Byron Bay to Fraser Island

In Byron Bay we did our first two dives on this trip at ‘Julian Rocks’, a fairly small rock formation not far from the coast. Coral-wise it was as pretty as the dives in Perth, most amazing though and completely new to us were a few leopard sharks around that dive spot - completely harmless in case you got scared for us ;)

The next days we drove up via Gold Coast and Brisbane (where we met with Sibylle) to Mooloolaba where we were booked in to dive the HMAS Brisbane which was purposely sunk in 2005 to create an artificial ‘reef’. The wildlife has truly taken over the sunken ship and covered it in corals and sponges. Two very cool dives again. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great that day so the boat ride to the dive site was very, very bumpy and not very pleasant but thanks to my magic pills all was good; maybe I’m also getting used to it?!

We then made our way up the coast via Noosa to Hervey Bay from where we boarded the ferry to Fraser Island. Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world. But despite of all the sand, Fraser Island is covered in very diverse vegetation; tropical and tempered rainforests and over 40 freshwater lakes are found on the island. We had booked a 3 day tour which started Wednesday morning by hopping on the ferry. On a bus with 40 other backpackers (It’s official now, we’re old.) we set out to explore the island. Here are a few highlights:

Swimming in Lake McKenzie's crystal clear water

Wreck of the 'Maheno'

Rescuing a stuck bus on the world's longest sand highway

Champagne Pools

Dingos on the beach

More swimming in Lake Burraween

Sandy hike to Lake Wabby