Are we doing enough to protect the fragile eco-system of Fraser Is

Hi there

Cheat's photo - graphic on side of bus

Dingo  commented, "Gidday Clare, unfortunately Fraser Island is not being loved to death, but slowly destroyed as there are now about 500,000 tourists driving all over the Island in the 4WD's and Buses. The sand tracks cannot cope with this onslaught of way too much traffic. You were lucky to see some dingoes, actually quite privileged because their numbers are quickly disappearing. there is not enough proper camping accommodation with toilet facilities so they just all go and poo in the bush. This is not good enough for a Heritage Listed Island, would you agree?"

With only one visit and limited background knowledge, my impression was that there has been a lot of regeneration since they stopped the sand mining and timber cutting.  Whether it is enough to protect this unique fragile eco-system is an important question.  Your points that the camping facilities are inadequate and that the sand tracks can't cope with the number of 4WDs and buses, obviously need to be addressed and I agree that this isn't good enough.




My photo of a real dingo, taken in the rain


Re dingos -  the impression we got was that their numbers are dwindling but that this is more the normal balance compared to when they  were in plague proportions during the time they were being fed indiscriminately by campers.

I will forward your comments on to the tour company.
Clara 


Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Eco-tourism prevents Fraser Island from being 'Loved to Death"

Driving along the seemingly endless beaches




  
 

  Back after our holiday up north to Queensland - we were very fortunate to be just ahead of the floods - more good luck than good management.  We were totally shocked when we saw the degree of devastation left in our path and just how quickly it can happen.

One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Fraser Island which is........From the guidebook ...." the world's largest sand island, 123 km long and 15km wide.  It was World Heritage listed in 1992 after a bitter struggle between conservationalists, sand mining and logging interests.  It is composed almost entirely of vegetation covered sand, with over 40 freshwater lakes and dense rainforest."

One of the 40 freshwater lakes




 





 The amazing part is how much vegetation there is growing in just sand. 
The drive along the beach - in the rain - in a  fourwheel drive bus was quite an experience as was seeing dingos, (native wild dogs), and walking through lush rainforest with ferns 2000 years old.  Good that eco-tourism is in place, fostering awareness for the need to preserve it's natural beauty  and fragile exo-systems as it was in danger of being "Loved to Death"
Clara

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au