Campers who want a campfire in the communal fire rings provided, must bring their own firewood. However it must be untreated, milled timber (e.g. mill off-cuts), not bush timber, as this reduces the risk of introducing foreign pathogens and other pests into the park. Visitors are reminded that all flora in protected areas, including dead trees or fallen limbs, is protected by law and therefore cannot be cut or collected.
Just on that, if you want to get some firewood on the way up I can recommend Davidsons Sawmill at North Arm - between Yandina and Eumundi and not far off the Bruce Hwy. Good quality milled hardwood that burns nice and clean, $15 a bag. No affiliation just a satisfied customer
Maybe ring beforehand and arranged to have some wood put aside in your name to make it easier, and to make sure they are there when you come through - it's a small operation.
270 Bunya Rd, North Arm QLD 4561, Australia
Phone number(07) 5472 8636
You can leave the Bruce at Yandina and rejoin it at the Eumundi onramp.
As far as what to take - if you want to rinse your vehicle in Dundubara campground once or twice during your visit, they have taps (Fraser has huge freshwater reserves so don't feel bad about that), so take a garden hose and fittings.
I also have a decent stick I carry when going walking with my kids (ages 4, 5 and
, for a little peace of mind if we come across any of the local dishlickers. I got it on Fraser in fact and it made a nice walking stick so I brought it home and it goes back for a visit to its rellies from time to time.
As said earlier, a good supply of $1 coins for showers (and they are damn good showers at Dundubara).
If you plan to venture to the western side of the island, be well prepared for sandflies - Bushmans is ok but Aerogard seems to work better. Or make up a triggerbottle mix of 1/3 citronella, 1/3 metho and 1/3 Dettol.
Some hessian or shadecloth packs flat and can be useful for unbogging your vehicle.
Some money to take a flight with Fraser Air (they can land at The Maheno to pick up and drop off). The cost is surprisingly reasonable given the fact that you won't find a joyflight like it anywhere else.
A gold bar or two in case you need to buy fuel or groceries on the island.
If you plan to walk the sandblows etc. take plenty of drinking water, I have a 2.5 litre bottle on a strap that is perfect - more than enough water for the kids and Mr and Mrs Squalo on any decent walk, and easy to simply sling over your shoulder. We also have a sports drinkbottle for everyone in the family, but we always carry the big bottle as well even if it's just to refill the smaller bottles. And try and get young kids to carry their own drinking water... the big bottle is an older version of this:
http://www.californiainnovations.com/hydration/water-bottle/item/az-12-gallon-icecold-hydration-jug.html?category_id=84Lastly, a few tips
- before you set up camp, have a think about where the water will run if it rains - in my experience on Fraser more water stays on top of the sand than is absorbed into it during a decent storm (in the campgrounds at least), and that water has to go somewhere
- don't plan to swim or surf on the eastern side, that's the side the sharks like
- if you are male, be prepared for the odd slap from the missus when the backpacking girls are around
- when you see a Toyota troopie with 8 European girls and a local Aussie driver, consider that the grin on his face is roughly equivalent to half his weekly wage
- Lake Mckenzie is everything it is said to be, but get there early (before 9:30am) or late (after 3pm) otherwise there is nowhere to park, and you literally cannot stay once all the parking is taken up. Otherwise Lake Birrabeen is nearly as nice (in fact you'd hardly know the difference) and far quieter
- If your vehicle is up to it, go to Sandy Cape, go up on a runout tide so you have plenty of time to savour its beauty
- all of the main campgrounds have a garbage depot close to their access roads (on the beach, fenced to keep dingos out). You can take your bags of garbage to these
- Hook Point is dangerous - do not go anywhere near it within two hours either side of high tide, go inland instead. The road between Hook Pt and Eurong is awful - rough and corrugated and with nothing but weatherbeaten scrub to see - but it's better than losing a vehicle and trailer
- Print this out before you go:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/register/p01663aa.pdf- Buy your permits etc. online with enough time to print them out and take them to Kwikcopy who can laminate them (at least the camping permit that you have to tie to your tent/trailer)
