2. K`Gari (Fraser island)

3 July

Today we are at 7.30am in the harbour for a boat trip to explore Fraser Island :-)

Fraser island changed his name earlier this year back to its original name K`Gari, meaning Paradise. The Butchulla lived here for over 6000 of years and where extremely skillful in tracking and hunting.

K`Gari is the world’s largest sand island, stretching 123km long and 22km wide. The island is a World Heritage listed wonder and has endless white sand beaches, freshwater lakes and even tropical rainforests! K`gari is home to 200-300 dingoes (wild dogs), goannas (prehistoric lizards), freshwater turtles, seaturtles, tiger sharks and humpback whales, and over 330 bird species,...

We join on board and float along the eastern coatst, trying to spot a whale. Each Australian winter from July to October, the humback whales make the waters around Fraser island a regular stop in their migration, so we might see an early voyager.

On the endless white beaches Bert is happy to spot a dingo. No surprise as there are about 200-300 of them on the island. Campers often feel scared at night hearing the dingoes howling nearby.

Our first stop is at Awinya Creek. We go on land and kayak our way through the mangroves. The water in the creek is as clear as crystal and an important source of fresh water to the native animals and humans. A Brahminy eagle circles above us with impressive wingspan.

Aiko seems to be born to kayak she just loves it!

At Bowarrady Creek we climb one of the sand dunes. The sand has such a high silicate content that it is almost white. The beach is full of treasures. Another fenomenon is `coffee rock` a dark coffee like substance created over the years by compression of vegetation.

We end with a snorkle stop not far from the coast, just above the coffee rock, a favourite place for turtles to swim and find food. The water is really cold so even with wet suits the kids are out within 5 minutes. Bert does not give up and stays in the cold for much longer, his patience is rewarded when he sees a seaturtle! We get ourselves up to temperature with hot chocolate.

What an amazing day !