For anyone going to Fraser this week.

[Jeepers Creepers]

We were on Inskip last week-end and the sand didn't seem too bad.

With last nights 8mm of rain, i would expect it to be pretty good with no dramas, unlike a few weeks back.

I've heard reports, the island is chock a block, and camping spots are thin on ground. (no pun intended)

The seafood fest is on at Tin Can this sat too, so if anyone is waiting for the tide to nick off, come and stuff ya face.

[firefox]

Yeah rain has made a bit better still a little soft.
I drove in skip yesterday it was fine.

Come to double island I am camped on the beach heaps of room feels like barely anyone here. Was busy on the weekend. But quieter now.

[Mallory Black]

Hey Jeepers,
as far as chockablock, is that the spots along 75 mile? what about Marloo, Ocean Lake? got a group of about 5 families in total, that's where we are headed

[Matto]

Jeepers,

As our Man-On-The-Scene when it comes to Fraser, what do you think about late October as a potential time to visit? Out of school holidays, so should be reasonably quiet? Not too hot yet?

Any camping spot in particular you'd recommend? We're self-sufficient, so would rather stay away from the popular ones.

Cheers mate!
Matto

[BigJules]

Jeepers,
As our Man-On-The-Scene when it comes to Fraser, what do you think about late October as a potential time to visit? Out of school holidays, so should be reasonably quiet? Not too hot yet?
Any camping spot in particular you'd recommend? We're self-sufficient, so would rather stay away from the popular ones.
Cheers mate!
Matto

Matto; to me Fraser is a bit like a lamb cutlet, or another thing that comes to mind  ; even if it was the worst one you'd ever had it would still be pretty bloody good. I've been twice in September and it was great, so October would be even better being that bit warmer.

[Mallory Black]

Matto if your outfit can make it past Indian Head to Waddy Point, there's less crowds from that point beyond. you still have access to supplies drinking water and fuel at Orchid Beach and fresh drinking water also at Waddy pt ranger station

But it's such a big island, what you want to do will decide your location because of the time involved in moving around

If you want to see the lakes and rainforest etc then southern end is good. Most beachfront campsites are exposed if a southeast buster blows up so if you're worried about that there's some inland sites.

Up round Waddy Point and Marloo/Ocean lake camping you have more fishing and shelter options if there a blow, and there's easier access to Champagne pools, the headlands, ocean lake, Wathumba ck on the other side and of course Sandy cape

[Jeepers Creepers]

Yes, i was referring to 75 mile beach being real busy, but not too sure of the other spots.

Fraser in October...... BRING IT ON BIG FELLA.

We were camped about 1.8 klm north of the Maheno. It was handy to Eli for a dip, be it a bit chilly, but it always is.
We only had about 4 klm or less to Cathederal, so fresh water at $2.00 for 20 litres was good, milk, fuel, ice and basic stuff all at ya finger tips.

Oh, and we got told, if we buying stuff, fresh water is free. If not buying anything, then the $2.00 as above, just to help with upkeep etc, which i thought was very fair.

I'm trying to work out if we can pull off a 6 day Fraser trip again in November at the moment. Being a mowerman (lawnie), i have to run with the weather a bit, but still hoping to do it though.

I sure hope Yogi will do another Fraser thing in 2013, because the wife and i are in..... 

The new part of the road between Cooroy and Gympie was opened last night. We used it today to go out to the Lockyer Valley.

As you would expect, Mr. Revenue Raising Plod was perched where the road goes from 100 to 80 to 60 in a short space and would've been making a killing, as the 60 zone, use to be 80 until yesterday. Go figure, but i'm sure that is just temporary.

As well as him, 2 other highway patrol poker machines were cruising the new stretch looking for victims.

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

[bluejay]

Hi Jeepers
I to am a mower man  i have a jims franchise in townsville,i hear what you are saying about when the lawn will let you go places we have just come back from 3 weeks on fraser arrived home on the 20/09/12 and started mowing on the 23/09/12 the grass has now started to get a move on so will be flat out till june next year then watch out fraser although am trying to get back down for a week in october some time but it doesnt like promising
Bluejay

[58fc chev]

just got back from a week at fraser, first time i've ever been there but definately won't be the last. we towed the ct on the inland track without any drama and came home via inskip today. didn't think it was to busy on fraser but inskip blew me away, camp grounds were packed and there were maybe 30 cars lined up on the beach waiting to get on the barge.
was all good till someone got bogged driving onto the beach on the exit side at inskip, the whole barge load of cars coming off fraser had to stop and wait till he got towed out, then the car in front of me got stuck so i gassed it in L4 and got around him but got stuck as well just short of the hard stuff. some bloke was there in an 80 series charging 20 bucks a tow. i was happy to dig myself out, all part of the adventure i kept telling my wife

[Hutch]

20 bucks a tow is not the 4wd spirit, I hope u have him the big get stuffed.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[Jeepers Creepers]

You have no idea how much that pleases me to see folks are still getting stuck in the sand on Inskip. 

Sorry you were one of ém, but hey, i was feeling a bit special until i read your post. At least now, i'd drop my air a bit lower and i have Max Traks. hmmmm, Max Traks, can't wait to get bogged again now. 

Until June this year, it had been 14 years since we last visited Fraser. Geez i'd missed the ol island paradise.

We went in June for 4 nights, August for a day trip (only $80.00 return for a day trip on the barge), September for 5 nights and trying to get there again in November for 5 or 6 nights.

Hey Bluejay, if this silling bloody weather pattern keeps up, you should shoot for November. 

Hmmm, 3;30am on a sunday morning, where's that bloody tide book, i think i need to plan a holiday.

[58fc chev]

Sure did Hutch, he came over while i was digging and offered me a tow. If the "my car does not run on THANKS" written in fluro paint pen on his back window make me shake my head and look away then his sad story about him not being able to take his kids on holiday cause he's to busy helping people who don't have a clue about driving on sand just annoyed me.
At the same time he was talking to me, his wife was telling my mine how they were there all yesterday doing the same thing. He towed 3 cars while i was there digging, so 60 bucks for 15 minutes work isn't a bad little money maker. Bet he's still there today doing the same.

Maxtrax are on my shopping list before i hit the sand next time, i've already saved 20 bucks to put towards them
 

[Squalo]

Does this guy tell people upfront that there's a fee? I reckon I'd hang around and gazump him and tow people for free just to piss him off. In fact I'd do it until he packed up and went home... can't stand people like that.

[Tom]

Question.
If I go to Fraser Island , it means I must drive on sand getting on and off the ferry ,Yes ?
So I could get bogged and be stranded last boat?
Cheers.
Titch

[Jeepers Creepers]

Hey Tom, yes, you must drive on sand whilst getting on and off the barge.

You also, drive on sand for 99.9% of the time you are on Fraser.

It total, we've been to fraser maybe 10 times or more, and our last rip was the first we ever got bogged.

No, you won't be left behind, as someone will always stop to give you a hand if you had an issue.

On the local news tonight, they showed the line up for the barge to return to the mainland ar around 2 -2.5 klm long.

Tom, the best advice i can give would be to time your barge times to go over at an hour or a bit more BEFORE LOW TIDE.

Hook Point is easy as wetting the bed at low tide and even 2 hours either side will be fine, MOST TIMES.

Weather, swells etc, will always play a part, but a phone call to the barge guys will tell you the conditions or a PM to me will see me send you as much info as possible.

I hope this helps, cheers JC

[Tom]

Thanks JC,good information.
Cheers.
Titch

[Rumpig]

Question.
If I go to Fraser Island , it means I must drive on sand getting on and off the ferry ,Yes ?

not if you were on the barge coming and going from Hervey Bay to Kingfisher Resort, but yes if on other barges such as Inskip Point

[Tom]

not if you were on the barge coming and going from Hervey Bay to Kingfisher Resort, but yes if on other barges such as Inskip Point

more info,thanks mate .
Cheers.
Titch

[edz]

 Barge fee's for trip from Hervey Bay to Kingfisher differ I believe from those off Inskip, think they have fixed departure and return time on your ticket from Hervey bay, miss that and you pay again, Where as the Inskip barge runs early AM to to late afternoon , also fee's for extra passengers other than the driver.. from what I've been told ( Happy to be corrected on that one ).

[Rumpig]

more info,thanks mate .
Cheers.
Titch

Kingfisher Resort has bitumin at it, so you land and leave on the black top. as already mentioned above, it has a timetable that you need to book for, unlike Inskip Point. it also runs a lot later then Inskip also, and is priced differently

KINGFISHER FERRY TRANSFER TIMETABLE
Departs River Heads    6:45    9:00    12:30    15:30    18:45    21:30
Departs Kingfisher Bay Resort Jetty    7:50    10:30    14:00    17:00    20:30    **23:00

check here for more info. http://www.kingfisherbay.com/getting-here/fraser-island-transfers/fraser-island-ferry.html
Inskip barges run from the Southern end of the island, where as this is not quite about halfway up the Western side of Fraser Island