Fraser next weekend for a week!

[57one Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 57one]

As you can imagine I am super excited about our trip to Fraser next weekend. Just thought I would check in here for any advise, tips, tricks, things to look out for (awesome fishing spots??) or things to take with us to make the trip even better. I have read through pretty much all the Fraser trip reports, and I think I'm pretty well across all the basics. It will be my wife and 2 kids (2 & 7) in out car, plus 10 others in three 4wd's.

We have a 150 with recovery points, maxtrax x 2 sets, snatch straps, tyre deflator and compressor, 50mm lift, BFG AT's, ARB bash plates, snorkel and 3 other 4wd's coming with us (navara, bt50, feroza), one with a winch. None of the people attending have been to Fraser before, and we also don't have any digital map system. Does this seem like it would be an issue, or could we find our way around pretty easy with a paper map? We are staying in a house at Orchid Beach so no camping on this occasion, so no lugging camping gear with us.

Also very keen to visit the Cape, and have seen a video in the last week of a cruiser rolling at Ngkala Rocks over Easter. As long as driving sensibly, does anyone think this will be too much trouble? Everyone attending has done a bit of Beach driving before and understand having correct tyre pressure and maintaining momentum. High tide and 2 hours either side of it are a no go to the cape obviously?

Like I said at the start, anything else that you think I should know about, or if anyone who has been over recently and can speak to the conditions over there, I'm keen to hear!

Thanks for your time!

[chox Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chox]

Sounds like you are all over it. Ngkala should be no problem with the right pressures and no trailers (make sure the maxtrax are easily accessible just in case). Paper maps are more than adequate as long as you know where you are - plenty of signage and landmarks for regular nav checks to confirm that.
Other places to include are the various lakes (Mckenzie, Wabby, etc) which also gives you the chance to explore the inland tracks. Eli Creek is worth a visit. Watch out for washouts on the beach and be aware of the dingoes - they look friendly but ...

[rogjil Find all posts View Profile Close rogjil]

Also very keen to visit the Cape, and have seen a video in the last week of a cruiser rolling at Ngkala Rocks over Easter. As long as driving sensibly, does anyone think this will be too much trouble? Everyone attending has done a bit of Beach driving before and understand having correct tyre pressure and maintaining momentum. High tide and 2 hours either side of it are a no go to the cape obviously?

Hi, we went to Fraser over Easter and went through Ngkala Rocks a few times. Not sure how the cruiser rolled. The entrance through the coffee rock cutting at the southern entrance to the the bypass track was a fairly chopped up but not that bad. Low range take it easy and you will be right.
Like always I lowered tire pressures to 14psi, but the notoriously soft sand of the bypass itself was firm and compact after the recent rains and higher pressure would have been no worries. Might be a bit softer now, as it is usually the soft sand that gets everybody stuck.
Also our first trip to the cape, we did on a high tide of 1.6m, The only tricky bit was one little washout right near the cape, but once at Sandy Cape it was a couple of hours before you could proceed along the northern tip around to the lighthouse etc.
Regards Roger.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

First time I ever went we used paper maps completely. Hema 4wd Touring map and the one we got from the Parks people when we booked. Never had an issues. The main spots are signposted well.

The Cape from Orchid beach should be easy enough in a day trip.

You'll be fine - Though we a 200 series get bogged right outside the shop just after. Just a little embarrassing.

Just watch the speeds through the washout. I heard of a 120 Prado blowing its turbo going through Eli Creek like a maniac when I was there last. And spend a bit of time a Indian head watching the backpackers trying to get through

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Great dunes around the cape....

...

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

Never taken anything more than the parks map you get off the web. Good enough, you can't get lost.

I'm heading over for the boys trip on September. But increasing pressure from the missus to take the kids. She hasn't been since before they were born.

Trouble is the best fishing is from right out side the camp on the beach. Which means the dingos become a worry and the beach is a highway and no place for little kids in my opinion.

[rogjil Find all posts View Profile Close rogjil]

https://vimeo.com/125231729not the best video, but this was coming back through Nkgala rocks on Easter Monday. This was the worst bit, the cutting through the coffee rock, and as you can see not that bad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fearless Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fearless]

Hi rojjil

See that you have a decent rod holder. Mate of mine makes them.

Nice video.

[rogjil Find all posts View Profile Close rogjil]

Hi rojjil

See that you have a decent rod holder. Mate of mine makes them.

Nice video.

Thanks, yeah great rod holder

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

Hi rojjil

See that you have a decent rod holder. Mate of mine makes them.Nice video

Off topic....yeah I agree, really want one too..just to go with the other stuff I never use!!

If your mate can do a discount for a PP group buy, I'd be in???

Thanks, yeah great rod holder

[Ron.H. Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ron.H.]

Be careful of the dingoes with little kids don't let them wander to far from your side, I had a friend that was there in March and camped on the beach just past Happy Valley and had 3 visits from dingoes while there.
The first time was at night they were sitting at a table in their tent awning when a dingo ran in and pinched a rubbish bag they had under the table between there legs.
Then on other times it was day time, he dropped a chocolate in the tent and forgot to pick it up and they ate through the tent door then ate through the inner room to get it.
The next day while they were out they ate through the shower and toilet tent.
When I was there in September at Waddy Point the campers beside us were walking on the beach towards Orchid Beach and had to fend off an attacking dingo with a stick until a car came along and got between them and dingo to chase it away.
I go there every year fishing for tailor and have never had a problem just don't go wandering alone and keep the kids close by with you and you shouldn't have a problem.
As for fishing pick a good looking gutter for what ever fish you are chasing deep for dart or a shallow one for whiting.

[57one Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 57one]

Thanks for all the replies! As usual this place is a fantastic resource. I feel a lot more confident with Ngkala and navigating with a Paper map now. Most certainly will be keeping the Kids close. Hopefully with the bigger group, and staying at a fenced house, we wont have any issues with the Dingos. I may even have a crack at a trip report when we get back. Thanks again guys!

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

Have fun mate . I went up after some rain on oz day . Towed a trailer up no worries and in between didn't have to get the trax off the roof . You'll have no dramas and you're traveling with mates so sweet as
Matt

[57one Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 57one]

Wow, just had one of the best weeks of my life. Absolutely love the place, and the Prado ate it all up with no issues. Already planning a trip back later in the year. Ill see how I go with work this week, and will try put a little trip report together. Managed to get to just about everything from the southern lakes and inland tracks, western beaches, and the entire eastern beach all the way to the cape. What a place!

[rogjil Find all posts View Profile Close rogjil]

Wow, just had one of the best weeks of my life. Absolutely love the place, and the Prado ate it all up with no issues. Already planning a trip back later in the year. Ill see how I go with work this week, and will try put a little trip report together. Managed to get to just about everything from the southern lakes and inland tracks, western beaches, and the entire eastern beach all the way to the cape. What a place!

Glad you had a good time.

Yep it is just one of those special places, everytime we leave Fraser we are thinking about how to get back again.

Looking forward to a report and some pics!