Imechapishwa: 24.12.2017
On the way down the 'Sunshine Coast' and the 'Sandy Region' through Queensland, we repeatedly visit beautiful islands right in front of Australia.
But before we landed on one of the most famous islands in Australia, we spent a night on a wonderful campsite - surrounded by kangaroos all the time. Since it was also a sanctuary for injured or orphaned kangaroos, they were anything but shy. We learned some pretty interesting things from the caretaker: kangaroos don't get sick, don't sweat, and kangaroo mothers can "pause" their pregnancies for up to 6 months while nursing an 8-month-old and a 1-month-old kangaroo baby on two different teats with different milk. Fascinating, isn't it?
After this great experience with kangaroos and breakfast with possums, we continued on to one of the largest sand islands in Australia - Fraser Island: just sand, stuck to 3 volcanic craters, overgrown with a rainforest and trees that don't grow anywhere else in the world and survive only on a 50 cm layer of "soil".
Off-road through the most extreme deep and soft sand, and 120km on the Fraser Highway at over 80 km/h along the beach.
Past old, rusty and sunken wrecks.
Swimming in the Champagne Pools, where the surf constantly brings in new bubbling saltwater.
Swimming in huge freshwater lakes, 100m above sea level in the middle of the island.
Drifting down small freshwater rivers that originate on the island.
Accompanied by iguanas, snakes, and dingoes (which we unfortunately never got to see ourselves....) on the sand & sharks, stingrays in the sea.
Next stop: passing Rainbow Beach and heading to 'Noosa, Noosaville, Noosa Heads'. The cult place that was probably full of hippies in the 60s, who now live in villas with river/beach access, three jet skis, and a boat like in Miami :D ... beautiful place <3.
Chilling in the Fairy Pools, which can only be climbed at low tide and are full of small fish, while enjoying a wonderful view of dozing koalas in the trees.
It was great :)
PS: Saw the first wild koalas and the first huntsman spider (the size of a dinner plate)!