Star Attraction

A World Heritage-listed wilderness with resort-style comforts, Fraser Island is the perfect place to go wild – or go Hawaiian.

AS A CHILD, my parents used to say to my sisters and I, if we looked up to the night sky, we may just see a shooting star (usually they would explain that we would only see one if we were very, very quiet).

Ever since, I have frequently searched for them and maybe only twice have I ever seen a shooting star.

This being said, I often wondered if it was because I have become so busy with life, being a single parent and working full time in both a career and as a mother that looking down at my mobile device was the reason I missed what was going on above me – and even right in front of me.

I never took the time to look up.

You may think, ‘what do stars have to do with Fraser Island?’.

I am going to tell you … everything.

Camping on a beach and waking up to the sound of waves was always my idea of a romantic dream.

It may not have turned out exactly how I imagined when I went camping on Fraser, however, it was very close.

I was aware that Fraser Island is one of the world's most unusual islands.

Not only is it the largest sand island in the world – 123 kilometres long and 22 kilometres wide – but it's the only place on Earth where tall rainforests grow on sand dunes 200 metres high.

It also has half the world's perched lakes – lakes formed when depressions in dunes fill permanently with rainwater. WORDS BROOKE LOWTHER

Arriving at Fraser by 4WD was an experience within itself, lowering the air in the tyres, getting on the barge and grabbing the permit.

I allowed my partner to do all of this manly organising and he took charge like a true alpha male.

One thing I was scared of was the dingoes, however, I never saw one the entire trip.

All roads on Fraser Island, which are made of soft sand, are 4WD only.

A number of tours are available, or you can hire your own set of wheels on the island (I heard that you can also try hiring a 4WD in Hervey Bay).

If you haven't driven on sand before, the friendly folk at Aussie Trax 4WD hire at Kingfisher Village will give you a quick lesson before you set out.

Most people head straight to the vast sandy highway otherwise known as 75 Mile Beach on the eastern side of the island, but also worth doing is the inland Central Lakes scenic drive which takes around two hours.

Highlights include Pile Valley’s impressive stand of tall, straight Satinay trees, Lake McKenzie, and Lake Wabby lookout for a view of Lake Wabby and Stonetool Sandblow.

Lake McKenzie was my pick … I floated around the lake on a giant blow-up tyre for a least two hours before the sunset.

At this point, my partner and I were very waterlogged, however, the freshwater lake gave us a feeling of cleanliness and purity.

As we made it back to our campsite that night, we had talked about lying under the stars and looking up to the night sky.

We had packed fun dress up Hawaiian themed costumes (which we do often) and were ready for a fun evening together.

My partner and I are super competitive, so the person who saw a shooting star first, – or at all – would not have to make dinner the following evening.

The race was on.

Suddenly I saw one. Jumping up and screaming, I won.

Then five minutes after, another one, then he saw one …

After six hours of chatting, laughing and looking at the sky, we saw 16 shooting stars.

After the first three, I had run out of wishes, so I kept making the same one over and over … what a magical experience.

I can see how the idea of staying at one of the many resorts on Fraser Island, like Kingfisher Bay Resort or Eurong Beach Resort would appeal – all beautiful and four stars.

And the eco retreats and beachfront units are a treat.

But camping for me had Brooke Lowther written all over it.

To lay on a rug and watch the sunrise, seeing shooting stars by the dozens and really getting to know my partner better was simply perfect.

I will be heading back to Fraser Island very soon.

THE FINAL EDITION

With Lotus Elise set to end its production run in 2021, now is your last chance to secure one of these elite sports cars.

“THE BEST ‘PURE JOY’ investment of my life … this car puts a smile on my face every time I start it up.”

Daryl recently took delivery of his Lotus Elite sports car from Lotus Queensland and is happy to share his story.

“25 years ago while at a car show in Las Vegas, I saw this stunning car … my first close up look at a Lotus sports car,” he says.

With 40 years experience in the auto repair business, Daryl had worked on and driven pretty much every car on the market.

And while he had owned a couple of high-end BMWs, his eyes were always on Lotus.

“I followed the Lotus Elise for a number of years, but never got the chance to even see one up close,” he explains.

“A few months ago with semi-retirement in hand, I looked into my bucket, and saw one item in it. A Lotus.

“The search started, and low and behold one in my favourite colour was available at a reasonable distance from me.

Accompanied by his wife, Daryl made the trip to actually see and drive his dream car.

“There was a huge hesitation in play, with info in hand about this car being very ‘raw’ and not friendly to drive on the street,” he admits.

“But just 20 minutes into a test drive the deal was done in my head.

“This is a pure driving machine.

“Not as refined as other sports cars I have driven, but just a pure connection between you and the road via the car.

“There is no need to drive fast, as driving at legal speeds is still a fun experience, without the insulating qualities of modern high end cars.

“There are no thoughts of body roll on a roundabout. No hesitation on passing or changing lanes. Just be one with the car and enjoy.”

While his wife still finds driving it a bit intimidating, Daryl couldn’t be happier.

“I spent 30 years racing motorcycles, so I understand handling, braking, and acceleration from a pure performance perspective, and the Lotus fills the void left from not bike racing.

“As a mechanic I look at my new love and see a hand-built piece of mechanical art.

“The exposed shift mechanism is just pure sexy and the no frills finish is just right for a proper sports car.

“The rather loud interior gets tiring after a couple of hours, signalling it is time for a break to stretch your legs, but I am really amazed at how comfortable the seat is, with little padding,

“It’s obviously very well engineered with no need for a ton of padding to make up for a poor design.

“This car puts a smile on my face every time I start it up.

“It is also kind of fun when it attracts a ton of attention when you are out and about in it.”

Daryl’s story is quite timely, with news that the production of the iconic Lotus Elise will cease in 2021.

The brand will be entering a new era with their sports car range around the world, however, Queensland Lotus have been fortunate enough to secure an allocation from the last batch of vehicles which will be delivered to Australia throughout the year.

Dubbed ’the Final Edition’ they will be the last of their kind made available for sale. lotuscarsqld.com.au