FRASER ISLAND TRAIL

Map References:

Purpose:

The aim of this trail description is to help plan sea kayaking expeditions on the west side of Fraser Island. The information is based on the planning and conduct of an 8-day kayak camp in Sep 2004.

General Description:

Safe kayak opportunities are excellent to west of Fraser Island. (However, daily forecasts are a must /wind and tide effects at Moon point can be an issue)
Wind prevailing trade winds from the S/SE make sails ideal when heading north.
September is generally the best time - Whale watching, lowest rainfall and average temperature 25C. Not too hot.
Tides - Flood tide travel both North and South and meet near Boonlye point/Sheridan Flats. Tidal range varies from 1 to 3 meters this determines carry distance at campsites. Portage above the high tide mark can range from easy 3m (at Wathumba at High tide ) to 50m flat vicinity Yathon Cliffs at High tide. Flow rate varies but can be up to 6 knots near Woody Island/Moon point. Selecting camping sites should be based on camping close to deep water channels around the Island as these afford shorter portages to carry Kayaks above the high water mark.
Dingoes. Do not feed - Be prepared to hang food up high, leave no food in tents tents should be closed and stick together.
Sandflies can eat visitors alive.
Fraser is well known for its lakes, however, the northern lakes are reportedly dry at the moment.
Things to do: whale watching Aug-Oct Hervey Bay, fishing (risk of ciguatera poisoning if oversized), paddling and relaxing.
Tourists and 4WD are mostly limited to the Eastern side of the Island.

Planning:

Daily distances. Suggested route:

Day 1: Boonooroo - Garry's Anchorage - Ungowa Creek. Boonooroo - good campsite close to water. Ungowa - Large campsite running water with toilet and Dingo cage available. Landing on wooden boat ramp or beach. Kayaks can be stored on the higher part of ramp.
Day 2: Ungowa Creek - Kingfisher Bay Resort - Woody Island. Good camp site on SE of Island. Portage 50 meters at High tide due to deep channel running along this side of the island. No water available.
Day 3: Woody Island - Woralie creek.. Collect water if required from the top end of Coongul creek on route. Camping at Woralie creek is tight but good supply of water available from creek.
Day 4: Woralie Creek -Yathon Cliffs - Wathumba (3 days) Water /cold shower/toilets available on Southern side of Wathumba. Camping is better on Northern side of creek. Wathamba is closed to Ocean at low tide.
Day 5: Whale Watching. Head North into Platypus bay. Deep water around 3km out.
Day 6: Skills clinic, whales, view Wathumba mangroves, fishing,resting.
Day 7: Wathumba - northeast of Moon Point (water in vicinity from creeks)
Day 8: Moon Point - Torquay. Torquay caravan park offers short kayak portage at low or high tide.

An overnight rehearsal paddle with as many group members as possible is strongly recommended a few weeks prior to departure.

Logistics

Tide: When traveling from Boonooroo or Tin Can bay area. Leave on the flood tides till Sheridan Flats after which you should time the ebb tide till Moon Point. Plan around the tides or you may end up going backwards.
Navigation: Compass and maps as a minimum. GPS is easier.
Transport: Good car shuffle is even split between Boonooroo & Torquay.
Camping: Fraser Island camping permit is $4 per night. Need to remember number and collect permit from local office QPWS Corner Lennox and Alice Streets PO Box 101 MARYBOROUGH QLD 4650 ph (07) 4121 1800 . Tents, normal pegs and sand pegs essential.
Boonooroo camping ground - Oak Street Boonooroo - 07 41298211
Torquay Caravan Park Esplanade Torquay, Hervey Bay QLD 4655 Telephone: (07) 4125 1578
Hydration: As a rough guide a (180cm 76kg male requires around 30lts of water total for 8 days. These figures will vary based on temperature and other factors). At least 10-15lt per person recommended with regular refill stops. Water is available at Ungowa (tank marked as unsuitable for drinking). Kingfisher Bay Resort, Wathumba and creeks along way. Water purifier and or puritabs (from chemist) are recommended to purify dodgy water.
Insects: Insect repellent - bring enough for constant application when out of boat, mortein to clear tent before bed time, Telfast antihistamines may be required if sensitive to bites, Vitamin B1 shot prior is reported to help but not proven, mozzie coils/candle may work but the issue is sandflies.
Food: Bring cooking gear, food, brew gear, fuel and washing up gear (or use sand). Keep in mind dehydrated foods use water and fuel to cook. Partially cooked rice/Pasta only uses 1 teaspoon of water and quick to warm up.
Lighting: A torch or headlamp (preferable).
Rubbish: Take out what you take in. Only Kingfisher Bay Resort has garbage bins. Compression bags are good for storing plastic and paper waste.
Comfort: Four-legged stool is essential- three-legged stools are not recommended as they are essentially a four legged stool missing one leg :-) Kayak seat cushion, make or buy one if you need to e.g. the Sealine cushion.
Hygiene: Biodegradable or Tilley's hardwater soap is recommended for personal hygiene.
Back Care:. Loaded boats should be carried using a 4-person lift. A rope underslung at the middle of the kayak with shoulder padding is recommended.
Safety gear: Goes without saying e.g. PFD, skirt, towropes, flares, spare paddle, VHF/27Mhz radio, GPS, medical kit and cag.

Communications:
VHF radio is essential for weather, daily check-in and emergencies.

Tin Can Bay VMR 417 AVCGA 80-82 ph 07 5486 4290
Sandy Straits VMR 421 AVCGA 80-82 ph 07 4129 8141
Hervey Bay VMR 466 VMR 22 & 73 ph 07 4128 9666
Bundaberg VMR 488 VMR 22-80-81 ph 07 4159 4349
Hervey Bay Water Police ph 07 4125 3900

VHF repeater on Sandy Cape lighthouse provides good reception throughout the entire Hervey Bay area on VHF channel 22

Four day weather reports (0605, 0705)
If news required then Australian newspaper is available at Kingfisher Bay, or bring radio if you really have to.
Mobile phones are out of range from around Woralie Creek to Wathumba.

End