Cool Dingo Tour Blog

Antonina and Tahlia's East Coast Adventure - Cool Dingo!

2011-07-07T10:49:00.003+10:00

Antonina and Tahlia are two outgoing gals with a passion for travel and tourism. The gals came up with an idea to independently travel up the East Coast of Australia, exploring and documenting their adventure along the way. July 2011

FRASER ISLAND - DAY 1

On Thursday we went to Fraser Island on a 2 Day Tour with Cool Dingo Tours. We were picked up from our YHA hostel and then taken to the port to catch the ferry across to the famous Fraser Island.

We were met at Fraser Island by our tour guide Craig and the rest of our tour group. We were a small group of 10 young independent travelers.

Craig gave us a run down of what we were going to be seeing and doing for the day and we jumped on our 4X4 bus to make our way to our first stop, the stunning Lake McKenzie.

The roads were steep and bumpy which made the drive so much more fun! Once we arrived, we had morning tea and time to swim in the lake and relax on the beautiful white sands. Lake McKenzie is breathtaking and looks just as it does in postcards!

We then enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch as a group and everyone began to mingle and chat about their travel experiences so far. We had an awesome tour group of friendly people from different parts of the world.

Throughout the day we made many stops. We visited Basin Lake and Wanggoolba Creek and took relaxing walks through sub-tropical rainforests.

It was then time to head down to the Jetty Hut to watch the spectacular sunset.

We then headed back to our resort. Kingfisher Bay Resort provides really nice lodge accommodation. Travellers have the option of quad or double rooms. The resort has fantastic facilities such as a large pool and Jacuzzi!

At 6:30 we met the rest of our group at the Dingo Bar for dinner. Tonight was pizza and pasta night! It was a huge buffet dinner for all to enjoy! The food was delicious! Some people even went for third plates!

At 8:30 Happy hour started and so we all had a few drinks as a group and continued to chat about our travel experiences so far. This brought us to the end of our first day.

FRASER ISLAND - DAY 2

We started our day with a huge buffet breakfast down at the dingo bar before jumping back on our 4X4 bus.

The day was spent checking out several more of the hot spots on Fraser Island such as The Pinnacles of Coloured Sands, The Maheno Shipwreck and The Champagne Pools! We even got to see whales and dolphins at Indian Head!!

It was so exciting but you had to keep your eyes open because they weren’t very easy to spot. Another highlight of the day was seeing some dingoes!

Everyone had been keeping an eye out and finally we came across three of them playing around with each other. They run off so we decided to chase them in the bus. We were able to get lots of photos of them and even a video! They weren’t camera shy at all! (Check out their blog for the awesome pics)

This tour was fantastic and having such a small group allowed us to stop for longer at certain places and we even go to check out some places that weren’t in the itinerary.

We couldn’t have been happier with our tour guide! He made the tour fun and constantly kept us entertained with all his interesting facts about the island. There is so much to see on Fraser Island and Cool Dingo Tours gave us the opportunity to see pretty much all of it. We had an absolute blast and can’t wait to go back again some day!

You can read all about their madcap adventures and their Fraser Island pics and video at http://atadventure.tumblr.com/page/2

Day Three: Purple Cat Fish and Spiders Oh My!!!

2011-06-12T17:05:00.000+10:00

Canadian Mike Wenzlawe continues his adventures with us on stunning Fraser Island - Queensland. 22 May 2011

Today was day 3 of my Cool Dino Tour and it was packed with some of Fraser Islands lesser known treasures, some that have proven to be my favorite so far! I started the day early again 7:00AM; I don’t know why but there is something amazing about Australia that has made me into a morning person, I am now that really annoying person who is overly cheery at 7:00AM and everyone secretly hates.

Anyways we began the tour today by going to Lake Wabby, this place fits the definition of oasis perfectly, beautiful green waters surrounded by sand and jungle. After a short walk through the humid and dense rain forest you emerge into a vast bright clearing of nothing but sand and distant Ocean. We began walking on what is known as the Hammerstone Sandblow, just one of many sandblows that that blaze over Fraser Island and cut through the islands thick forests. Walking over this desert was a truly a mind blowing experience when you think that this massive pile of sand moves and average of 1-3 meters every year and bulldozes everything in its path. It was hard not to imagine I was in the Sahara as I put step after step into the warm golden sand.

After walking around for a bit we came to Lake Wabby, perched, turquoise freshwater lake that is slowly being filled in by the Hammerstone Sandblow. Lake Wabby is very unique for a couple of reasons but the main one would have to be its inhabitants. The lake has 14 different species of fish were most other lakes only have a couple. Probably the most interesting and my favorite of all these fish would be the Purple Catfish, that are more than happy to swim up to you if you have a juicy worm or fly.

There is a lot of argument of when exactly Lake Wabby will be completely under sand but we were told it would definitely be within this century. With that in mind it feels incredible to know that you are viewing and experiencing something that has a limited life span, something that will eventually only be seen in pictures; this in my mind is a treasure.

After the refreshing dip and a small trek back to the bus we headed to Eurong Beach Resort for lunch. Following the very tasty meal we were all back on the bus and heading to our next destination, Lake Birrabeen. Once arriving at Birrabeen, a lake notorious for being equally if not more beautiful than Lake McKenzie, we were able to lay back and relax on the soft sand. We unfortunately didn’t get to spend as much time as we wanted there because it started to rain, and just when the turtle sand-sculpture contest was heating up! Its not all bad though because sprinting back to the bus from the beach as the warm rain fell all around me was a very cool experience, one I will not soon forget.

The night was spent reminiscing about all the amazing experiences we had and exchanging information as we waited for our ferry to take us off Fraser Island and drop us off in Hervey Bay. The rest of the night was very low key as everyone had a full day and had very early travel arrangements the next day. My early arrangements being a beautiful sailing boat named Summertime!

In my mind Fraser Island is a must stop if you come to Australia. It has beautiful beaches, stunning lakes, unique flora and fauna, and a topography that will make your jaw drop. I want to quickly thank Cool Dingo Tours for giving me a life changing and unforgettable experience. I hope you all enjoyed hearing about my Fraser Island adventure as much as I did having it!

To follow Mike's adventures on Fraser Island and the rest of Queensland visit his blog: http://mikesaussieadventure.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/day-three-purple-cat-fish-and-spiders-oh-my/

Ground Control To Major Tom - Mikes Aussie Adventure - Day 2 Cool Dingo

2011-05-25T10:46:00.006+10:00

Canadian Mike Wenzlawe continues his adventures with us on stunning Fraser Island - Queensland. 21 May 2011

Hello Beautiful People!

I am absolutely loving Australia so far, it is such a astonishing place that is so different than anything else.

The people are fantastic, extremely kind and have the coolest accents that are beginning to rub off on me. I find that as each day passes I start sounding more and more Aussie…Kind of…not really.

Well without further a due, lets jump into what I did on day two!

Day Two: Almost too much adventure for one day

I had an early start on the day today and was on the bus by 8:00 AM. We were told it is because of the amount of activities and stops we were going to do that day, I soon found out this was an understatement. After a bumpy 45-minute drive through the sand-trail roads of Fraser Island we reached the vast and soft sand of the beach, the Seventy-Five Mile Beach to be exact.

The drive on this beach highway was incredible; the bus was so close to the ocean edge I could see every bright blue wave crash into the sandy shore right in front of me.

First stop of the day was one of my favourite places on the tour, they are called The Champagne Pools and are a photo opportunity to say the least. The Champagne Pools get their name from the bubbly white wash that trickles into the rock cove as the ocean waves pound into the rock. After having a swim and float in these pools we were back on the bus to make our way to Indian Head.

The historical landmark was said to be a place where pioneers sailing around the coast spotted Aboriginal inhabitants. Needless to say this rocky headland birthed spectacular endless views of the coastline. It was also said to be common for people to spot sharks, dolphins, turtles and even humpback whales from this vantage point, unfortunately I was not so lucky this time.

After a short drive along the beach we stopped next to a small 7-passenger plane with the words Air Fraser Island along the side. The pilot, named Tom stepped on the bus and began asking who would like to take an areal tour of Fraser Island. As I boarded the plane, camera in hand I felt a rush of anticipation and excitement rush over me. Tom wasted no time and before I knew it I was speeding down the beach and taking off into the stunning blue sky! We toured the island from a birds-eye view; flying over all of the wonderful places I had stopped giving me an unforgettable perspective of the island below.

Tom made the ride very exciting by explaining different facts about the island, pointing out landmarks and of course doing gut wrenching aerial manoeuvres. About 15 minutes later we started coming down to land, after overtaking a bus that was racing closer and closer to our runway we softly touched down on the beach we had taken off from. This was a truly amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone touring Fraser Island!

Next stop on the list was the Maheno Shipwreck, a large vessel that is shrouded in a vast history. This ship was washed on shore by a cyclone in 1935 while it was being transported to Japan to be retired; now the beast lay dormant on the ocean shore. Just a hop, skip and a jump away we arrived at the last stop on our tour, Eli Creek.

Another one of my favourite stops, Eli Creek showcases Fraser Island's vast topography and water systems. Eli Creek is a vein of fresh water that snakes from the inland to the salty ocean. The wonderful thing about the creek is that you can walk up it via a wooden catwalk or you can throw on your swim suit and walk up in the creek itself (my choice).

The experience while walking through the stream was simply magical with the overhanging trees and bathtub temperature water. The coolest thing about the creek though is once you get to the end (about 500 meters) you sit down and float back down to the mouth of the creek while taking in the beauty of the forest around you. I did this a few times and then it was time to go back to the resort.

Luckily we got back to the resort in time to grab a seat on the beach and watch a beautiful sunset. Once back I showered and got ready for dinner at the Dingo Bar. Tonight I was extremely happy because it was pizza and pasta night! After dinner the group and I sat down for a couple of beers and games. Everyone was beyond tired from the day so after a little dancing and drinking I went back to my room to write a post for you guys! Tomorrow is my last day on Fraser Island and I am already excited for what we will be doing, I’ll give you a hint, it has to do with a lot of sand and I have my first wildlife encounter!

Well everyone I wish you were all here and look out for my next post coming soon!!! To follow Mike's adventures on Fraser Island and the rest of Queensland visit his blog: http://mikesaussieadventure.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/ground-control-to-major-tom/

Mikes Aussie Adventure Kicks Off With A Cool Dingo Tour (Here's Day 1)

2011-05-25T10:35:00.009+10:00

Canadian Mike Wenzlawe (on the right of the picture) won a comp run by Tourism Australia and is currently blogging his way through Queensland. We're chuffed he opted to kick off his Aussie trip with some Fraser Island time on our Cool Dingo Tour. 20 May 2011 Read all about it...

I know you all have been patiently waiting for this post, and I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get it up.

It has been nearly impossible to find down time with all of the unique and unforgettable things I have been doing, things I hope you are all excited to read about!

So because there have been a couple days since my last post I thought I would make this a mega-post including everything I have done so far!

The Travel Day: Just Massive

One word to describe this day…Mammoth! It was so unbelievably long, that I found my days blending together as I hopped from place to place. From the time I left Calgary International airport till I arrived at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island I had spent around 22 hours in the air, about 15 hours waiting for transportation and ended up taking 4 planes, 3 busses and 1 boat to get to my destination…but it has all been more than worth it! I thought that I would have been more exhausted or jet lagged but to be honest I feel amazing!

Once I got to Hervey Bay I was picked up by a shuttle that took me to the Fraser Island ferry, once there I got on the ferry and began the last leg of my trip to the Cool Dingo Wilderness Lodges that are located in the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island.

I was met by Duty Manager Simon, who took me up to the lodge to get me checked in. After arriving at my accommodation, a beautiful eco-lodge that is best described as simple and homely, while retaining a wilderness feel as it is nestled deep in vegetation. Simon then lead me to my room, where I was pleasantly surprised to find that this 3 person accommodation was completely mine! This was honestly the coolest thing ever, and the perfect start to my adventure!

VIP Treatment - Day One: There Ain’t no tour like a Cool Dingo Tour

The day started surprisingly early, I thought I would for sure be dead from jet leg but I awoke with the warm soft glow of the sun trickling through my window at 6:30 AM.

After getting ready my hostel mates (The Norwegian Girls) and I went down to the “Dingo Bar” where a very large buffet breakfast was waiting for us. After devouring breakfast we headed down to the “Jetty Hut” (where ferries load and unload their cargo) to wait for the remaining 12 members of the travel group to come in on the ferry.

Soon we were introduced to each other and to our Cool Dingo Ranger Guide, Hayden (see pic above - he's the one in khaki LOL). At 9:30 we all got on a huge 4WD vehicle and were off on our adventure for the day! I soon found out that the reason why we needed such a heavy-duty bus to travel in is because the only paved roads on Fraser Island are the ones at the Kingfisher Bay Resort, the rest are deep sand roads that could swallow up almost any other vehicle.

Our guide was unbelievable, from the moment we left he was on the mic telling us jokes, stories, facts about the island and even played a song “were all going to die someday” as we flew down a nearly vertical, bumpy sand hill that the rangers refer to as the “Rollercoaster.”

Lake McKenzie: First stop on the list was Lake McKenzie, this beach had sand so white it put photo shopped postcards to shame. The water was equally as beautiful and inviting, shimmering a crystal clear turquoise and deep blue color. We spent a couple unforgettable hours here lying on the beach, playing in the water and grabbing lunch. After a short ride and walk we came across Basin Lake, another gorgeous example of perched sand lakes (Lakes that are above sea level and surrounded by sand) and how Fraser Island holds many hidden treasures.

The most fascinating thing about these lakes is how they’re made. Fraser Island is entirely made up of sand (about 123km long and 22km wide) it is able to collect and store a large amount of fresh water in these lakes. Another thing that blows my mind is, even though Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world it is also home to the world’s only tropical rainforest that grows on a sand island (Cool Dingo Editor's note: this is at elevations of 200m).

Rainforest: The following part of the tour showed off locations like Central Station, which was an old lumber harvesting site used by pioneers. Then there was Wanggoolba Creek, a rainforest that can only be described and marvellously beautiful and holds trees as tall as mythical giants! The last stop was Pile Valley, a truly magical place full of satinay and pure white eucalyptus trees.

The bumpy drive back to the Cool Dingo lodges gave me lots of time to think about all the things I had just done and seen, the tour blew my expectations out of the water.

The night proved to be just as fulfilling as the day, after stuffing my face again at the Dingo Bar a bunch of the people in my tour group came back to the lodge for a couple of beers and fun. Shortly after we headed back down to the Dingo Bar, which had music pumping and lights flashing. This was a great opportunity for the group to cut back and party before the long day of activities tomorrow.

Day one is done, See you all tomorrow!

To follow Mike's adventures on Fraser Island and the rest of Queensland visit his blog: http://mikesaussieadventure.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/ground-control-to-major-tom/

Cool Dingo, Cool Tour on Fraser!

2011-01-14T15:11:00.005+10:00

Erin from STA TRAVEL experienced a Cool Dingo tour recently... here's what she had to say... (Jan 2010)

For a hassle free, budget friendly trip to Fraser Island, book yourself on a Cool Dingo Tour! With the option of 2 or 3 day packages, this is a great way to see all the beautiful natural highlights Fraser Island has to offer, without struggling with tents, food supplies and 4WD's getting stuck in the sand!

Your trip starts with a complimentary pick up from your Hervey Bay accommodation (or the bus up from Brisbane can be organised), and the transfer across to Fraser Island on the Kingfisher Bay Resort Ferry. Make sure you have a day pack with the essentials like swimmers, mosquito repellent and a water bottle at the ready, as you main bags will be transferred to your accommodation.

Jumping on-board your 4x4 air-conditioned bus, you take the roller coaster ride out of the resort area (hold onto your hats, its quiet a ride!) and your off to check out the Basin Lakes, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek and the most photographed spot on the Island, the beautiful Lake McKenzie. Silica White sand (perfect for jewellery cleaning), crystal clear blue water and the
option for some turtle spotting, what more could you want! Ray, our ranger had a wealth of knowledge on Fraser Island, which he was more than happy to share.

In the following days, you'll have the chance to explore the other wonders the world's largest sand island has to offer. From 75 Mile Beach, Eli Creek, the wreck of the Maheno (pictured), Indian Head and Lake Wabby, you can see why Fraser Island is World Heritage listed. And don't
forget to keep your eyes peeled for dingos!

Returning to your accommodation late in the afternoon each day, you'll have access to all the Kingfisher Bay Resort facilities. Sore muscles after a day of 4WD-ing? Relax in the heated jacuzzi! Want a few quiet beers back in your lodge? Stop off at the Resort Shop. There is even a
complimentary shuttle bus from the heart of the resort up to the Wilderness Lodge.

Up in the Wilderness Lodge you have the option of a dorm or double room accommodation in a four room lodge. Clean and very comfortable, each lodge has its own kitchen, two bathrooms and balcony overlooking the tree tops. Shared laundry facilities are also on-site.

You can't possibly go hungry on this tour! Breakfast and dinner is buffet-style served in the Dingo Bar, so you can start the day with a plate of bacon and eggs or a bowl of cereal, while dinner will have a theme, and I rate Mexican night!) Lunch out on the road could be like
chicken salad wraps or buffet at the Eurong Beach Resort.

All dietary requirements can be catered to, just make a note when you’re booking. Even the weather wasn't enough to put us off the great time we had on this trip. While it was raining and overcast, we still swam at every stop possible, and it just made me more grateful that I was heading back to a warm, cosy bed when we met some of the travellers doing camping tours.

Thanks again to the Cool Dingo team for a brilliant time across on the beautiful Fraser Island.

Cool Dingo Tours: Brooke's Fraser Island Adventures

2010-09-30T12:42:00.017+10:00

Why Go Australia's Blogger, Brooke, discovers Fraser Island with a Cool Dingo Two Day Tour. Brooke's story was posted on Australiablog.com September 2010.

From the time I arrived in my hostel in Sydney back in early 2009, I had heard, read and seen things about Cool Dingo Tours, so it was a big treat to be able to partake in one of their amazing tours on the great Cairns to Sydney road trip.

Cool Dingo is a Fraser Island tour company that is targeted to the younger traveller, specifically those aged 18-35. They provide 2 and 3 day fully-guided and fully-provided-for bus tours that are lead by an island guru.

What does that mean? It means that all transportation, food and accommodation is provided for as long as you are in their company. It that's not enough to say, "Where do I sign up?" then keep on reading for the summary of my 2 day tour.

DAY 1
Heather and I were picked up from the hostel in Hervey Bay at 0745 (there are also pick ups from Brisbane) and chartered to the mainland reception area to check-in. After that, we were dropped at the ferry to enjoy the 45 minute ride to the island. Upon arrival, we were met by our amazing tour guide, Dave, who on his one would be reason enough to visit Fraser.

We were acquainted with our 4WD bus that had a rather large supply of fresh fruit and muesli bars to snack on any time we wished. Dave made his introductions, letting us know that he had been in the business of giving tours here for over 20 years.

Basin Lake: We made a short hike to Basin Lake, the first stop on our day's itinerary and just one of the island's gorgeous hangouts. Basin Lake is not very big; it only takes about 10 minutes or so to walk around it. During the walk, I saw fresh dingo tracks on the beach, as well as some carnivorous red plants. These plants basically sit low to the ground and are covered in a sticky substance that actually makes them look like they've been rained on.

If you look hard enough, you may even see some fun little turtles in Basin Lake. I think I was more concerned/excited about the idea of seeing a dingo to even give the turtles a second thought. Sorry guys.

Central Station; Wanggoolba Creek; Pile Valley: The middle of the day involved some light hiking through the rainforest areas of Fraser Island. Our tour guide would meet us at various points along the way, while we were left on our own to follow the paths to the next.

The idea that this dense forest could grow on an island of sand is amazing, but I guess we weren't the first people to think of that. Years ago, people would experiment with planting different trees and plant-life to see what could actually grown on the island, the remnants of which can be see today in clusters of random tree species.

One plant that was not part of these experiments is the king fern, which is very rare and grows around Wanggoolba Creek. It is considered so special that they actually built wooden walkways to keep people from trampling on them. I must say that these ferns chose a lovely place as their home; the crystal clears waters of the creek.

The hiking that we did during this time was actually quite easy and peaceful (and shaded from the sun). Just keep in mind that it is best not to get off the paths here or do anything stupid, like stick your hand in random holes in the ground - as the island does have its fair share of snakes and spiders on location.

Buffet Lunch: Food on a Cool Dingo Tour is always served in buffet form, meaning you can eat as much as you want (hear that hungry backpackers). Our first lunch was served at the picnic area near Lake McKenzie (see above pic) and featured salads, lunch meats, chicken legs, cookies, coffee, juice and tea.

A rather large goanna decided to join the party as he sought the warm sunshine near our picnic. Even though he wasn't there to start anything, his presence alone was startling to most of us since he was just so large and lurking about under the tables. The goanna is just one of the many interesting creatures on Fraser Island, as your guide will explain.

Lunch lasts as long as everyone wants it to, and it's a great time to chat with the other members of the group if you haven't met them all yet. After we were stuffed and settled, we got ourselves ready for the big stop of the day: Lake McKenzie.

We made it a perfect time to visit Lake McKenzie as we practically had the ENTIRE beach to ourselves for the afternoon until the other tour groups arrived. I was happy to see that the stories of crystal clear waters and white sands were all true. This happens because metres of sand acts as a filtering system letting only the clean water to the surface. It's one of the reasons that Lake McKenzie is a favourite place of many that visit Australia.

We had just the right amount of time to lounge on the beach, go for a stroll and splash in the water before the shade started passing above us. Since we were there in winter, a lack of sun meant the temperature got quite chilly. However, the day time activities were at just the right level, and I'm almost happy that we didn't make it in the middle of summer.

The Dingo Bar: A gigantic buffet dinner is served at The Dingo Bar in the evening, which is where many of the different tour groups meet up. There's a hot food bar and a cold food (salad and fruit) bar, so there should be something to suit your appetite. Did I mention it is all pretty good?

After dinner, most people like to hang out and get some drinks, play pool and foosball or get jiggy on the dance floor. That's right! The Dingo Bar turns into a night club in the evening so you can have some fun with those on your tour, as well as others. The club is pretty sweet and you can feel free to leave your mark on the walls.

The club closed down at midnight, but since we had another early day coming up, no one was really complaining. After such a long day, bed was definitely calling my name!

The Wilderness Lodge at Kingfisher Bay Resort: I was rather impressed by the quality of accommodation provided to us at the Wilderness Lodge. It was pretty much like a nice hostel with around 4 rooms in each lodge, a large kitchen and comfy beds.

The options for the tour is to either stay in the double room or a quad room. The double rooms have one double bed and one single bed; whilst the quad rooms have two sets of bunk beds. The double rooms, of course, cost a few dollars more. The rooms even have a heater as it will get quite cold in the winter months on Fraser.

Another perk is the access to the reception area of Kingfisher Bay Resort. Here there is a pool, spa, internet access and more to keep you busy if the rest of your itinerary just isn't enough for you.

And so concludes my adventures on Day 1. If you're interested in booking a Cool Dingo Tour - visit their official website - http://www.cooldingotour.com/.

DAY 2
Day two of my Cool Dingo Tour started early and was packed full of some spectacular stops as we ventured up and down 75-Mile Beach.

Buffet Brekky: Breakfast was around 0730 at The Dingo Bar. Eggs, bacon, toast, cereal and fruit are on the menu, and like all the meals, you can eat as much as you want. I went for the coffee... lots of it. I knew we had a big day ahead of us, so I wasn't going to waste it being tired.

Eli Creek: Our first stop of the day was at the pristine Eli Creek, a place that gives you both a beach view and a creek experience in one. The water was a bit chilly for an early morning dip, but it is a definitely possibility if you are brave enough.

Eli Creek is known as the east coast's largest creek, and it pours litre upon litre of fresh water into the ocean. It's a great stop-off for swimming and having lunch, and there are even toilet facilities in the area. Besides that, the serene beauty of the creek makes it a favourite to many visiting Fraser Island.

Maheno Shipwreck: The remnants of a ship sit on the Fraser Island beach, slowly rotting and rusting, but adding an extra bit of character to make it so cool. It was brought to shore because of a cyclone in 1935 and it's an excellent photo stop on the tour. Up close you can see the barnacles that have taken over. Be careful though - as it is rusty metal. I'd recommend keeping a safe distance unless you've had a recent tetanus shot (plus there are signs from Qld Parks and Wildlife asking people to keep clear).

The Pinnacles Coloured Sands: The Pinnacles are like a painting. These sand cliffs and walls feature mainly the red, orange, yellow and white sands - striped and shaped from the blowing of the wind. It is a clear example of the natural forces that helped to shape Fraser Island itself.

Champagne Pools: The Champagne Pools are great because they give you the ability to sit in the sun-warmed pools that are protected from sharks and other unknowns of the ocean. A rocky wall helps to produce the pools, and they are also home to crabs and other interesting creatures if you take a look around. If lounging in the water isn't your thing, it is also fantastic to just sleep on the beach. Just remember to wear some foot protection when near the pools as the rocks are very, very sharp and slick.

Indian Head: The time spent atop of Indian Head was definitely my favourite part of the entire Fraser Island adventure. Already cool enough on its own, for the 45 minutes or so we spent at this location, Fraser Island turned into an episode of National Geographic. While gazing out over the ocean, we saw pods of humpback whales making a commotion, several groups of dolphins cruising about, sea turtles, sharks and sting rays doing somersaults. I almost had to pinch myself to believe it was all happening at the same time. The only thing that could really get us all to come down was the fact that lunch awaited us.

OUr buffet lunch was set on the beautiful beach right next to Indian Head. It featured pre-made containers of salad, fruit, veggies and chicken which we could eat as is or choose to make up a nice wrap. We washed it all down with some juice, tea and coffee and there was definitely an endless supply of cookies and muffins for dessert.

We had a bit of time to spare, so Ranger Dave took us to one of his favourite spots on the island - Kirrar Sandblow. It was a giant sand dune with areas of pure white, and others that were striped with yellows and reds.

Being there felt like we were walking on another planet. I chose to perch myself on top of a high dune while some of the more energetic members of the tour group decided to climb all the way up another (that was pure, loose sand) just to run down it. Some just ended up tumbling a bit in the process. I kind of think I had a win in that situation.

From the tops of the dunes, you can get a view of the ocean nearby. It's a peaceful setting, but not unlike that of every other place on Fraser Island.

Much of the day's activities involved using the Seventy-Five Mile Beach highway to get there. It is a place where we ran into dingos and saw plenty of fisherman hoping to get a giant catch.

Dinner and Goodbyes: Back at the Dingo Bar we indulged in our last buffet meal of the two-day Cool Dingo adventure. It was a good time to hang out with our tour group one last time and even have a nice chat with Ranger Dave. We were shuttled to the ferry and finally taken back to our accommodation in Hervey Bay.

The adventure was over. To book a Cool Dingo Tour visit their website - http://www.cooldingotour.com/.

To read more of Brooke's blogs and check out the photos visit www.australiablog.com/places-to-go/cool-dingo-tours-fraser-island-1.html.

Fraser Island: A Hidden Paradise... With Cool Dingo Tours

2010-09-07T13:20:00.008+10:00

Lauren Looft writes about her experiences with Ranger Peter Meyer on a Cool Dingo Tour of Fraser Island. Excerpt taken from letstravelradio.com. Posted 6 September 2010.

The Outback, The Opera House and Bondi Beach: All iconic images associated with Australia. And although they are fabulous sights to be seen, after studing aboard in Australia for four months I've come to realise that there's more to Australia than what we may think.

One of my most memorable excursions was to Fraser Island, an island found along the southern coast of Queensland. Most notably, it is the largest sand island in the world, and the only place where an ancient yet thriving rainforest can be found growing on sand dunes at elevations of over 200m.

Getting around the island is difficult - four-wheel-drive vehicles are the primary means of transportation to navigate the sandy dunes, but the harsh trails are a piece of cake for the expert tour guides. We signed up for a http://www.cooldingotour.com/ where our guide Peter kept us on the edge of our seats as he literally twisted aroudn the tall trees and dangerous dunes.

After an exciting four-wheel-drive adventure, we walked through the forest to reach Basin Lake - an eight metre black water perched lake. The water was so warm and perfect for a quick dip, before taking off on a 2.5 hour nature walk. Another area of interest is Central Station - which used to be the island's centre of forestry operations in the 1960s.

After hiking in the rainforest for most of the day, our next stop was Lake McKenzie. Also a perched lake, Lake McKenzie is situated atop a sand dune 100 metres above sea level. The lake was absolutely picturesque, something from a travel brochure. Crystal-clear waters, with pure white sand. The sand is so fine that travellers can use it to clean jewellery with.

We spent the night in a shockingly nice hostel. The lodges were cute and clean and spacious. Only a few minutes away is a lookout point that is perfect to watch the sun set. Dinner was served at the Dingo Bar, where entertainment was provided afterwards; or you could spend a quiet night with friends having a few drinks and playing pool.

The next day we found ourselves taking a drive along what is known at 75-Mile Beach, an endless stretch of crashing waves and the occasional brave fisherman standing in the surf. Our guide took us to the Maheno Shipwreck - a ship that crashed on Fraser Island during a cyclone (see above pic). At this point tourists were offered the chance to take a plane ride that takes off from the beach, flying above the island for approximately 15 minutes, allowing visitors the chance to see sights not easily reachable from the ground. The most impressive was Butterfly Lake - a lake in the shape of a butterfly.

The most stunning place on Fraser Island is the Champagne Pools which are natural rock formations in the ocean that create a sort of lagoon on the coast. With the rocks protecting us from the many breeds of sharks swimming along the coast of Fraser Island, we could still experience the feelign of being in the ocean and enjoy the moment when waves crashed over the rocks, spilling in to the pools.

Next we climbed to Indian Head rock - a rock supposedly named by Captain James Cook when he sailed to Fraser Island in 1770 and saw the native aboriginals watching his ships approach. The rock, which juts out over the ocean, allows for an excellent view of marine life below. Shadows of sharks are easily discernible from above. I was content to just sit and appreciate the power of the ocean.

As we made our way to our final destination, we came across a wild dingo roaming along the beach. Our guide stopped the bus and allowed us to crowd around outside and observe. The dingo came surprisingly close to us, probably used to the presence of tourists on the beach.

After taking some pictures, we boarded the bus and drove to Eli Creek, a continuously flowing fresh-water creek that opens into the ocean. We walked to the top and ended our trip with a beautiful and relaxing float down the creek.

Getting to Fraser Island is simple - with several flights leaving Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane each day. After arriving at Hervey Bay, take a ferry ride to Fraser Island, and enjoy a part of Australia that few know about.

For more information on Fraser Island and possible tours visit: http://www.fraserisland.net/.

Cool Dingo - A Best Adventure Experience On Fraser Island

2010-06-18T17:55:00.003+10:00

The Best Job In The World's George Karellas and Magali Heuberger experience Fraser Island the Cool Dingo Way. Queenslandholidays.com blog posted June 2010.

We bounced out of Kingfisher Bay Resort in the morning, as fresh as daisies, and caught a shuttle bus for breakfast at the Cool Dingo Bar just over the hill. This was going to be our first day on a group tour and it was exciting. The tour was run by Cool Dingo Tours and with 26 other travellers in the group we knew it would be a sure fire way to meet travellers from across the planet. Once we'd finished breakfast we made our way to a small car park across the road where a bus that could've come straight from the Paris-Dakar rally awaited.

For the Adventurer
Once across the island, we headed north along 75-Mile Beach and our first stop was the shipwreck Maheno. The Maheno, a luxury passenger liner that also served as a hospital ship, was built with three propellers, a first in 1904. When sold for scrap metal in 1935 the props were stripped off to fund the Maheno's final journey. As she was being towed towards Japan the convoy ran into a cyclone and the tow lines were severed. The rest is history. I should have been a sailor. I could standing front of the Maheno for hours daydreaming of bygone days when it was manned by gutsy masters who sailed by the stars and their wits, real men as broad as they were tall... Ok, enough of that, you'll get a great photo here.

Further along the beach Eli Creek is one of the many fresh water springs that emerge from the island and wind their way to the sea. You can stroll inland along a boardwalk that comes to an end where a small stair drops you into the water. As you wade back towards the beach in the cool water, small fish dart away from your feet and you feel like an explorer.

Back on the bus we were hijacked by the fly boys from Air Fraser. The beach isn't just a highway it's a runway too! The flight they offer is ridiculously cheap, but even if it wasn't I'd say do it. Taking off from the sand is exhilarating and the views of the aquatic life in the ocean and of the inland lakes will stay with you forever. You'll see later how the views from Fraser get better the higher you go.

For the Nature Lover
Something that really got my hair standing on end was getting up close and personal with a Dingo. They slink towards you with a bold look about them but don't be fooled by their cute dog like ways, this is a wild animal; keep your distance even if the Dingo has other ideas. No feeding the wildlife!

A highlight of the tour was the short trek up Indian Head to spot aquatic life from on high. We didn't see a lot in the end but that's the luck of the draw and the view of the island in either direction is more than worth the walk.

For the Beach Bum
Our favourite part of the beach tour was Champagne Pools. It's the only place on Fraser that you can swim in the Pacific. Volcanic rocks jut out into the ocean towards the north of the island and forms two large natural pools that fill with salt water and fish, as waves break up and over their eastern flanks. We took a swim and then basked in the sun on the rocks before Damian, our driver, called us to lunch.

For the Foodie
Ok so call us snobby, but we were surprised at the quality of the food offered by Cool Dingo Tours. Meals and snacks are provided during the day and there's a box of fruit and snack bars at the front of the bus that you can dig into whenever you like.

Damian even ventured off to pick us some bush tucker berries he had spotted on the way to Champagne Pools while we tucked into our fresh Caesar Salad and tortilla wraps.

That night, back at the Cool Dingo Bar, it was Asian night. There was a choice of three or four mains as well as a salads and desserts counter. "You must be hungry," said one of my fellow travellers as I arrived at the table with a mountain of beef stir fry stacked on my plate. It was a small plate so the food only looked big. I promised myself I'd be good when I got back to the real world.

Sleeping Arrangements
Cool Dingos' wilderness lodges reminded me of the Aussie-designed dorms in my old school back in Ireland. Airy buildings, again on stilts (it keeps the building cool don't you know), each with four or five rooms and the choice of double bed sharing or dorm style bunks. It's backpacker orientated but this is some pretty special wilderness backpacker bedding.

To check out George and Magali's video visit - http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/fraser-coast/experiences/best-adventure-experience/best-adventure-experience_home.cfm

Fraser Island’s Cool Dingo Named ‘Best Tour in Queensland’

2009-11-08T20:04:00.001+10:00

Independent backpackers and travellers have voted Fraser Island’s World Heritage Cool Dingo Tour as the ‘Best Tour Activity in Queensland’ for the second year running.

The 2008 TNT Golden Backpack awards are the only awards program for the independent travel sector and, according to TNT Magazine, were designed to reward those operators who work hardest to make backpacking around Australia and New Zealand that extra bit special.

Cool Dingo Tours scooped top honours in its State category, after a national campaign saw backpackers and independent travellers cast more than 11,000 votes, in more than 30 categories, for their favourite hostel, tour and backpacker night in every State and Territory in Australia and across the Tasman.

Cool Dingo Adventure

2009-06-12T23:09:00.007+10:00

Fraser Island’s iconic Cool Dingo guided tour takes the hard work out of managing tides,traffic and navigation on the world’s largest sand island, and puts the fun back in toadventure touring.

World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is well known for beautiful, fresh-water lakes,untouched sand dunes, ancient rainforests and the spectacular 75-mile ocean beach, whichcomes complete with a shipwreck – all of which are discovered, along with local legends and insider knowledge on a Cool Dingo tour.

These popular two and three-day guided tours for 18 to 35-year-olds, were named BestExperience in Queensland for 2008 by some of the toughest travellers on the island’s sandtracks – international and domestic backpackers.

Tours depart regularly from Hervey Bay or Brisbane and take in Fraser Island’s top beauty spots including stunning Lake McKenzie and Indian Head. Travellers can also grab their pack and fly from Sydney with Virgin or Jetstar (with connections from Melbourne and Adelaide).