjoying the Aussie adventure. 

Snacks and a Photoshoot on the roof of the van were a great way to pass the time!

After I don't know how long, we were finally rescued by the amazing guys at the Beach camp eco resort. They kindly dropped us off at a lake near the resort so we could do something while they looked at the car.

Lake Wabby

After walking for half an hour through the serene forest, we came out at a sand blow, which looked like a huge patch of desert in the middle of a rainforest. To me, it looked like something out of star wars.

Just past the sand blow down the hill was the lake. It was murky but smooth clean waters with catfish swimming around. I enjoyed the quiet and secluded environment.

After a little while at the lake, we went back throughout the forest and got picked up by Mark from the eco resort and went to our accommodation.

The best way we found to describe them was 'hostel tents'- it was an open building with about 10 tents that had bunk beds in. It also had a fully stocked kitchen over cover.

Birthday drinks

That night, we were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves, and we made noodles for dinner.

My mates tried and failed to stall me in the kitchen while they blew up 50 balloons on my bed! They also did me a Tim tam 'cake' ('22' candles on some Tim tams) which I promptly dropped all over the floor...

We had some birthday drinks and played lots of drinking games. Made hot dogs and marshmallows on the fire, and saw the stars, which are so fantastic due to the lack of light pollution on the island (of course I had a little cry at the stars). It was an incredible way to ring in my 22nd year.

Day 2

After a freezing night in the glamping tent, we got up to head to Maheno shipwreck.

Driving along the beach with nothing but sand ahead of us and sea next to us was absolutely breathtaking.

Maheno shipwreck had been used as a hospital ship in the First World War and had been wrecked there for the past 70 years. We of course did a big Photoshoot at the wreck.

Near.... far.....

Our next stop was Eli Creek, where we floated down the crystal clear (but freezing) waters. 

Day 3

On our last day on K'Gari, we woke up super early to catch the sunrise. It was absolutely stunning to watch the sun light the sky on fire first thing in the morning.

But we didn't just get up at 5.30am for the sun. We had planned to be on the beach for 7am to catch a plane ride over the island. We all piled into a small plane and flew across the island, catching views of the sea, sand blows, forest, and the entire of the island.

After an exhilarating start to the day, we chilled back at the hostel for a little while, before heading to Lake Mackenzie.

The ride to Lake Mackenzie was so bumpy and fun; Ryley drove the 30 minute journey in the 4x4 over tree roots and god knows what to get us there. We were blasting our music and laughing the entire time- and I definitely came flying off my seat more than a few times!

Lake Mackenzie itself was so stunning; the water was so clear and blue. 

We unfortunately didn't have much time at the lake as we had to get back on the road (if you can call a beach a 'road') because the tide was coming in.

[Side note: it's pretty amazing to be somewhere where you have to consider the tide times in your journey plan!]

Overall K'Gari Fraser Island was the most incredible trip. I feel so blessed that I got to spend my birthday in an amazing place with fantastic people- I'll always remember it guys, thank you!!

Shepp x