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Car Forum / Australian Car Forums / 4x4 Cars (Australian group) / January 2007Fraser Island with a baby - suggestions and advice?
I want to go to Fraser Island for four days, with two friends and my eight month old daughter. I've heard that the smooth track of 75 Mile Beach is the only track of Fraser Island that is recommended for traveling with children. I've been told that the four-wheel-drive tracks are too rough for a young child in the car. I was wondering about recommended campsites or cabin sites along 75 mile Beach. Also, is McKenzie Lake accessible from 75 Me Beach? As far as camping, the eight-month-old loves camping and being in tents, so that's no problem. I would greatly appreciate information from anyone who's been to Fraser Island with a young child and any advice on what we should do while we're there. Why is Fraser Island so hard on a baby? Our kids were carted all over Far North Qld from a few weeks old. I dont think the track came into it at all. In fact Fraser Island is very very populated with people so remoteness is not even an issue. Your baby would be in a capsule wouldnt it? The only thing I would see that would worry you is the sandflys on the eastern side, but common sense comes in to play there. Cover your baby, or put it in the tent. Sorry but I cant help but wonder what a smooth track has to do with a baby? You dont drive like a maniac on a rough patch do you? Take your daughter, dont fuss, enjoy the drive and just relax - she wont break - or mine never did :) Beware of the dingoes though :P Kathy. > Why is Fraser Island so hard on a baby? Our kids were carted all over Far > North Qld from a few weeks old. I dont think the track came into it at [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Beware of the dingoes though :P > Kathy. Id tend not to take my kids till they were at least 1yr old (Recommend 2). The side to side and corregations dont play well with little necks and backs. And thats the same advice from my Chiropractor. Yep, dont take them in the pram either, just incase you hit a rough spot when crossing the road. Dont take them shopping in the shopping cart as someone may run into you and cause a jolt, when you back down your driveway go very very slow as you probably have a gutter to go across. Really Scott - I think tis best to continue normal life with your kids (babies) their "little necks and backs:" can stand being carted around a rice paddy in Asia in a very rudamentary sling on the back of a very busy mother so I think an airconditioned "car" on Fraser Island iis not going to hurt them at all. Kathy Bullshit We have a number of kids in our 4WD club and universally they stay alert on the freeway and as soon as the car is offroad they go to sleep. The rougher the terrain the more quickly they doze off. As long as you have the right seats or capsules you are fine. > Bullshit > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > As long as you have the right seats or capsules you are fine. Id like to meet your kids in 20 years time and tell me that they have never had neck/back issues. I sincerely hope that they dont but in my family we have all suffered (some times servere) back pain. Hey, its my opinion, Im not telling you what to do with your kids the origional poster asked for it so I post it. Glad to see that theres more opinions out there. > Yep, dont take them in the pram either, just incase you hit a rough spot > when crossing the road. Dont take them shopping in the shopping cart as [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > to hurt them at all. > Kathy If theres a chance of any of my children getting issues with thier backs and necks as did all of our adult family I want to minimise any chances of them having the same issues we have. babies necks just arent that strong until they are over 1 really. Ever heard of not shaking a baby? Its the weakness in thier necks that cause spine and spinal cord issues, hey by all means take your child 4x4ing but its my opinion and belief that they shouldnt be subjected to all that strain. And as far as your Paddy feild issue, whats the problems that they all have once grown, of thats right BACK PAIN! Chinese life expectance aint that high and thier health standards arent the worlds best. By the way, the odd bumps and grazes are fine, its the continuous uncontrolled movement of thier heads that is my concern. Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth, take it or leave it, it doesnt effect me. Scotty School holidays Scott, dont feed the trolls. >Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth, take it or leave it, it doesnt effect me. > >Scotty I arent a troll! LOL Scott your kids must have some weak genes :P I wonder what else they have done with themselves in the last 20 yrs besides sit in a car? We may as well buy DVDS, computer games, air conditioned homes, multiple TVs and stay home. Kathy. >I arent a troll! LOL > Scott your kids must have some weak genes :P > I wonder what else they have done with themselves in the last 20 yrs > besides sit in a car? We may as well buy DVDS, computer games, air > conditioned homes, multiple TVs and stay home. > Kathy. Thanks for posting your poinion but the pain that I have suffered with back/neck issues I wouldnt wish on my children and bouncing them around in a 4x4 aint gunna do them any good regardless of how well they are strapped in. And if they are supported to the hilt with padding etc they would be a PITA to travel with. Sorry, I dont want to risk it for the sake of the odd weekend away. I'll wait till I know that they can handle it. >> I arent a troll! LOL >> Scott your kids must have some weak genes :P [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Sorry, I dont want to risk it for the sake of the odd weekend away. I'll > wait till I know that they can handle it. So your back pain was caused by being bounced around in a 4WD when you were young? Sounds more a genetic defect or something else unique to your family if its common in lots of family members. Daryl >>> I arent a troll! LOL >>> Scott your kids must have some weak genes :P [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Daryl Could be that, but for the sake of it I wont be taking my children 4x4ing until they are at least 2. Theres plenty of other things we can do as a family. >> Daryl > > Could be that, but for the sake of it I wont be taking my children 4x4ing > until they are at least 2. Theres plenty of other things we can do as a > family. I'm leaving Saturday for a week at Fraser with my 7 week old son. I've been there plenty of times and it's not really rough. Just be sensible in the way you drive. We're staying at Waddy in a house and are doing a day/night at Sandy Cape to do some turtle watching. My only concern is getting over Ngakala Rocks with him in his seat. Just being picked up by adults is rougher I think. Cheers, Pete Go for it Pete! I can see that your baby will grow up with a father that really wants to get out there with him and not wrap him in cotton wool. Have a great trip > Go for it Pete! I can see that your baby will grow up with a father that > really wants to get out there with him and not wrap him in cotton wool. > Have a great trip Gee wonder who that was aimed at. I think that it comes down to what your definition of 4x4ing comes down to. A Beach drive for me aint 4x4ing. > Gee wonder who that was aimed at. > > I think that it comes down to what your definition of 4x4ing comes down > to. A Beach drive for me aint 4x4ing. I have followed this thread with interest but have not bothered to make any comments until now. In all honesty I think it is entirely up to each person as to what they feel is right or wrong for their kids. Personally I can't see a problem with taking kids 4WDing provided the vehicle is set up for it. Mind you last October we sailed across to Fraser Island and were chatting to some 4WDers who had toddlers who were absolutely covered from head to toe in Sandfly and midgee bites. Honestly they looked like someone had attacked them with a burning cigarette butt. Being on the water can be almost as rough as on some dirt tracks and we have always had our kids on the boat from a very young age. No problems. I remember once we took out some other kids who's mother would not allow them to go within 2 feet of the side of the boat in case they fell in. In the meantime, my daughter, aged 5, was out hanging off the side and having a ball. I dropped the mother back on shore, and took all the kids out again. This time I let them have some fun and, given the chance, they were hanging off all over the place, putting their heads in the water and having the time of their lives! Meanwhile, their mother was on the shore absolutely beside herself with fear that her little darlings were going to die. Bottom line: They didn't and they still talk about that day out even today. So does their mother!!!! What I am trying to say is that you need to feel comfortable with taking your kids anywhere. If your not then so be it. Best regards Garry >> Gee wonder who that was aimed at. >> [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > Garry Agreed, there are indeed limits to how rough a terrain Ill take em on though. Ive no issue taking them in the 4x4 from Noosa to Rainbow but when the truck does a side to side shake of uneven terrain I think that its to much for em. That is a broad statement Garry - so, for example, you are OK that the Muslims abuse their female kids just because they think it is right? David > .... > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > In all honesty I think it is entirely up to each person as to what they feel > is right or wrong for their kids. > That is a broad statement Garry - so, for example, you are OK that the Muslims > abuse their female kids just because they think it is right? What has being muslim got to do with it? thinking of the screeching nut case pair of parents up the street. > That is a broad statement Garry - so, for example, you are OK that the > Muslims > abuse their female kids just because they think it is right? > > David Sorry David but your question is so ridiculous that it does not even warrant a response. Hi Scotty I have been to Fraser Island - it is sand driving but really do you think it is all that "4wding"? we spent over a week there and didnt think it was what we define as 4wding. Yes, you need a 4wd, but there are a lot of places where ppl need a 4wd but it doesnt make it serious 4wding does it? Wow, even my head is spinning with all the 4wding I am writing here. Then there are 4wdrivers and 4wdrivers! Some are idiots, determined to drive like maniacs, damage vehicles, scare crap out of passengers and generally make themselves look like prize dheads. Some just take it slow, and no matter how rough the terrain you sure are not gonna get chucked around the cab LOL. Sorry - up here we have certainly done some wild 4wd tracks, but the car and the people in it have remained unharmed. Your kids would be perfectly safe with a quality 4wd driver I guess. (would be the midgees as I said in my first reply which would really drive the kids mad_ Kathy. Yeah, I hear you. Nothing wrong with takin it slow, I like a bit of throw the vehicel round a bit of 4x4ing, kinda trail stuff, slow and steady, kinda technical driving. No way would I take my kids in the 4x4 doing that stuff, well until they are older anyway. It sounds like Frasier will be fine for them if I stick to the main tracks eh. What season do the sandflies/midges go away? The ole mans comming up here August and he wants me to take him then, Im assuming as they call them MARCH FLIES that they should be gone by then??? Scotty > Hi Scotty > I have been to Fraser Island - it is sand driving but really do you think [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > my first reply which would really drive the kids mad_ > Kathy. | Yeah, I hear you. | Nothing wrong with takin it slow, I like a bit of throw the vehicel round a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] | | Scotty I've heard the march flies are as big as sparrows up there, take a cricket bat too. > | Yeah, I hear you. > | Nothing wrong with takin it slow, I like a bit of throw the vehicel round [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > I've heard the march flies are as big as sparrows up there, take a cricket > bat too. first time I went to Fraser we set up camp on the beach, and immediatly we had 3 march flys bugging and bitting us now the weird thing was as soon as we killed one another would take it's place so we always had 3, no more no less 1 day of that was enough, so we pissed off further up the beach, ended up staying at Waddy point, 2 weeks after school holidays, almost deserted it was, that was back in about 1993 Kev | > | Yeah, I hear you. | > | Nothing wrong with takin it slow, I like a bit of throw the vehicel round [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] | > I've heard the march flies are as big as sparrows up there, take a cricket | > bat too. | first time I went to Fraser we set up camp on the beach, and immediatly | we had 3 march flys bugging and bitting us | now the weird thing was | as soon as we killed one another would take it's place so we always had | 3, no more no less I wonder if the buggers originated from the Middle East? | 1 day of that was enough, so we pissed off further up the beach, ended | up staying at Waddy point, 2 weeks after school holidays, almost | deserted it was, that was back in about 1993 | | Kev Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the average blowie alone is enough to piss me off on a good day. > Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the average > blowie alone is enough to piss me off on a good day. You try get rid of Blowies?!?....... Oh you mean THOSE blowies. | > Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the average | > blowie alone is enough to piss me off on a good day. | | You try get rid of Blowies?!?....... Oh you mean THOSE blowies. left myself wide open there didn't I... > | > Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the > average [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > left myself wide open there didn't I... As you should with a blo...... opps I forgot, schools still out. :o) | > | > Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the | > average [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] | | As you should with a blo...... opps I forgot, schools still out. :o) Hold it till next week.... >| > | > Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the >| > average [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Hold it till next week.... He'll probably want to hold it longer than that !! >>| > | > Yep, don't think the Aeroguard works on them critters, just the >>| > average [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >> > He'll probably want to hold it longer than that !! I was kinda hoping to be able to hold it for many years to come :o) > Hi Scotty > I have been to Fraser Island - it is sand driving but really do you think [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > my first reply which would really drive the kids mad_ > Kathy. Interested to see this thread is still going, so I thought I'd throw on a quick trip report. Had a great week at Orchid Beach etc. Beach was in excellent shape going up, not much traffic etc. Funny thing was we got stuck in a traffic jam on the back track to Waddy. Guy in an Explorer kept bogging himself. Very embarrasing. After 30mins of waiting for this bloke to get sorted (we were only 500mtrs from end of track), I asked if I could nip around him as the baby was starting to crack the sh*ts being in the back for the last 6 hours. Couldn't figure out why he was getting stuck, real easy driving. We ran in 2 wheel from the barge to Indian Head. Did Sandy Cape and had a friend who is a Ranger give us a in person tour kind of. Kids got to see dingo's being trapped for tagging and turtles laying eggs etc. Beautiful place and only bit of Fraser that I think can challenge you if you don't approach Ngkala right. Of the other 3 trips I've done there in the last 12 months, there has been a Landcruiser stuck on the track (don't ask me why). Thankfully not this time. On the down side of things, yes the March flies were in swarm proportions. Green eyed ones north of Indian, bigger brown ones south of. Damn things are impervious of aerogard too it seems. Sandies weren't much of a problem. I always seem to forget how damn annoying they are. Water was very clear and blue bottles only about last few days. Daughter got stung (her first time) and all of Waddy knew about it. We took pics of the poor kid for her 21st when it comes. She's 9 next month. Coming down the beach headed home you could tell it was the long weekend. The dickhead factor had arrived, though thankfully so had a large number of very responsible 4x4 clubs to the clean up Aussie thing. As for the kids. Daughter had a ball (loves Champagne pools and Sandy Cape) and our new boy got his first swim in the ocean and in a lake. Couldn't complain about him, he was a champion. Planning another trip for April. Can't wait. Pete. PS. Yeah it may not be 4x4 by some peoples standards, but by God, it's a beautiful piece of Australia and we are thankful that we own a fourby and live in this great country. >> Hi Scotty >> I have been to Fraser Island - it is sand driving but really do you think [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] > beautiful piece of Australia and we are thankful that we own a fourby and > live in this great country. By the sound of it Im seriously underestimating just how smooth the Frasier trip is going to be. Every trip Ive done in the 4x4 to date would Im sure would rattle most peoples cages. Are there some good tracks to navigate while Im there or are they all as tame as you guys make out. <snip> > By the sound of it Im seriously underestimating just how smooth the > Frasier trip is going to be. Every trip Ive done in the 4x4 to date would > Im sure would rattle most peoples cages. Are there some good tracks to > navigate while Im there or are they all as tame as you guys make out. There is no real issue with most tracks. The track from Eurong thru to Lake Mackenzie can get dug out and you get bumped around. Main reason for this is the tour bus's chewing it up. There was a guy stuck for 60mins in a Vitara. He'd managed to rip off both front and rear bumpers and his wife was cracking. Not enough ground clearance basically and no knowledge of what to do. There are a large number of "minor" 4x4 tracks but to be honest we avoid them. Too many other things to do about the place. Only challenging parts to the island are Indian Head if you're in the wrong gear and pick the wrong wheel track to follow (avoid the bus wheel tracks) and Ngkala. If you're in a manual, just stick to 1st high and keep it at 3000rpm and you'll be over Ngkala. Momentum is everything there. Mind you this is all advice for low tide. High tide is another thing all together. The island is an easy run. Oh, Eli Creek too can catch some people out when parking due to the sand being chewed up by so many vehicles. Other than that, enjoy yourself. Pete But you are upto yr 5 english..Keep going... its a long road ahead. >I arent a troll! LOL > But you are upto yr 5 english..Keep going... its a long road ahead. > >> I arent a troll! LOL 5th year english - ahh biggus you can talk lol. Sheee hope the kids get to enjoy the great out doors very soon as I was tossed around the back of a ute at a very tender age and I am ok. Lushy now 51 We got back today from Fraser. We saw quite a few young babies. Don't know if they were camping. The beach is smoother than many roads in Sydney! If you drive sensibly the inland tracks are probably not much worse than the Pacific Highway heading north from Sydney. You have to drive inland from the beach to get to Lake Mackenzie, but the tracks were fine. Take the usual precautions with kids - something for the sandfly (I seem to have been bitten more than usual this visit) and sunscreen. Enjoy. >I want to go to Fraser Island for four days, with two friends and my > eight month old daughter. I've heard that the smooth track of 75 Mile [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Island with a young child and any advice on what we should do while > we're there. |
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