Lake McKenzie

This had to be the most restful sleep we've had on this trip so far. Awesome accommodations at the Sailfish on Fraser Island, in beautiful Happy Valley. We're told the owner makes a mean meat pie. We have a brief breakfast and hop back on the bus, which could easily be mistaken for a garbage truck if not for the branding. We're headed to Lake McKenzie today, probably the most visited attraction on the island. In aboriginal, the lake is known as boorangoora, meaning "healing waters." Maybe this is the cure for our jet lag...

First, we go for a stroll in the rainforest. There's a pristine creek, Wanggoolba Creek, that's so clear it looks like there's not even water in it, just a sandy bed. It's clean enough to drink, a challenge which Chris openly accepts. There are king ferns, fanned palms, and strangler figs which give the forest that jungle look. Our guide tells us about the "George of the Jungle" vines and how the rainforest is technically referred to as a vine forest. Chris' eyes light up and he immediately sources a good vine to climb.



The lake is lovely. Three shades of clearly defined blue, and only 30 meters at its deepest. Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating and only the brave jump into the water. The sand is so fine and white is resembles sugar.















Back on the bus, across the ferry - which we're told costs $100 to cross - and we're driving on the coastal highway (the beach) down Rainbow Beach. We stop for a snack and admire the sand cliffs, which have over 70 shades of red, orange and yellow. Children are dune boarding on the cliffs, and jeeps race across the sand. Did Chris mention how exciting/terrifying this is? The cars cruise by at 50mph, driving right next to the waves in the wet sand, where it's packed hard, dodging rogue waves and splashing across fresh water creeks that spill into the ocean. I can't get enough of it, honestly.