Fraser Island – walking trails
Sue Brooks April 30th, 2009
During my last weekend on Fraser Island a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Basin Lake. To get to the lake involved a quick walk up from the road where our big noisy bus was parked. The lake was quiet with no other visitors and a more beautiful place would be hard to find.
Then a few days later I heard of the most recent fatality caused by a ‘troop carrier’ overturning. I think it unnecessary to add further comment about the hows and whys of this accident other than that inexperienced drivers and top heavy overloaded vehicles are a recipe for disaster. There will be much discussion about how to prevent similar tragedies in the future and it appears Council may play a part in this process.
The growing problems of dingo management and the lack of appropriate infrastructure on the island, think toilets, are ongoing concerns. Weed management and research into water quality are just two other areas of worry. I am very concerned about the future of our island neighbour.
Tourism is an important feature of our region and we all benefit (directly or indirectly) from the people visiting the island. But will we love the island to death if we don’t take some steps to manage the way in which people experience this beautiful special place?
So to the Great Walk. As a young backpacker travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand, many, many years ago, I enjoyed walking the Routeburn Track. I still treasure the memories of the difficult walking and the overnight stay in a hut way up on the side of a mountain where no road was ever built. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Routeburn_Track The sites I saw, the load I carried on my back and the memories of friendships made have stayed with me always.
Why then is the Fraser Island Great Walk such a non event? Speaking to the few people I know who have walked the track it is a beautiful experience. Apparently though, the track is under utilised. Why don’t we develop this track and ensure that walking on Fraser Island becomes a desired way to experience this island? I believe that people walking through Fraser Island will experience the island in a way that can’t be found while buzzing along a beach in a 4WD! Walking is a peaceful activity and wildlife and vegetation can be seen and appreciated much more easily. How many of you have taken a walking tour from Kingfisher Bay? Even that limited experience fills one with wonder at the beauty and bounty of our natural environment.
So we need to ask our State Government to support the development of a Great Walk that is truly great. We need overnight huts. We need to extend the existing track and facilitate a booking system and staged walks. We need to encourage walking tours and allow commercial operators the opportunity to provide guided walks. The walks should vary in length and location etc. Other parts of the world have Internationally famous walks. http://www.cradlehuts.com.au/
Fraser Island has excellent weather all year round. A Fraser Island Great Walk experience should be a ‘must do’ on every tourists agenda. Our island walk should become a world famous walk. What do you think?
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Sue,
I both agree and disagree with you.
Toursim is good for our region; I agree. It benefits us all, I can’t speak for
others but it doesn’t benefit me in any way shape or form. I n fact I believe
it has degraded our city.
So to the great walk; I agree, the best way to view the island is on foot.
Finally, without Dingos, the horses (now removed), the bush (now being
destroyed), the dunes (now being destroyed), and the tranquility (now
being destroyed), Fraser will die. It’s only a fool who kills the goose that
lays the golden egg.
Don’t become one of the fowl keeper Sue.
Sadman
Sadman,
Try telling those who work in the tourism industry on the Fraser Coast that the industry that employs them is degrading.
What IS degrading is the way successive governments and greenie do gooders have changed the way the island is managed to the point we are actually causing more harm than good.
When the Forrestry department ran the island, by all accounts there was sustainability – even the logging – the micro-climate that exists on the island is conductive of very fast growth cycles for certain timber species. Forrestry trails also meant much of the island was accessable via the inland rather than forcing large amounts of traffic along the beaches.
We all know the stories but when will someone stand up and say enough is enough. It is time the entire management of the island was given a thorough shake-up and brought up to world best practise not ad hoc knee jerk reactionary ones.
Part of the solution is better education of visitors BEFORE they leave for the island.
One suggestion I have is the creation of a sand based driver training course here on the mainland where those who wish to drive on the island must attend and be given tuition in safer driving techniques – accompanied by attitude change classroom based sessions aimed at raising the awareness of the risks involved with beach / sand driving and giving novice drivers useful advice to help make their trip a safe and enjoyable one.
Whilst the drivers are being educated on how to make the journey safer, their passengers could be doing tours of Maryborough’s Portside or even the Water Education Park.. food for thought?
I agree with Ben Collins’s comments on the vital and important role of tourism (especially Fraser Island tourism) on all of us who live and work in this area. I also agree with his comments about the need for a return to better and more balanced management of the island rather than the current, very green approach. Surely, only people with heads in the sand dunes could disagree?
However, I do not think more driver training, bureaucracy and band-aid solutions are going to make any worthwhile differences to the environmental damage, accident rates or crowding on this delicate scenic site. The fact is that there is now simply too many vehicles and inexperienced drivers on the island. Sue has a very good point about shifting the tourist focus to a ‘walking/hiking’ one rather than a ‘drive as far and as fast as you can’ one. Buses or silent electrically powered vehicles could surely ferry groups from track to track and thus avoid the need for all those tourist hire 4wd’s altogether unless under the control of guides? It’s time for some big changes as the population and crowds will only get worse! Good thinking Sue
Ben,
Try reading what I said, not what you think I said. I have never said the industry is degrading.
Sue,
I am disappointed that you have joined in to spread the word that the troop carrier involved in the fatal accident was driven by an inexperienced driver, and that the vehicle was top heavy and overloaded. Do you know the name of the driver? Are you aware of his level of driving experience? Do you know how much weight the vehicle was carrying? How do you know it was overloaded? Please give us the exact details of HOW much experience the driver had, and how many kilograms the vehicle was overloaded. Or are you just accusing this driver of something illegal without any basis? Driving an overloaded vehicle is a VERY serious offense at the best of times, but to be involved in an accident while driving an overloaded vehicle which results in deaths is so serious that it involves mandatory jail sentences. You seem to be convicting this driver, the hire company and others involved without any evidence whatsoever. But please correct me if I’m wrong.
Patricia I have just returned from Fraser Island today where I attended the Fraser Island Association meeting. I was lucky enough to fly over and back. The clear majority of FI residents at that meeting voiced their ongoing concern and frustration about these particular vehicles. In my post I was attempting to make a general comment about the ‘troop carrier’ type of vehicle. I don’t know the details of the partcular accident that caused the fatalities.
But, I do find it totally irresponsible of whoever allows 8 or so people (up to 11, I am told) to pile into a 4WD vehicle and to sit sideways without lap sash or even lap seat belts onto any road any where at any time. I do know a person who was working loading up the vehicles at a local hire company who has spoken about this directly to me. This person has left the Bay and is not currently employed here.
I also have observed these vehicles frequently on the streets of the Bay and on FI itself. It is common knowledge that a person can hire a 4WD vehicle and travel to FI without ever having driven on sand before. I have never driven on sand before or taken charge of a 4WD in 4WD territory but I can hire a car and travel to FI.
One of these ‘troop’ carriers overturned on the Main St roundabout in Hervey Bay a while back. There have been several accidents on that roundabout over the years, but over turning is not usually involved to my knowledge.
I didn’t want to accuse anyone of anything and only touched briefly on that aspect of Fraser Island travel but honestly I do believe that allowing young, inexperienced backpackers or other travellers, to take charge of a 4WD vehicle full of unrestrained passengers is a recipe for disaster.
Inattention, inappropriate speed, inexperience, alcohol and high spirits all can contribute to accidents and I am sure that each accident has different factors contributing to it. It is so very, very sad that two young people have lost their lives. So yes, I suppose I stand accused!
Sue,
Would like to make a really long comment on this as it has mainly turned to the unfortunate accident instead of walking tracks. I do not work for a 4WD Hire Company, but do work in the tourism industry in Hervey Bay.
Quoting yourself, “But, I do find it totally irresponsible of whoever allows 8 or so people (up to 11, I am told) to pile into a 4WD vehicle and to sit sideways without lap sash or even lap seat belts onto any road anywhere at any time.”
— I have seen many of this style of vehicles through numerous companies being sent to the island all have had at least lap sashes. As they need a Vehicle Modification Plate to seat up to 11, the QLD Dept. of Transport would have cleared these vehicles for registration and this means the vehicles would’ve had a form of restraint for the passengers in the back. So if these cars are fitted with lap sashes, it then falls back on the passengers to actually wear such restraints.
“It is common knowledge that a person can hire a 4WD vehicle and travel to FI without ever having driven on sand before. I have never driven on sand before or taken charge of a 4WD in 4WD territory but I can hire a car and travel to FI.” & “I didn’t want to accuse anyone of anything and only touched briefly on that aspect of Fraser Island travel but honestly I do believe that allowing young, inexperienced backpackers or other travelers, to take charge of a 4WD vehicle full of unrestrained passengers is a recipe for disaster.”
— If you are leaning towards these style of tours (Self-Drive 4WD Groups) be cancelled, what is your thought on any local joe that just got his license, owns a 4WD and takes some friends to Fraser Island? What experience have they had with driving in sand? What 4WD experience has this person had? In Australia we have 20yos with Open licenses, these hire companies require the driver to be at least 21. Is there maybe a chance that these ‘inexperienced’ backpackers have had more driving experience than some of the locals that go to Fraser Island? This picture <<>> (not sure how to display images if it is even possible on here, so just copy and paste that URL in your browser) is of a local that drove his car 300m up Eli creek until he go to the sign that said “do no pass this point” so stopped, and couldn’t reverse it back. OK, no-body was injured, but still, this is just out right stupidity, and from the holder of a current QLD Driver’s License
“One of these ‘troop’ carriers overturned on the Main St roundabout in Hervey Bay a while back. There have been several accidents on that roundabout over the years, but over turning is not usually involved to my knowledge.”
— The driver is not entirely to blmae for this incident. He is in a large 4WD with loaded roof racks, trying to negociate a round-a-bout that has an awkward inverse camber on the road (which is why there are many accidents in the wet), on tires that have been majorly deflated. These tires have been deflated by the hire company to make it easier to drive on sand but causes a rolling action when cornering on bitchumen. And to mention another, there was also a rollover on the Booral Road/River Heads Road Turn off with the same sort of vehicle in the same sort of conditions.
Which leads me to “Inattention, inappropriate speed, inexperience, alcohol and high spirits all can contribute to accidents and I am sure that each accident has different factors contributing to it. It is so very, very sad that two young people have lost their lives. So yes, I suppose I stand accused!”
— (regarding the on road crashes at least)
1) Inattention; the driver was just trying to negociate a round about with a top heavy car (see my comment previously)
2) Inappropriate speed; For the one on Booral Road, maybe, they noticed the turn off too late and try to make the turn. For the round-a-bout at Main street the camber of the road and deflated tires plays a large part.
3) Inexperience; These two accidents have been on Hervey Bay Roads. To drive the vehicle the tour companies require you are at least 21yrs old and have a current unrestricted license. I’ve seen and heard of more crashes on the two round-a-bouts in mention from local P-Plate drivers than overseas drivers. So where does this inexperience come in to play?
4) Alcohol; well, the rollover i mentioned on Booral/River Heads Roads was at ~9am before they even got to Fraser. They were travelling to the barge.
5) Sad that two people lost their lives; Yes. Extremely sad. Now, let’s think of the driver who has to live knowing that two people died because of his last minute decision. Who instructed these drivers about Fraser Island? I know some companies use backpackers to brief the group; other companies use people who have been doing it for years. There was a report that two of the members of that group that crashed on Fraser Island resulting in two fatalities were told to load the camping equipment while others did shopping and then only a few members were actually briefed about driving on Fraser Island.
http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/367/2834295560102774775S600x600Q85.jpg is the URL for the picture i mentioned
Graham you raise some excellent points. Most of which I agree with. However my intent is not to stop people driving on Fraser Island. Personally I would like to see a reduction in first time visitors being allowed to take control of a 4WD full of other people given free access to FI, but I am a realist and don’t think that is going to happen.
I was a backpacker once and factored into my itinery enough time to undertake walks. Even now when holidaying anywhere with my partner Graham, we walk whenever we can. We most recently visited Rarotonga and didn’t hire a car but bused and walked. We also thoroughly enjoyed a one day walk across the entire island. This took us up and over a steep mountain and was hard going but we loved it. Another day we did a half day ‘bush tucker’ nature walk!
My aim is to try and encourage more walking on Fraser Island than what is currently available. I realise to walk the entire island is not practical for most travellers but it is possible to be taken to the start of a walk (via 4wd) and be guided (or not) to a destination where one is collected (via 4wd) and taken elsewhere. I envision overnight stops and options of between one and several nights walking trails. How about a cross island walk for instance? Kingfisher to Eurong or Happy Valley? The walks need to take people to places where vehicles can’t go. The adventure of walking is to quietly and very gently explore places away from the trappings of petrol and speed I believe. This is one persons experience walking the Great Walk found online. http://www.gang-gang.net/nomad/greatsandywalk/FIE.htm
Thank you for your comments everyone.
Sue, the oveerseas backpakers I have spoken to say they loved the Southern part of the Great Walk, but they weren’t too enthusiastic about the Northern part for what it is worth?
I like the concept of interesting shorter trails with transport linkages and scattered accomodation (like they have up near the Gibb River). But, it raises big safety issues concerning the ever present dingo problem and the frequent out of control bushfires on Fraser. These and possibly other safety issues would need to be properly addressed before promoting the walking trail idea to the masses as an alternative to self drive tours I feel?
By the way, I saw you on the channel 7 news item about the beach erosion and am still wondering why absolutely nothing has been achieved by Council and numerous former councillors after all this time? I had been told years ago when buried rock walls were flavour of the day (like the VERY successful ones at the Gold Coast) that EPA and government bureaucracy were the ongoing obstacles to getting things moving? With seas reportedly on the rise due to climate change, it seems very unwise not to be aggressively pursueing such a strategy, especially in lower, high population density areas of likely concern! What can residents expect to eventuate in the shorter term please?
Hi Baggins. The dingo problem is not a problem in my opinion. In many other parts of the world people venture into areas where there are animals that can eat us. For example everytime I go snorkelling I could end up as shark snack! A stout walking stick and I would feel absolutely perfectly safe walking accompanied on FI. But I agree that there are issues especially environmental conservation issues that have to be addressed in the development of improved walking opportunities on FI.
Re beach erosion. I honestly believe that the enormous numbers of layers of Legislation that control all our doings along our coastline has been the undoing of Council erosion control plans in the past. Currently Council is developing a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) which will specifically address the issue. Once completed the plan should enable Council to make future decisions about shoreline erosion control in confidence that the State Government will permit (or not) the works.
I personally believe that we should fund an ‘as needed’ sand push maintenance regime. This would mean that in suitable locations sand is simply pushed back up to the dunes after bad weather events. This work would need to be carried out a maximum of once a year in my experience, as for most of the year we don’t experience the damaging winds. Doing this would mean that we can save the trees etc that are slowly but surely undermined. In other areas this method won’t work and I think ‘old fashioned’ rock walls or their modern equivalent are needed. BUT all this costs money and will need to be further investigated and considered by Council. I hope the SEMP will consider these ideas. I’m off to a Coastal Conference at Seaworld for the next 3 days so may have some more news over the coming weekend!
Thanks for the response Sue.
Personally, I don’t believe that it is wise or practical to dismiss the dingo safety factor so lightly as a ‘user beware’ situation. If future legal actions are to be avoided or minimised, surely those responsible for the safety of tourists in the area under their control, must demonstrate that they have adopted a reasonable level of care and responsibility in preventing any future tourist injuries or deaths from starving dingos (or even crocodiles it now seems)? I guess the same arguement would also apply to the frequent 4WD accidents? I would imagine that future claims for damages and compensation in such instances are a distinct possibility in this age of rampant litagation?
Not sure that the idea of large machinery pushing sand around our beaches is such a great solution either … it makes them appear more like an open cut mine-site in my opinion. I prefer the idea of using a barge and pump to regularly move the sand from the worsening, unwanted sandbanks just off shore to the beaches where this sand is needed! Noosa does this well!
Sue
I have heard it is lovely on Fraser Island, but I can’t find out for myself. I am the now confined to a wheelchair – wheelchairs can’t access the Fraser Island catamorans to get to the island and if they could how could you get a wheelchair up the steps from the beach to the path when that vessel arrives at Fraser Island, or to both the rest of the Island and/or the Kingfisher Bay resort. Instead of worrying about walking trails, isn’t it time you and the people concerned with the Island’s tourism potential thought about access ramps for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Wheelchairs can get on the various barges, but cannot get onto dry land when they arrive at the barge set down.
You raise a good point Sheila. Have you been in contact with Kingfisher Resort? I know that whale watching is wheelchair friendly but expect a type of lift would be needed to enable wheelchairs to get from a boat to the jetty at Kingfisher. The resort is located in hilly terrain so that is a challenge also. Otherwise the alternative is to go by vehicle via a barge I expect. Are any 4WD operators offering this service? I will make enquiries.
Quote: “Apparently though, the track is under utilized. Why don’t we develop this track and ensure that walking on Fraser Island becomes a desired way to experience this island?”
Hi Sue,
I did the Fraser Isl. Great Walk and its lateral trail from Inskip Point in September 2007. In my opinion, the trail was not under utilized. Most of the walkers camps are very small and do not host more than two or three hiking parties.
Building bigger camps and therefore allowing bigger, and may be even tour operated groups, would mean turning all the remote places along this Great Walk into another overvisited spots (like Lake McKenzie before the buses leave).
It is a very special hike and I highly appreciated the solitude one could experience. I was always impressed, how few people among the tourists are actually going to hike in the australian bush. For example, there is a fantastic 2/3 day walk just starting at Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Great Walk. I haven’t seen anyone during that trail and the camps seemed not to get a lot of visits.
Now to the 4WD rentals:
At other places, it is not common practise to rent a 4wd for outdoor usage to anyone under 25. We had a very hard time getting a car to drive around in the lower Cape York Peninsula.
No problem on Fraser though, where the terrain to drive on is much more difficult. I have spoken to a lot of people doing the self-drive trip, and all agreed that it seemed weird giving away such a big car, full of people and gear to drivers with no previous off road experience.
Bye
i really think u all need to shut up
I am doing the FI Great Walk in a couple of weeks with my husband. We have walked the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbook so are not complete walking newbies. If
anyone has any advice to make our walk as enjoyable and safe as possible I would be very grateful to recieve it. Thanks
For the best value walking / hiking experience on Fraser Island go to Fraser Dingo Walkabouts – offers all options 4wd / hike – Fly / tour / hike – Lake McKenzie Tribal Trek
http://www.fraserdingo4wdhire.com.au/hiking_