More More More, Moreton Island

Australia Day Holiday 25th - 27th January 2014

After another long working week we were excited to spend some more time on the beach after our New Year trip to Fraser.  This time it was just the two of us so we packed up the Cruiser and jumped on the ferry from the Port of Brisbane and took the 90minute trip across direct to "The Wrecks".  Which is exactly that, a graveyard of purposely sunk ships which have formed a stunning background to the island.

Ferry across was jam packed with vehicles heading across to Moreton.  Overcast day but still a barmy 32degrees with a slight breeze.  Crossing the shipping lanes of Brisbane. 

We were sitting on the top deck of the ferry and a large pod of dolphins were playing around, Shahn managed to snap this one jumping out - they are quick buggers, a bit sad it is not closer but better than nothing!!

 Steep sand dunes on the beach north of The Wrecks, you can toboggan down them.

First glimpse of the shipwrecks from the ferry.  A few dredgers.

All the wrecks

On the beach outside out campsite.  We were camping up in the trees behind Eak.

We set up camp at the most north-western, Comboyuro campground.  We found the farthest campsite and had beach access, it was well sheltered from the wind - a nice little hideaway.

Shahn reading and reclining - shit yeah, camping with class!  We had a bit of showers on and off so had to tarp up the tent to keep the breeze going through.

Facing towards the mainland, Eaky doing some great nightshots.

Day two, bought an improvement in weather and the Triple J Top 100, in which Lorde killed it and had 6 entries, was on so while driving and seeing the days events gave some great sounds to listen to. We had a lovely bacon & egg breakfast then headed off to the east coast to see Queensland's first lighthouse, built in the 1850s after many ships coming to grief on the reefs around the islands.

North Beach looking west

Honeymoon Bay at North Beach looking at the lighthouse.  It was blowing a gale across the Tasman Ocean, looking lovingly towards our homelands general direction.

Cape Moreton Lighthouse

Found yet another Smith....

Fishing on the beach after a day exploring the north and western part of the island.

Fishing, reclining, listening to the top 100 and watching the sun set, beautiful!

Panoramic view of our fishing spot.  Our camp down the beach towards the right

Laughable, just laughable.  This poor little fish was an unsuspecting victim snagged in a fluke effort by Eak. 

Seriously.....

Fishing on the beach, beautiful sunset. 

Day Three, Last day on Moreton. 

Getting ready to pack up for a huge day checking out the lagoon, snorkelling at the wrecks and the evening at Tangalooma resort to see the dolphins.

Shipwreck up on the beach

Michael investigating the wreck

Blue Lagoon.  Located south of the lighthouse on the east side of the island. Shahn deciding if it warm enough for a swim, we did go for a swim.

Blue Lagoon

It was so windy that the sand was swept out from under the wheels.  I am trying to escape the sandblasting that my legs were getting.

Off to the Wrecks for about three hours of solid snorkelling (which resulted in sunburnt backs and legs from poor sunblock etiquette).  Just a short swim off the beach, pretty sheltered from wind but just had to keep an eye out for the tides, some strong currents.

Reef fish

Fishy fishy fishy.

After some hours spent on the beach and in the sea, we headed off to Tangalooma for a beer and waited for the dolphins to head in for the nightly feeding.  While we were waiting on the pier, this awesome stingray came up from the depths and showed off by gliding along the top.  So many stingrays near the pier.

The best picture we had of the dolphins, the glare from light made it difficult to film but they were incredible to watch.  A mother and her calf were the first ones in.  These are the common bottlenose dolphin.

Eak getting bored with the dolphins and dreaming about having a bigger boat...

While waiting for the ferry to take us back to Brisbane, we killed some time by fishing and taking some photos of the wrecks at night.  We were booked to head back at 8.30pm but due to high demand it was an hour late so it made for a late night crossing but a great weekend all up.

Using the Landcruiser spotlights to photograph the wrecks at night and these baitfish were beaching themselves on the shore.  Eak had to sweep them back in the water, will have to remember this for night fishing!

Pretty cool aye.  Looks a bit haunting, pirates of the Caribbean even.

Fraser Island Fun

27th December 2013 - 1st January 2014

Our adventure in the largest sand island in the world, (Take 2 - for those keeping count, April 2013 was our first visit to Fraser for the Anzac break).  Check out the link for the map of Fraser Island
Getting ready for the ferry crossing at Inskip Point

Fishing on the beach just relaxing between swimming and eating.

First campsite (Cornwells), our wee green tent that does us proud, the communal blue tent and Craig's little yellow tent.  Close to the beach so we could fish and swim, just beautiful!

Craig (right) and Eak after a walk to look over a large blow out, the sand dune moves 1 meter  inland every year.

Shahn enjoying the sun.

Swimming with the bait fish

Night Fishing, red lighting it up, we had glowing sand and water that night not sure if was Dinoflagellates or Triboluminesence

Richard and Craig fishing, we failed to catch anything on a night time excursion so we tried during the day and catching fish up here was hard work.

Champagne Pools trying to cool down

Outside our camp site in the far north of Fraser Island (Carree), Richard and Shahn fishing, sea temp had to be at least 25 degrees

The camp shower at Carree

The camp, our sweet tents, the kitchen tent (massive blue one) was really good to hide away from the biting march flies

Shahn fishing...... and yet still no fish

Craig and Richard relaxing on the beach.

Craig and I went fishing down on the point, we came across a massive turtle did not manage to get a photo but very cool.

Graves near the lighthouse.

Checking the battery after running the fridge for two days, green for good

Having beers playing uker and eating chocolate, Richard is really happy about life.

Driving in the rainforest

Shahn enjoying the shower finally some fresh water, strategic tarp & pole work so I didn't have to shower in my bikinis, lovely hot water shower in the rude for New Year's Eve!

Craig and Richard fishing and kicking a ball about.

Our last campsite awesome (Wongai) bit sandy but you get that on the island, but heaps of horse(march) flies.

Shahn reading and relaxing, Midori and reclining - ohhhhh yeah!

Craig and I having a beer and Fishing.
Outcome of the whole trip for fish. Craig 1 Michael 1 Richard 0 and Shahn 0
But over all just good fun.

Walking along the beach looking for tracks, nice 8km walk in the dark, just had to watch out for the crabs every step you almost stood on one.

Turtle, I'm not good with my identification but either Green turtle or Loggerhead. But my money is on a green as they are more common.

Very cool Turtle Laying eggs

Following the tracks up the beach.

Beautiful Turtle on the beach

Turtle laying eggs

Just loving it, fantastic weather, had to carry heaps of water and a short walk in the bush you over heat

Heading back to camp, then back to Eurong for ice-cream water and then off for a swim

Heading along Orchid Beach

Ngkala Rocks, Waiting hours to cross when people get stuck, drivers just need to lower their tyre pressure and keep you speed up it, as none wants to spend all day in their car, we all just want to get to campsites

The sun blocked out from bush fires.

The Maheno Wreck ghostly scene…...

Dingo's at our camp

A few random night shots, party goes walking home with glow sticks

Craig off walking

Bush Fire.

Crossing the creek to get to the beach..... a bit deeper than I thought.