Fraser Island Travel Story 2
By Christine Retschlag
The sea is the color of blue Curacao, the beach has been dusted with
icing sugar and the ocean resembles a Roman square - so fascinating
are the fountains.
Were you to cast a coin on this day, the wish would be for whales.
A spectacular spurt of water, the casual flick of a gigantic tail
and the occupants of the tourist boat are dwarfed into glorious
insignificance.
The Fraser Coast is Mother Nature's crèche where whale calves
somersault into the air while back on the world's largest sand
island, dingo pups sit curiously in the shadows.
Fraser Island is the kind of place with which you immediately fall
in love.
Tour operator Mark Jappenlutz came to the island 12 years ago, got
"stuck" as they say in four-wheel drive parlance, had a carton of
beer in the back of his beast and realized life didn't get much
better.
"It's like the Gold Coast without the high-rises," he says.
"When you wake up and there's been a high tide and the four-wheel
drive tracks are all gone, and you drive along 75 mile beach, you
think you are the only person on the island. It's like paradise."
Certainly, there's a whole lot of Queensland rolled into one on this
idyllic island.
Firstly, there's the beach, which stretches for 75 miles, punctuated
only by fresh rivulets from creeks such as Eli, where the water is
so fresh you can drink it.
Further up, you'll stumble across the wreck of the Maheno, ravaged
by salt water but an elegant bookmark on this otherwise deserted
beach.
And then there's the columns of colored sands, stretching towards
the sky like the sphinxes of Egypt.
There's also a rainforest through which runs a crystal clear stream,
and Lake McKenzie, from the air a gorgeous blue pot hole, framed by
white sand and surrounded by lush vegetation.
While one of the best ways to explore the island is by four-wheel
drive, you can also have a bird's eye view with Air Fraser, which
offers joy flights and a beach landing you'll never forget.
From this perspective, it's easy to see why the Badjutla Aborigines
call Fraser paradise.
For the visitor, there are a number of accommodation options.
The adventurous can grab a four-wheel drive and pitch camp in the
dunes where the sun is your only wakeup call and your nearest
neighbours are the rolling waves.
For the budget traveler, Eurong Beach Resort offers a basic bed with
a million-dollar view, or you could opt for a clean and comfortable
hotel unit.
For those seeking a more upmarket experience with an eco flavour,
Kingfisher Bay
Resort is architecturally designed to take the best
advantage of mother nature's gifts.
Generous hotel rooms feature balconies perched in the bush, sensuous
spa baths soothe the tired traveler and in an environmental
masterstroke, shampoo, soap and shaving cream are all dispensed from
wall units.
The main pool is the perfect antidote to a busy day but to catch a
quintessential Queensland sunset, head down to the jetty where, with
champagne glass in hand, you can watch the golden hues turn to reds
and pinks.
Kingfisher Bay
Resort also offers a number of dining alternatives and
you can expect to eat fresh herbs grown on island at the first-class
Seabelle Restaurant.
Fraser Island is best accessed by nearby Hervey Bay and if, like
this writer, you haven't been there in 12 years, you're in for a
pleasant surprise.
The Outrigger chain has chosen the harbour as home for one of its
fine resorts, bedecked in colorful furnishings and a spa bath big
enough for two.
From your generous balcony, you can watch the whale boats depart on
their daily pilgrimage and return with delighted tourists.
The Spirit of Hervey Bay claims to be the only whale watching vessel
which allows views of whales in their natural environment through
underwater viewing rooms. Or you can simply stand on top deck, and
watch the show.
As they say in the brochure.it will leave you breathless.
A bit like the Fraser Coast really.