Sandy Cape - Fraser Island - Fresh Water??

[weeds]

Looking to spend seven nights at Sandy Cape...........

What's the availability of water.....

- Is there fresh water running into the ocean?

- would a sand spear find water??

Cheers

[Steffo1]

- would a sand spear find water??

Cheers

Most certainly  but..............................don't let the "Possums" see you with it!
There's water at the lighthouse but it's a 1200m uphill walk.
Have a good time.
Steve

[weeds]

Most certainly  but..............................don't let the "Possums" see you with it!
There's water at the lighthouse but it's a 1200m uphill walk.
Have a good time.
Steve

So no little creeks?? Anywhere between Nagala Rocks and the tip would do.

Looks like the kids have a daily workout.....they can exchange water for food

[Steffo1]

I was up there last week & all of the decent creeks were South of Waddy!
Not that I've ever done this but you could hollow out a cheap styro cooler & sit it over the spear
With reference to the rangers, they're currently doing up the vehicle access to the lighthouse so there's a bit of activity in the area, if you get my drift
Steve

[weeds]

I have no idea of the height difference between water and camp........I'm sure I can sort something out

Next question what's my chances of a stock lux dragging my camper up there......I'm resigning to the fact we might be camping out of the car leaving the caller at home.

[Steffo1]

I have no idea of the height difference between water and camp........I'm sure I can sort something out

Next question what's my chances of a stock lux dragging my camper up there......I'm resigning to the fact we might be camping out of the car leaving the caller at home.

That's a hard one to answer. What trailer, how much driver experience, how many vehicles are in front of you (& to be fair, how many behind you. You don't want to be the knob holding people up ), how many get bogged at Ngkala rocks. If you're held up by a few bogged vehicles for an hour or two then, depending on the tides, your run to the Cape could be compromised. Last year we missed out on the Cape because of a bloke straight out of the "4WD Action University". I reckon he graduated with honours!
I'd be tenting it myself.
Steve

[weeds]

Yeah that's my worry, don't want to hold people up.....believe I have the experience, it's my home built camper coming it at 1.2T. If I still had the defer I would be worried but i now have a stock lux......

[edz]

Compromise and camp up on the dune just south of Ngkala in around  Ocean Lake then you have Orange creek nearby ...
veiw is from some of the camp sites, then do easy day runs to the cape

[Jeepers Creepers]

I think Edz just solved ya problem.

[weeds]

Thanks ezd...looks like a good option

[gumboot]

That first photo is a cracking spot by the looks.

[edz]

One spot even had a dunny, probably been burnt by someone  by now though.

[Beachman]

If I didn’t have any another couple of 4WD’s in my group, then I personally wouldn’t tackle South Ngkala rocks by myself towing a Camper Trailer. This bypass can test even the best 4WD’s and drivers without trailers, so towing a trailer just increases your chances of getting bogged to your diffs.

While the track isn’t technically difficult, seeing so many 4WD’s get bogged on a daily basis, there are a couple of sections which gets so chewed up, it’s like quicksand.

In regards to getting water out of a sand spear I don’t think you would need to dig too deep. We have used sand spears before on Fraser before for the shower, but we always put the spear behind the shower tent and the Rangers have never noticed. 

[Steffo1]

Edz is right on the money there However, a lot of the beach camping areas are closed for a burnoff & will be closed up to Sept. depending on the weather, according to the "Possums". Sorry Weeds, I didn't take any notice of whether Marloo was closed or open I don't know when you're going but it would pay to check "Park Conditions" on the Qpark web site.
Steve

[chisel]

My guess would be stock hilux + 1.2T camper = big trouble at Ngkala.

[weeds]

My guess would be stock hilux + 1.2T camper = big trouble at Ngkala.

Stupid hilux.........

Rough plan is second week September school holidays although I think our first week will make it difficult to get to Fraser......

[weeds]

My guess would be stock hilux + 1.2T camper = big trouble at Ngkala.

Camper can be reduced to 1.1T if water is available.......won't help my cause.

[Green rv]

Hi Weeds
fresh water can be gotten at orchid beach servo/shop dont know if its potable also at the resort and a few other spots

i towed my little cub with the ln167 3ltr non turbo last year with no problems at all.
the cub loaded would have been around 400-450 kg and around 200 kg in the back of the ute.
the bit that had me worried is the camper only has 13" wheels, dragged the axle a bit but was ok

was talking to a mate who wants to go this weekend and has to hire a 4wd, the 4wd hire mob told him that driving conditions are bad atm
being after the school holidays i would probably agree but you never know

edit must add we stayed this side of  Nagala Rocks

 
Adam

[Steffo1]

Did Ngkala Rocks 10 or 12 days ago & waltzed it through as did Broncos11 in his 'Cruiser. A friend of mine in her 2 week old stock DMax ate it up as well much to the chagrin of a couple of blokes who had to be recovered & have a couple of bites at the cherry (Although, in fairness, she's done a lot of driving on Moreton.)
As Beachman said, if there are a few boggings before you get your chance than normally there are large depressions at those spots. Even if they're backfilled the sand is not firm & a lot of people end up stuck in the same spot.
Steve

[broncos11]

I'm with edz. Camp just north of Orchid. Apart from making trips up to Cape easy, it will also reduce travel time for trips down to Waddy, Indian Head, Eli Creek etc therefore making it a bit easier with working out tides etc. also those camps north of Orchid normally are pretty good in handling wind from both north and south. If inclined, there's the bonus also of having the pub and coffee hit available at Orchid as well as freshwater. Just my opinion, but If possible, I'd also find a mate to go with when towing a trailer of any sort when off-roading.

Dave

[Clouty]

Agree with Broncos and edz..

[edz]

For indian head and Champaigne pool ramps  with a trailer, unless its been raining theres a good chance you may need a helping hand to get through,  given the possible holiday traffic and the hotter temps they could be very soft and chewed up ..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyGhumDESWM

[chisel]

Yeah, I wouldn't think Indian head->Champagne Pools->Orchid beach will be straightforward with a stock dual-cab and a 1T+ trailer either.  Probably do-able but would be nice to have a mate in front for a quick snatch if necessary in a couple of spots.

[Proudy]

I've just got back from there and camped at Waddy. As I've never been to Fraser before I was a bit worried about getting through Indian head. We were towing a Jayco outback eagle with a LC 76 I just put it in low range and we walked through with no dramas at all. Tyre pressure was 16 at the front and 18 in the back and 18 on the Jayco. There was probably not the traffic that you will see though at that time of year. But we saw plenty of stock 4wds at Waddy even a BMW wagon with low profile tyres.


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[chisel]

Yeah, no dramas in a landcruiser towing a small-medium trailer, or a stock dual-cab (or other small-medium 4wd) when not towing.  But a stock hilux (or similar dual-cab) towing a trailer ... probably be ok if conditions are ok but I wouldn't be certain of it.