Geoffrey Stevens is a retired pilot who worked for Qantas. He’s an accomplished hiker who has conquered trails such as The Fraser Island Great Walk, The Larapinta Trail, Overland Track, Hinchinbrook Island, Jatbula as well as overseas hikes, including The Camino de Santiago, Haute Route, Annapurna Circuit, Kakoda, The Great Wall, Rinjani Trek and others. Quite the list! All photos are his property.
My Experience
Day 1
It’s a beautiful morning for the first day of my Great Fraser Island Walk. I travel from Cairns to rendezvous with my Brisbane based trekking buddies, and after being picked up from the airport we make our way to Inskip Point – a 3 hr drive north of Brisbane.
The walk can be done from the North or South but we elected to do it from the South which enables us to complete the trek at Happy Valley. There is a resort/retreat here with cabins and a pub which enabled a celebration after our 90km journey is complete.
We leave our car at Inskip Point and board the Manta Ray which runs from 6:00 am to Hook Point. This journey is free – although I’m not sure why, but we are pleased anyway. So after a brief photo we are picked up by Steve – from Fraser Island Taxis who was our pick up liaison co-ordinated around the low tide and off we go ….
We are dropped off near Dilli Village and immediately come across some beautiful vibrant green ferns which seem to adorn this walk. How beautiful! And not being botanists we name them ‘the fluffy forest.‘
It’s 13km today enroute to Lake Benaroon and as I pass the Wongi Sand Blow, I get Telstra reception and send a few pics.
We reach camp having obviously booked ahead with the National Parks then head to the lake for a swim and a few wines which we cart in via our backpacks.
Day 2-3
Today we rise early on sunrise, and after boiling some noodles and packing up our tents we head to Lake McKenzie. It will be another 14km day and although the weather is hot with clear sunny skies, most of the walk is under a shelter of huge Tallowoods.
We pass Basin Lake – an approximate midway point and decide to have a dip in Basin Lake as time is on our side.
The lakes are mostly all Perch Lakes – meaning they are filled primarily from rainfall and are all fresh water – so water supplies are ample. Our journey continues and we pass through Central Station. Giant pines greet us that have massive staghorns attached – truly an awesome sight!
Lunch here on picnic tables and afterwards we don our backpacks and continue to Lake McKenzie.
The campground offer pads and vermin proof boxes and some like Lake McKenzie also are fenced from Dingoes etc.
We head to the Lake and wow how beautiful. Truly a special place!
We spend two nights here and have arranged with Fraser Island Taxis a food and wine drop. Tonight we celebrate at camp with some Vino Tinto!
Day 4
We are on our way again to Lake Wabby. Its a 12km day today and again under shelter. The trail is mostly over sand and isn’t flat so be prepared to huff and puff, up and down.
We reach Lake Wabby. Its the deepest Lake on the island at 11 meters deep and lays at the end of the Hammestone Sand Blow. We have a late afternoon swim. The water is teaming with fish and we glimpse a turtle.
We cook our dehydrated meals with our water boiler and enjoy some wine.
Day 5
Today is our longest day – 17km to ‘The Valley of the Giants.’
After setting up camp I venture 1.6 km and find this giant Tallowood. Some 1000 years old! It is 11.5 meters around the base. Truly majestic and moving!
Tonight we tuck into our tents early. A few mozzies are out and about but that’s okay. We can chat as we watch the stars and eventually fall asleep.
Day 6
We head off early as per normal to Lake Garawongera. Its another 13km day and we pass through some stunning areas of natural forest and native grass trees with new growth spears.
This tree was cleared on the 18/7/21. If one looks closely they can see this date is carved on its front face.
Lake Garawongera now – our final night on the trail. We have a swim and will venture down after dark to see the stars.
The water is drinkable despite the colour which occurs from tannins.
Day 7
Our last day. Its only a short day today of roughly 7 kms. We are in good spirits and head to Happy Valley. We had a great journey.
The Ozzie outback delivers once again!
And finally…
I hope if you get the chance you enjoy the walk as much as we did.