Lucky for me I was on Fraser for the 1st time. Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April were the start of life long love affair. It is still my favorite place to go.
I had just bought a shorty cruiser for $1200 off a cattle property near Normanton when I worked up there in the old Bank of New South Wales. It had been under water during the 74 floods and the receivers of the property had put new rings and bearings in the old F series petrol motor, changed fluids wired up ignition and headlights only and a quick splash of paint. Drove back to Brigvagas with 5gallon fuel drum in the back as fuel gauge and everything else electrical did not work. Three speed box with no syncro on first, no power steering, dodgy drum brakes but incredible amount of fun.
Back then,if you saw another vehicle on the beach, you would stop and have a beer and a chat. Fuel at Happy Valley was hand pumped in to a churn to measure and then poured in the fuel tank. No maps available-just follow a track you have been told about and eventually you arrived at the other side of the Island to catch the barge back to River Heads depending on the tide.
Those were the days when there was no rubbish, fires were allowed, no rangers or police and no problems with the poor old dingos as there were brumbies for them to hunt, sand mining and timber getting. Some progress and some not so good.
Reply With Quote