We started the slow crawl back to the barge pick-up point at around 11:00am. This time, we were able to drive down most of the beachfront as the tide was low. Every point that we encountered us to cross water was carefully inspected, analysed and an ideal crossing point was picked. I didn’t want to risk screwing the car up more before actually getting it off the island.
We had to take the inland road for a while as well, but thankfully the road wasn’t as bad as it was two days prior due to the surface not being rained on for 24 hours. It was still bumpy, but manageable.
Our barge was full this time around. Several other families and two tow trucks carrying off what could only be carcasses or shells of former 4WD vehicles. Some that had come onto the island the same time as us, ventured forth and tried to drive around the island.
Perhaps I should have put more emphasis on ‘tried’. The Tribute, you see, isn’t a true 4WD. It’s an all-wheel drive with a 4WD differential lock for low speeds or moments where your car gets stuck. But on the back of the two tow trucks were true 4WD vehicles.
One of them had a driveshaft that had just completely collapsed and was sitting underneath the 4WD. The other had a smashed-up front and a snapped rear axle. In other words, despite swallowing the bitter pill of disappointment regarding this portion of the trip, I counted myself lucky that I hadn’t actually tried to drive the car around based on what I saw on that barge heading back.
In future, I think I’ll hire someone else’s car should I ever try to drive around Fraser Island again.
Driving back from Inskip Point, the car seemed to handle well enough, but at any point that it wanted to idle, the whole car shook. After about 10 mins of driving, I pulled over to the side of the road and called RACQ. They were sending someone out to us, but while we were waiting, in an effort to avoid the heat of sitting in the car, the Crazy Canadian found some shade and a log to sit on.
A log that eventually gave her some sort of heat rash/allergic reaction to something. We never found out what it was. After 5 minutes of sitting around in the car with the RACQ truck nowhere in sight, I called them back and said I would make my way into town so the Crazy Canadian could get someone to look at her rash.
Rainbow Beach is a small, but very cute town. It consists of one main street, a number of restaurants and a Surf Lifesaving club.
RACQ had organised us a hire car and accommodation for the night, and the Tribute was staying in Rainbow Beach to be fixed.
And there’s a bit of this…
In other words, a large sand blow that has a beautiful view of the ocean on one side, and this on the other…
So, you get it, right? A massive sand blow that has an amazing panoramic view of the ocean on one side and sand meeting a tree line on the other. Of course – as is the case with so many photos – they just don’t do the location justice. So I’ll post some more that might make you go ‘Oooh’ and ‘Fancy’ and possibly say ‘Meatballs’.
You’re probably wondering why they call the place ‘Rainbow Beach’. The board says…
Hopefully, that picture shows that there is – A) Regular sand (What colour does that actually count as, by way of interest? Do we just call it ‘sand’ colour?), B) Orange/ochre sand, C) Black sand (Anyone who comments that black is not a colour, but a shade will cop a serious amount of scorn from behind my monitor) and D) White sand.
At various points of the year, those colours will combine and mix in a variety of patterns and colours along the sand, causing somewhat of a rainbow-like effect.
Also, see that rock jolting outward from the cliff-face there? The Crazy Canadian propped herself up on there and started singing the chorus of ‘Part of Your World’ from ‘The Little Mermaid’. True story. I was there and everything. It was…confusing.
Before heading out to the sand blow, I witnessed one of the most amazing natural events ever.
I saw a bird…
Draw a deep breath, everyone.
..take a shit.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Wow, you saw a bird take a shit. Well, aren’t you just one big pile of sicko nutjob who melts down candy canes and swims in the aftermath?”
No, I’m not.
When I say that I saw a bird take a shit, I mean this bird flew up onto our balcony, walked around a little bit – paused – and then even did that little pre-shit shimmy (or buttcheek clench, whatever you want to call it) that people do.
Once it was done, it looked at the Crazy Canadian and I as if to say, “Yeah, see that? That was me. Ain’t nothin’ you can do about it.
I’m a bird. Fuck you and your rules!” Then it couldn’t even be bothered flying away. It just kind of fell off the balcony into a lazy glide.
The gumption and attitude of this one bird, I tell ya…
Unfortunately, we were unable to stay in Rainbow Beach for the Rainbow Beach Christmas Parade. The owner of the local bakery assured us it wasn’t that big of an event to have marked on our calendars, though.
There was going to be at least four floats! AT LEAST FOUR!
Dinner was had at the Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesavers club. Really good pub fare. It seemed like the whole town was out in force with a range of celebrations taking place. Some were work Christmas functions. Others were birthdays. Some just seemed like family get-togethers. Before being allowed to purchase a meal, we had to sign in as guests on the club register.
My one regret over dinner? Not entering the raffle draw that was held on the night. Three Christmas hams, two Christmas hampers and a year’s supply of toilet paper were all up for grabs!
Next time – Brisbane!
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