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The 2008 Fraser Island Fishing Expo

This was the first time we left the facory for a visit to Toyota’s Fraser Island Fishing Expo.

We weren’t too sure on what to expect from our trip up there from Brisbane and arriving at Inskip Point we boarded the Manta Ray barge for our ride across to the World Heritage Island that this event has called home for 25 years now.

Travelling later in the afternoon around low-tide, the beach was near deserted as the waves peeled along side travelling up, and it was nearly sunset by the time we had reached the Maheno Wreck, just past the clear running water of Eli Creek, and after pulling up to watch a pair of Dingoes on the dunes, we soon had to move on again to make way for Orchid Beach with darkness soon to set in.

Never being to the event before, we made a call and appreciated a guide to where we were staying to settle for the night and make way for an early start.

Up with the sound of bussleing vehicles, we had a quick coffee and made our way down the sand track leading out to the dune cutting onto the beach.

With the Sun glowing to rise over the water, it opened the view of an eye opening amount of boating entrants lined up and waiting their turn to reverse up and slide their boat into the deep running gutter that sheltered them from the rolling surf.

Other than the boating entrants, there was also the others who chose to travel up and pick their spot to cast in for a hopeful catch from the beach.

The majority of their days up there are spent trying to tempt the local fish populations with their assortment of baits and lures, and although it does take you a little by surprise at the amount of visitors to the event, it is limited to 1500 entries.

As the day progresses into the afternoon, a steady stream of boats make their way back to the launching site, and there’s generally a good crowd of onlookers settled along the beach awaiting their chance to be entertained in the seemingly Aussie way of applause for the numerous amount of misfortunes of others while they re-load.

Even though at the same time there’s some nice table fish kept, it’s great to see such a focus in the expo on the catch and release side of things also, especially with the number of younger anglers there, and an enthusiastic involvement from the DPI / Fisheries and National Parks also.

The Expo runs for seven days, and weather permitting a normal daily routine involved competitors getting up early, heading out fishing, returning and weighing in in the afternoon, back to camp to clean up and then to the competition site for the nights entertainment and prizes.

The ‘comp’ site’, as they call it, is situated just inland from the seaside at Orchid Beach, and leading out from a main stage, similar to that of what you would envisage an outdoor concert setting to be like, a ring of shelters with products, displays, food and drinks circle the perimeter around the crowd space.

There are two large screens either side of the stage that nightly air the days events, and the more anticipated unfortunate mishaps encountered by competitors. Laughs lift through the crowd with the vision of bloopers, as boats being reversed are mistimed and dropped on the sand and the like.

After the daily highlights and welcome notes, there are random draw prize giveaways for some very, very lucky competitors, and as the week progress’ so do the prizes, ranging from ice-boxes and freezers, to Dunlop / Goodyear Tyres, a Cruise Craft Boat with Yamaha outboard, and both a Yaris and Hilux.

The weather was ideal for the first half of the week, although towards the end, a large low-pressure system had moved in closer from the North-East.

Conditions quite rapidly turned to strong winds and very heavy rain, which I suppose the positive side of things was that it did shower down the salt spray off the trail of 4wd’s and boats as they made they‘re way back down the Island and to head home at the end of the event.

A great time was seen to be had by all, and at the end of the week, prizes were awarded to the winners of the different divisions.

There is a great social feel of interaction between friends and family, and was an enjoyable break away from work in one of the most gorgeous spots that our Country boasts.

Tania & Lee Kernaghan providing great musical entertainment.

Catching up with Lee.

Tony Gall catching up with his favourite country singer
'Tania Kernaghan'!

Highlights of the 'Far NQ Adventure' took the crowd's attention.

T.P assisting with the test track.

A popular part of the event is the test drive track where people get the chance to get
behind the wheel of the different new vehicles themselves. This year gave the the extra
chance to see how the 200 handled towing an off road Kedron van on the sand.

Les from Toyota was such a nice bloke and looked after the visitors at the track.

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Dave watching on with Doug from the DPI setting the fish
free after weighing and measuring for the competitors.

The Parks and Wildlife Rangers were readily at hand to ensure visitors were correctly informed to enjoy their visit while taking care of the Heritage Listed area.

One thing that they emphasised is the fact that some vehicles have been travelling seeds across from the mainland in tyre treads and underneath their vehicles spreading unwanted weeds.

While understanding the importance of water conservation, and most people washing their vehicles down after the salty trip, if you know that there's a good chance your vehicle has travelled off road in grassy areas recently beforehand, to ensure that your vehicle is washed clean underneath would be appreciated by all up there, and would help assist with the limitation of unwanted weeds on the island.

Signs as reminders of precautions needed for the area and it's inhabitants,
adorn the dunes and tracks as valued reminders to visitors.

Ian, Glenn, Rachael and Grant from Yamaha at their display.

Our interview with Danny Hoyland from 4BC

With TP, and Simon Clarke, who coordinates the whole event.

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And T.P, well what can we say!

We felt at home with his company, and togther with his talents on the guitar, and cousin Tony's on the harmonica, filled the nights air with their musical talents.

Thanks for a great time fellas.

Thanks to Ron & Craig from Goodyear also.

It was a very enjoyable stay up there with them.

But you didn't have to look so excited to see us heading home!

Photography - Story - Design - Glen Gall - 2008

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