Fraser Island on the Barge

Going to Fraser Island on the Barge, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

http://www.fraserislandbarge.com.au/

I went to see the Barges and find out about going across to Fraser Island. The Road was closed to 2WD, and after parking my vehicle in the parking area, I walked the sandy road to the beach where three barges waited for vehicles.
I asked about costs and was told $90 for a car and $45 for a motor bike, and then he smiled and said, free if you want a ride across.
So I happily waited for the barge to collect 4 motorbikes and some cars, and went across to see Fraser Island.

The Barges stop on the beach at the southernmost tip of the island, and vehicles drive off and away to Eurong over the white soft sands. I waited with the barge until it was time to return to Inskip.

Sea gulls dived into the water after fish. I walked in the sand and the water and enjoyed the beautiful island. The sand was as fine as silk, and is said to be great for cleaning jewelery with. The water was blue as blue. There is no camping on the beach at this point. One needs to go to Eurong and follow the hiking tracks from there.

Next trip I will bring my camping things and camp on the Island.

Manta Ray - Fraser Island Barges

Manta Ray Barge is a locally owned Fraser Island Barge service.

Manta Ray operate two Fraser Island Barges daily from 6.00am to 5.30pm.

The trip to Fraser Island from Inskip Point Rainbow Beach takes approximately 10 minutes and with two barges operating there is virtually no waiting.

The Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge service was started approximately ten years ago and continues to be owned and run by local operators. Initially set up to break a crippling monopoly of eleven years the Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge Service continues to keep the prices to and from Fraser Island to an affordable level so that everyone can enjoy its beauty. Like every small company we care for our customers

The Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge service is a small locally owned and independent Australian company and believe every Australian and also the overseas visitor should be able to enjoy the Fraser Island experience.

So, the next time you travel to Fraser Island, support the local Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge Service.
Just remember the Green and Gold which is the color of the Barges and the staff clothing

 

 

Rainbow Beach,... Inskip Camping Grounds

Perfect Peace, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

http://www.rainbow-beach.org/

I arrived at Rainbow Beach around 6pm, and got the Camping permit from the IGA store. I drove to Inskip, a distance of about 12 kms from town along a deserted road, and as it was starting to get dark, turned into the first Camping spot. There was a tent on the left and a Caravan on the right overlooking the water, and I thought that is where I needed to be, right by the sea.

I turned right, and immediately sank into soft sand and got the wheels bogged.
A lady using a phone in a car offered to push me out, but then I saw a couple at a campfire, and asked him to help.
They dug into the harder sand, and pushed and after a few tries they pushed me out and told me to stay on the bark path. As it was now dark, I parked on the bark for the night.

The sea was just opposite and all nigth you heard the waves breaking on the shore.
At Dawn, me and the camera went walking along the beach. It was beautiful. The sand soft and the waves wonderful along my feet. I was intending a swim, but I saw the blue bottles on the beach, and walked carefully after that.

There were many bluebottles on the sand and a few huge brown jelly fish called 'snotties' by the locals.

Then the black clouds came and with it the rain.