This was a big day for us. We had to be out the door by 5:30am to get picked up by a 4×4 vehicle to take us to K-gari (formerly called Fraser Island). This is a sand bar island off the east coast of Australia. It is the largest sand bar island in the world (I think). Well, 3 of us got out the door on time, and made it to the vehicle, but my lovely wife was running a bit late. As a result, a second vehicle waited for her and the rest of us went to pick up the other people in the area. “B” was transferred to our vehicle before the we left our town, and we then had an hour and a half drive to Rainbow beach where we got on a ferry to take us to the island. Once on the island we were driven along the sand beach to a shipwreck that is on the island. It was ok to see. The big thing was on the way there we say whales. Yes, we did. They were jumping out of the water, flapping their fins, and doing whale things. It was pretty cool to see. After the shipwreck we went over to a creek and walked down it. It was described as a float, but they didn’t provide anything to float on, so you wanted along the creek. It was nice, but VERY cold. We also had some muffins there and tea if you wanted it. I of course had no tea since I can’t stand warm beverages.
Then it was off to Lake McKenzie. On the way we got to see a dingo eating a dead whale just off the beach. That made for 2 wild animals on this trip that we weren’t expecting to see. Once at Lake McKenzie we were aloud an hour to swim in the waters. This lake only gets water from rain. As a result it was really nice and it was really cold. The sand is apparently some of the finest beach sand in the world, and it was a pleasure to walk in. “B” did some exercise swimming while the girls and I just swam around some. Then “A” ventured out with mom and got to experience more of the lake that way. “G” was a bit scared, and I was fine just hanging out with her and swimming/walking near the shoreline. After lake time was over we didn’t want to leave because it was so much fun in the lake. It was a beautiful lake. Then it was up to lunch of sandwiches and sodas (or beer and wife if you wanted). Then back on the vehicle to head back to the ferry. Along the way we did a little walk in the woods. We had one more stop along the beach for another snack time. The driver kept giving the girl more and more biscuits (cookies) and we loaded up and ate them the rest of the time we were in Australia. Then we got back to the ferry and were taken back to the bus stop where we were licked up in the morning. We got to see a nice sunset as well. After that it was time for dinner and bed. It was a good day.
Another funny thing happened this day, I got the most steps I have ever gotten on my Garmin watch (we all did). This was due to the very bumpy nature of the 4×4 drive. I had over 30000 steps that day but I am sure I didn’t walk more than 7000. I will say it is one flaw I find with the watch is that I can’t go in a change it if I know it is wrong. Oh well, not sure if/when I will ever beat that step count for a single day.
We got to have another day in Noosa Heads the next day and we wanted to see the national park there. It is a free national park to get into which was very cool. We were told by the neighbors I mentioned before that there was a chance of seeing dolphins, whales, turtles and more in the NP. So, we were excited to go. We walked to the NP. First up to the beach and then into the park. We walked along the “beach” for a while. We weren’t actually on the beach, we were up above the beach, at times quite a bit above the shoreline. There were some places to go down to a beach here and there, but we were there for hiking and seeing animals so we didn’t head to any beaches. We walked and walked and walked, and we never saw a whale. We think we may have seen a dolphin or two at one point and we stood and watched for confirmation, but we never saw one come completely out of the water. But we are pretty sure they were dolphins. After a few miles of hiking I spotted a sea turtle at the base of a cliff we were walking along. We watch it for a little bit, but it moved away and out of sight. Then we walked more along the trail. We got to the end of the shoreline part of the walk and we had to decide what to do. “B” wanted to keep going forward and I think the rest of us were ready to turn back. I let everyone know that it was farther to keep going forward, but we would see different areas. “B” really wanted to keep going and so we did. We hiked down to a beach and walked along that to the end. There were naked people there. We were not expecting that. There were more men than women as well. I don’t think the girls noticed since they were all a bit in the distance. I just remember walking and then looking around and thinking, “Wait, that is a naked guy, and there is another one. Wait, is this a nudist beach? Where are the signs for that?” (There weren’t any signs). Then it was into the forest part of the park. It was up and down quite a bit, and I was focused on getting back to our place. Well, “B” and “G” were getting really hungry and the hangry came out. “B” wanted to know why I hadn’t picked a place to eat, and I told her I wasn’t hungry so I hadn’t thought about it. We stopped at a log at a crossroad point and ate. I was able to help 2 people find their way since I had looked at a map and could tell them where to go (at least I hope I helped them). We finally made it back to our place. It was over 8 miles of hiking. We were tired, BUT “B” wanted to get down to the beach before it got dark and so we all changed into swimsuits and walked the half mile to the beach. It was fun, sort of. It was cold. I am not a beach person. I like the feel of the sand, but I don’t like the smell and I am not a fan of the water. The girls had a blast. I did get into the water eventually and played some. We used to some sand toys to build a “castle”, and we saw a bunch of little fish swimming around our feet in the water. “G” and I both stepped on fish at one point. It was an odd feeling. We were there all the way through sunset. It was another nice sunset.
Then we got some ice cream and went back to our place for dinner. It was a good, but long day of hiking. We were all very tired that night from what I remember.