Opposite Lock - Epping

K’GARI FRASER ISLAND - DAY 10 - Friday 3 July 2026

A morning stop at Happy valley where we met Jen and she was kind enough to squeeze 19 of us in for dinner on our way back through tonight.

Another quick stop at Eurong for fuel and souvenirs, then we headed to Central station. Central Station was established as a forestry camp whilst there was still logging on the island. The local flora and fauna is on display and signed along the way. Some of the Elk Horn Ferns were the largest we have seen and the water at Wanggoolba Creek was the clearest you will ever see. Coming down the boardwalk, it seemed like we were walking towards a sand bed but was actually a shallow creek with crystal clear water.

Next stop was Lake Menzie. We drive through the Pile Valley to get there. There is a designated fenced area where food and drinks can be consumed, otherwise it’s water only at the lake. I highly suggest when you arrive at the Lake, veer to the left and you may find yourself your own piece of beach on white sand. Lake McKenzie is filled entirely be rain water only compacted sand dunes. It not connected to any other waterway. Some took their snorkels and stand up boards and before we knew it, it was time to head back to Happy Valley for dinner.

K’GARI FRASER ISLAND - DAY 9 - Thursday 2 July 2026

Big day today. We left camp around 9:40am, high tide. Made our way to the SS Meheno shipwreck which is only 15 minutes from our camp. In her short 30 odd years she saw a lot. A New Zealand ship, initially her main voyages were in the Tasman Sea. New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney and even trips to Vancouver. During WWI she was repainted and turned into a floating hospital. She transferred injuried soldiers to Malta. In 1935 she was being transported to Japan for scrap when a cyclone broke her tether and she became shipwrecked on Fraser Island.

We paused at 11:30am to remember an independent, lovable and strong willed woman who lived life her way. Marilyn Stevens RIP

Eli Creek is a short relaxing float in fresh water, yet so close to the Coral Sea. It is a popular bus tour spot so there were the most people we had send in one location since leaving the Gold Coast.

We then drove into the tiny town of Eurong where we inundated the bakery for lunch and then checked out the pub at the resort as a potential dinner spot.

A late afternoon visit to Lake Wabby at 3:30pm was not ideal. It is at least a 30 minute walk to the lake from the carpark. We wanted time on the sandblows and in the lake so we were going to cut it fine if we wanted to avoid night.

The sun sets quickly on the island and before we knew it we were 4wding on tracks in the dark. Navigating Yidney Rocks during the night and at high tide is definitely not recommended.

As we pulled up into camp, the Digital Tyre Monitor started alarming, so had to repair a puncture in the dark. Let’s see how long we get out of the tyre now!