WANDERLUST: 1/18/09

Sorry we've been M.I.A.! Australia has been interesting and we've learned a few lessons about what we want this trip to be.

After Sydney, we rented another Ford Focus like we had in NZ (it's become our new favorite car) and drove up the coast to Byron Bay for some beach time. Side note: Our "irrational" fear of sharks has become quite rational here. Since we arrived there have been 4 shark attacks, one of which involved a Great White and a sea kayaker. On top of the many species of sharks, there are sting rays, jellyfish (large ones and deadly microscopic ones), crocodiles, spiders, snakes, and of course the dingo! We can't help but feel that our position on the food chain has been slightly diminished!

All fears aside, we fell in love with Byron Bay. It's a bohemian beach surfer town with a vibe that is reminiscent of Burning Man, organic markets, massage/healing centers, yoga classes, and gorgeous beaches. After 2 days, we reluctantly left and headed for Fraser Island, about 6.5 hours north. We had planned to rent a 4WD SUV and tour the island. Fraser is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest sand island in the world. Upon arrival we were given a 2 hour orientation DVD that contained the following warnings...

#1 - WATCH OUT FOR THE DINGOES! Don't run if they approach you
#2 - Don't go swimming in any ocean beaches due to large shark populations
#3 - WATCH OUT FOR THE DINGOES! Keep a close eye on all children under the age of 10
#4 - Watch out for sink holes and ledges while driving on the beach
#5 - DO NOT APPROACH THE DINGOES! If they approach you, cross both arms across your chest and stare at them. Do not turn your back on them and run!
#6 - Do not set up tent on the beach. It is a road and you don't want to get run over!
#7 - If you are attacked by a dingo, put up an aggressive fight!

Besides the warnings, we had one other little problem...

The driving on the island is ridiculously hardcore. No roads, just sand tracks. Oh, and they only have manual vehicles which neither of us can drive. We decided to test our our driving skills the night before in the driveway of our hostel...we couldn't even make it 2 feet to the road! We have no clue how to drive manual! So we ended up canceling and booking a 1 day group tour.

Lesson #1 - NO GROUP TOURS!
Lesson #2 - Go with your gut
Lesson #3 - When you find somewhere you like, stay

The day tour was a nightmare. Can't quite put it into words but lets just say 40 people on an un-airconditioned bus that for sure reached 120 degrees, bouncing around uncontrollably for hours on end. Let's just say you had to be there. Unanimously we decided that once we got off Fraser Island we were heading straight back to Byron Bay for a week on the beach!

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Rain Forest on Fraser Island...