Our first stop was Red Canyon. Dave took us on a short but very difficult walk up to a viewpoint on top of Red Canyon. It is hard work walking up a steep sand dune when every step you take you slide back 2 steps and the sand is hot too.
Fiona & Cameron did most of the driving hence the L plates
After Red Canyon we carried on along the mostly hard sand to Double Island Point to have some lunch. The awnings came out so we had some shade and we enjoyed the view while having lunch.
While we were having lunch some of the kids (the big kids too) couldn't resist playing in the sand.
After lunch we walked up to the Light House at Double Island Point to check out the spectacular views from there.
From Double Island Point we back tracked along the beach for a bit and turned off onto the Leisha Track that took us over to the other side of the peninsula. Getting on to the Leisha Track we had to drive over the softest sand we came across. Everyone made it but I needed two goes at it after coming to a stop. Luckily I was able to reverse out and have another crack at it in a lower gear.
We decided we didn't have enough time for a swim in the lagoon which turned out to be a wise choice as driving along Rainbow Beach the tide was coming in and we had to do a bit of wave dodging. After getting off the beach and putting air in our tyres we said goodbye to Marcus and family who went off to check into the hotel and put a tired Lachlan to bed. The rest of us drove into Rainbow Beach hoping to buy some treats at the bakery but it was closed. So we consoled ourselves with a trip to The Carlo Sandblow where we had some more great views.
Cameron was the first to go for a walk across the sand.
Then some of us walked down to the edge of the sandblow.
Where we spotted a Sea Eagle flying around over our heads.
Then it was the hard trudge back up the sandblow to join the others (but easier than Red Canyon)
The view from the edge of the sandblow.
Paul walked all the way to the other side and back.
From the sandblow it was onto Inskip Point and our campsite. We drove past all the campsites before choosing M.V. Beagle, second from the end. M.V. Sarawak was probably the best location and that's why everyone had set up camp there as well so we decided on M.V. Beagle as that didn't look quite as busy. Embarrassingly when we were in the campsite I pulled off the track to park the ute and got stuck. I had to get out, lock my hubs and put in 4wd to get myself out. The sand wasn't even that soft and I don't know how I got bogged.
Keri, Paul, Cameron & Me set up camp for the night and we all cooked dinner. After dinner and a short meeting about the High Country we said goodbye to Dave & family and Don & Tracy who had to drive home. Before going to bed I walked out to the beach and took a few photos.
The Milky Way over Inskip Point.
Our "Million Star accommodation"
The next morning I set my alarm to get up before dawn and take some more photos and watch the sunrise.
We decided not to drive over to Tin Can Bay for the dolphin feeding. Instead we just relaxed around Inskip Point enjoying the location. After a walk up to where the Frasier Island ferry docks we packed up and drove into Rainbow Beach town and treated ourselves to a snack from the bakery. From there we left for the long drive home to try and beat the traffic and hopefully have time to wash down the car. I crawled under the Navarra with a hose and got soaked washing all the sand out. I thought I had done a good job so I packed the hose away and then discovered all the sand I'd missed when I checked under the car again. I gave a quick hose down again the next day but I'm sure I still missed some sand. Let's just hope the expensive electronic rust protection I just bought works and isn't a waste of money like so many people say it is.
We didn't catch up with Marcus & family on Sunday. He called while we were at the bakery and said they went to the dolphin feeding but couldn't get tickets as it was sold out. They bought another beach permit and were heading back to the lagoon for a swim once the tide was low enough but we decided to head home instead.
Cos.
