Today was massive! We did our own things and Kieran started the day with Park Run. The Scott’s headed to the markets this morning and spent this afternoon on a whale watching cruise which they really enjoyed, particularly the pod of mothers and calves that put on a display for them.

Bob and I were off on our day by 715 – bus, then ferry, then bus again on K’gari. The sandy ‘roads’ across the island were insane and we are so glad we didn’t try this in our car. We were held up by almost half an hour by vehicles in front of us getting completely bogged.

The day was over 11 hours from pick up to drop off and there was so much information to process! Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and she made me tired watching what she does in a day of work including 4WD bus driving and commentary.

Once we’d made it over to the eastern beach (which is a gazetted highway, and so much better than the sand traps in the middle of the island), our first stop was the Maheno shipwreck which stranded in the 1930’s. Amazing how this has survived compared to the Sygna at Stockton. We then headed to The Pinnacles where the layers in the sand of the dunes is multicoloured.

After a stop at the aquifer fed Eli Creek we enjoyed a buffet lunch at Eurong Resort. Then it was off to explore the rainforests and the logging areas from the colonial past. We finished the day at Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), a perched lake containing only rainwater. The sand is pure white and the water colour gradient was beautiful. A gorgeous swimming location.

The story of the indigenous on this island is not easy listening. It was comforting to hear that the traditional landowners are back working on the island to manage the flora and fauna into the future.

We arrived back at the van in time to get ready and head out to dinner with Jase and Sue. We said goodbye to them in Broome in June and we find ourselves crossing paths for one night here! All 6 of us had a great night catching up on the last couple of months and sharing experiences.

Tomorrow we depart again and continue our trek south to the inevitable end – which we are still ignoring. We will travel separately as Bob and I can’t leave Hervey Bay without a whale tour so will meet up with Karen and Kieran tomorrow night at Maroochydore.