I’ve spent the past week recapping my trip to Fraser Island with Dropbear Adventures. With the possible exception of my skydive (more on that next week), Fraser Island is my favorite part of the east coast of Australia.
A big reason this trip is such a hit is because of the kind folks at Dropbear. As I’ve pointed out a few times this week, they are ranked #1 on Trip Advisor for tours on Fraser Island. I have not been compensated to write this highlights post — I’m doing it because I had such a blast at this remarkable destination and want to wrap it all up in one place.
Side note: I’ll write more about this in my Australian budget breakdown in a few weeks, but most of the companies I’ve toured with have sponsored my trips in exchange for photography. Not blog posts. While they are always very complimentary of my blog, the main reason they offer me a tour is because I provide them with images for promotional use on websites, print brochures, and social media. This allows me to travel for much less (usually free) and build my portfolio. The tour companies can update their photos and better market their brand. It’s win-win. I think it’s important to point out this arrangement so it’s clear that I’m not writing ‘praise posts’ in exchange for free trips… these are my own opinions and separate from the photography deal I’ve arranged with various tour companies. But I do my homework before reaching out to them, since I’m looking for a tour that fits with my travel style. In most cases I end up very much enjoying the trip and happily share the experience here.
This is Mr. Dropbear. And in case you missed it earlier in the week, a dropbear is:
… a fictitious Australian marsupial. Drop bears are commonly said to be unusually large, vicious, carnivorous marsupials related to koalas (although the koala is not a bear) that inhabit treetops and attack their prey by dropping onto their heads from above. They are an example of local lore intended to frighten and confuse outsiders and amuse locals, similar to the jackalope, hoop snake, wild haggis or snipe hunt. [via]
After leaving Noosa, we drove up to Rainbow Beach, pausing to admire cliffs radiating with pink, orange, and red sand:
Tour guide extraordinaire Troy takes to the wheel. We are all welcome to take turns driving throughout the trip.
Check out this video of our drive:
We stop for a refreshing dip in Lake Wabby:
Here are my favorite images from our two nights of camping under the stars:
Troy whips up some tasty dinners:
We are treated to a (literally) stellar show performed with gusto by the night sky:
Champagne Pools & Lunch on Waddy Point
We go for a dip in these colorful pools:
Our lunch on Waddy Point is out of this world — endless sand dunes, blue sky, puffy clouds, and ocean views.
This is our lunch each day (the veggies are always freshly chopped) and I don’t get tired of it.
Ships, Sharks, and Swimming on Fraser Island
We visit the Maheno shipwreck:
And head out to Indian Head to look for sharks…
… here they are:
Lake McKenzie and Wild Aussie Critters
The waters of Lake McKenzie are laced with healing tea tree oil. Perfect place to bathe after two nights of camping.
We tour Central Station, the jungle / rain forest interior of Fraser Island:
Again, many thanks to Dropbear Adventures for a highly memorable trip!
