Still on The List

If I made a list of my favourite places in Australia, Fraser Island would be so near the top. To me, it epitomises so much of what I love....sunshine, freedom, splendid scenery, beach living, 4 wheel driving, swimming, simple living, camping and adventure.

We've just spent 3 nights on the island with our parents...both sets!!...and Kirsty's sister, husband and 3 of our nieces and nephews. Perfect weather - sunshine and cooling breeze. Well-timed early afternoon low tides. 2 cars bogged....not the Nav (of course!) The worms were biting and the pippys were almost jumping into the bucket. Dolphins were playing in the south and sea eagles spread their majestic wings in the north. And the best bits - Lake McKenzie, Central Station, Eli Creek, Ocean Lake, the Maheno and all the beaches - were showing themselves off to full advantage.

Sadly, we couldn't get all the way up to Sandy Cape as they've closed a couple of tracks due to severe beach erosion, but there was still plenty to see and do to the south.

I absolutely love camping on the beachfront...despite the south easterly winds and sand blowing every which way....so it was great to have 2 nights camped on the dunes. And it was fun building sand cars and damming the creeks and playing tennis ball golf and all the other fun bits that go along with camping with kids.

Thanks everyone for a great time....and cheers! to the Tenacious Terracan, the Dominating Defender and the Courageous Colorado. You gave the Mighty Navara good competition but just weren't quite up to the mark. Maybe next time!

The OTT....on the way up!

We're back from our 2009 Cape York Adventure and still smiling.

Had an absolute ball and can't wait to try it again.....soon.

As you'll see, lots of challenging 4 wheel driving which had the boys debating and discussing and reliving all the best bits late into the night. As per usual, the photos just don't do any of this amazing trip justice....nor do words for that matter. But they help us relive a brilliant couple of weeks and hopefully give you a taste of what's up there in the north, waiting for you to explore and experience.

As to the big question....would the Terracan survive??? You'll have to wait for the next post...."The OTT......on the way down!"

BTW, a big shout out to our Carry-Me-Camper buddy: Wayn'o from Weipa. We passed Wayn'o on the bypass track at Gunshot. The brave lad had given it a red hot go, but sadly on that day, no go. Funniest thing....he knew us! He's been following our blog! Small world! Thanks for your feedback Wayn'o. You're a legend!

And now....the proof is in the pics...................

Preparing the first crossing...Palm Ck. If you can survive this one, you can do 'em all. Maybe?

The Nav takes on crossing one. That drop is much steeper than it looks and the fine white dirt on top takes away your traction, so be prepared to s-l-i-d-e.

The Nav's through....now the Terracan has a go. Phew! Made it! We're off to a ripper start on the OTT.

The first wet creek crossing....Ducie Ck. One of the easiest and dirtiest. No swimming here.

Jon makes it through Gunshot.....not in the Navara though. We decided to give the poor girl a day off, after all, we still have a few months of traveling left to go.

The entry to Cockatoo Creek.....which is followed by dodging the holes in the creek bed....then avoiding the ruts and the rocks on the exit bank. Great fun!

The reward for surviving the southern section of the OTT......2 amazing days at Eliot and Twin Falls. Fantastic swimming.

How lucky are we? We had delightful Fruit Bat Falls to ourselves for the afternoon.

The exit out of Canal Creek was pretty soft and sloppy. 3 attempts on this slope and we got through. Meanwhile, Dad had crossed further east in the Terracan and couldn't make it up the bank. So, he had to reverse back into the creek, do a 12 point turn and cross back onto the south side, before trying a different route.

Crossing the Jardine River by ferry is more expensive, but it's safer! Funniest moment: the guy who sells you your ticket asks what make of car you have. Dad told him a Hyundai Terracan and he just looked blank. Never heard of it! We wonder if we just made history....The first Hyundai to the Tip!

Made it! What a great feeling! I want to do it again....and again....and......

Jon's pretty happy we made it to the Tip too!

It's God's own country up here.