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Lying just off the east coast of Australia, Fraser Island is the world’s largest island made entirely from sand. The island has been recently re-named back to it’s aboriginal name of “K’gari”, and it comes as no surprise this translates to “paradise”. The island is close enough to the mainland to reach with just a short barge ride, and has become an absolute paradise to explore by four wheel drive. Always on the lookout to include my family, we team up with my Uncle Ron to explore far and wide around the island over ten days.
From the minute we arrive I know we’re onto a good thing - the water is crystal clear, the sand is strikingly white and the warm sun beams down without a cloud in the sky. I lower tire pressures all around - again walking the line between traction in the soft sand and fuel consumption. I can still go a lot lower if the need arises. Crossing the island I’m impressed to see enormous eucalyptus trees forming what is essentially is dense jungle in the interior. On the far Eastern side we race the incoming tide, pushing out luck a little as we scoot into our first of many beachside camps.
Over the coming days we move north on the coast, hopping from one stunning wild camp behind the dunes to the next, fishing during the days and enjoying plenty of catch up time and delicious meals in the evenings. Highlights include a side trip to Awinya Creek on the West side. Here the dead calm sheltered ocean meets the bright white sand creating the most beautiful aqua blue beaches. Sunset over the water is a thing to behold, and we’re even visited by a pair of dingos looking for food scraps. There are an estimated 300 dingos living on the island, providing stunning opportunities for seeing these wild dogs up close - but not too close.
Moving north we find plenty of 4x4’s and carnage at the famous 4x4 obstacle Ngala Rocks. We have absolutely no problem moving through the very deep and soft sand, powering forward with the large tire contact patch provided by the low pressures.
North of the rocks the island becomes much more wild, and my jaw actually falls open as we round Sandy Cape at the northern tip where enormous sand dunes meet the ocean to provide an otherworldly scene. The views are staggering and we camp two nights at the northern tip, exploring the lighthouse, fishing and soaking in the sun and sand while trying to keep a pack of curious and bold dingoes out of camp.
There’s no doubt my Uncle Ron had a huge influence on me growing up, and it’s thanks to him I love remote exploration, camping and the wilderness so much. Spending so much time with him is a lot of fun, and I’m immensely happy we spent this incredible time together exploring island paradise.
-Dan Grec
CategoriesConsumer NewsTeam Yokohama
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