Fraser Island - Swimming on The East Side

TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 09:31

Hi,

Just wanted to get safety opinions from those who've been to fraser island before. The guides and warnings say to not swim on the eastern (pacific ocean) side beaches due to strong rips and alot or sharks. However warnings are always over stated, they also say there have been croc sightings and the dingoes eat everyone so I take it lightly.

How realistic is this danger and I only want opinions from people who have been?

A bit about me.

  1. Very weak swimmer, I can tread water for 15 minutes and then Im done. So if I was to get stuck in a rip, Im gone. However;

  2. My idea of swimming is, sitting down and splashing in knee deep to "maximum" waste deep water. Never any deeper and I rarely go waste deep.

Cheers

Travel Swimming

Comments

  • fantombloo on 28/09/2019 - 09:41

    I only want opinions from people who have been

    Ummm, no.

    • WreckTangle on 28/09/2019 - 10:09

      Because everyone thats been was eaten by a dingo

      • OzzyOzbourne on 30/09/2019 - 09:37

        Nah, crocs ate all the dingos

  • yolo123456789 on 28/09/2019 - 09:54

    I have been, but never swim in areas where they said not to. Are you asking the people who have actually done it?

    If you are a very weak swimmer, it's not going to make too much of a difference whether the sharks etc are there or not I think

  • tre180 on 28/09/2019 - 09:55
    +2

    Spent 3 days on Fraser, cant remember seeing anyone in the water on the eastern side. If you fancy a swim go to the interior lakes. Oh and people have been eaten by crocs while wading in knee deep surf before! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/friend-dragged-off-beach-by-cro…

    • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 15:39

      Fair enough, lakes it may be. Do uou remember if they are a long drive inland?

      • Jcww on 29/09/2019 - 09:15
        +1

        Bugger me. Crocs at Fraser? Shit. Must be all of those boab trees from the Kimberley that creates the right environment for them and the irikanji.

        But be sure to watch out for drop bears. They’re the ones to really watch out for. Horny as dolphins, will drop out of the sky and ream you up the ass.

  • qwerty-4321 on 28/09/2019 - 09:58
    +6

    I only want opinions from people who have been

    I think you'll need an Ouija board.

  • CC123 on 28/09/2019 - 09:58

    Haven't been there in quite a while however I don't think I did swim in the ocean much as the waves were quite dumpy and the chance of encountering sharks.

    From memory, there are quite a few lakes (a particular creek that is quite long meaning you can just lie down in an inflatable ring/doughnut and it will take you to the end - there should be a man-built wooden walkway heading to the start)

    Edit: Referring to this creek

    As for crocs, I would not worry, I have never seen one at Fraser and I don't think they would be this far south (could be wrong).

    Now as for dingoes, yes you need to be careful regarding them and no they don't eat everyone. Just avoid them, don't approach or pat them, stay in groups, don't feed them and keep an eye on your children (if you have any)

    Another thing you should be worried about is snakes, they love the hot sand especially since the weather is heating up. Make sure you check where you walk!

    Stay safe!

    • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 15:38

      Thanks for the advice ! Ill definitely check that out as its on the way to our accomodation.

  • timthetoolman on 28/09/2019 - 10:04
    +10

    Rips, sharks, crocs, weak swimmer. You've answered your own question.
    It sounds like what you're after is a bath.

    • payton on 28/09/2019 - 11:30
      +1

      he just needs to be tethered to a stake on the shoreline, all good

  • Tiffany57 on 28/09/2019 - 10:26
    +4

    Yes, I've been many times and the ocean has always looked as rough as guts and completely uninviting. Apart from the sharks and rips, crossing the beach 'road' with the incessant 4WD traffic, which you can't hear over the sound of crashing waves can be risky. The beach is great for fishing, but that's about it.
    So, why not give the beach a miss and visit some of the glorious freshwater lakes for swimming instead? They are shallow, pristine and have blindingly white silica sand. My favourite is Lake Birrabeen (like Lake Mackenzie but without the crowds)
    Have fun…Fraser Island is beautiful!

    • MITM on 28/09/2019 - 11:15

      I agree Tiff, you're more likely to get killed by a 4WD than drown sitting in knee deep water. But seriously, the lakes are where you should spend your time and can't you get to the east coast from your home in Sydney most other days ?

    • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 15:36

      Makes sense. We will be around the Orchid beach area. Is that also busy with vehicles? … Im just looking for a way to not drive 1 hour for a swim as our little one hates the car. Were the lakes easy to get too? Thanks for the advice !

      • rumchaser on 29/09/2019 - 08:13

        When we were camping at waddy point 2016 there was a big tidal lagoon out front that filled on high tide was great for swimming about 3ft deep
        Not sure if it will be there now though .

  • [Deactivated] on 28/09/2019 - 12:03
    +1

    troll thread no one could be that stupid

    • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 15:32
      -1

      If you followed every warning, you wouldnt leave the house.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/09/2019 - 19:14
        +3

        I am a surfer so no the risks, if you want to swim go to north Stradbroke island forget Frazer. Sound like the local kids pool might more your level lol.

        • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 20:17
          -3

          troll thread no one could be that stupid. I am a surfer so no the risks,

          You 'no' nothing silly.

  • EFC94 on 28/09/2019 - 13:53
    +3

    I've seen first hand the size of sharks in the water on the eastern side. I can assure you they aren't something you wanna go swimming with.

    • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 15:33

      Yea fair enough, I was wondering if they'd come so close to the shore. Most beach fisherman fish in knee deep?

      • zambuck on 29/09/2019 - 07:46

        As a kid I spent every school holiday on Fraser. I've certainly seen sharks swimming behind fishermen who are standing thigh-deep in water, but frankly I wouldn't be too worried about sharks. As for the rips, your main risk would be unexpectedly getting out of your depth. Pick a spot on the beach, usually wherever you leave your towel, as a starting point. Stand in the surf about knee level and feel which way the water goes when the wave is going out. If you really feel the pull of the water then that's a bad spot for you. Move along 5-10 metres and try again. Once you've found a sweet spot note your location in relation to the beach. Stick in the same area and keep reassessing that pull of the water. Some days you won't find a sweet spot so don't go swimming that day. Ultimately just be cautious and you'll probably be just fine.

  • Some Guy on 28/09/2019 - 21:35
    +1

    I grew up in the area and have spent plenty of time on Fraser, including swimming on the ocean side. You'll be fine frollicking in the manner you describe as swimming. There are sharks, as there are in many popular spots in Australia, but I don't recall any attacks. Try to frollick with others to reduce the likelihood of you being eaten. Learn to identify rips and stay of water that scares you.

    • TheBilly on 28/09/2019 - 22:05

      Thats what I figured. Beach fisherman are always knee deep, so surely the risk warnings are way overstated for liability reasons? I'd only stay knee to maximum waist deep. The problem is I dont want to keep having to go inland to lakes for a swim while staying on the beach. I'll definitely try busier areas and swimming in a group. How about the gutters that form at low tide? assuming their perfectly safe.

  • onetwothreefour on 28/09/2019 - 23:16
    +1

    The only time I've seen a shark in the wild was when I went to fraser island, we went up a place, I think it was called indian head and looked down into the sea and big shark was swimming about. I dipped my feet in the water one morning but it didn't look like a sea I would want to swim in, stick to the lakes.

    We also had a dingo come up to our camp but it got scared and ran off pretty quickly.

    Still my favourite place I've visited in Oz.

  • Mikeyphoto48 on 29/09/2019 - 07:30
    +2

    Fraser Island is beautiful,,, I’ve been there quite a few times and taken groups of seniors there,, paddle in the surf by all means, but if you are a weak swimmer it would be stupid to go further than your knees, Lots of fishermen use the beach and I’ve only ever seen 1 or 2 up to their waist while fishing. The surf is strong and often treacherous. the inland lakes especially lake McKenzie are gorgeous, a deep blue colour due to the unique minerals, as it’s all sand the drive is a track from wherever you are staying., probably 20/30 minutes. Take the time to see the rainforest area’s beautiful….Have fun it’s an amazing place

  • BobD on 29/09/2019 - 07:31

    Crocs are occasionally spotted in the Mary River which is on the other side of Fraser Island. The southern take off point for the barge to Fraser is Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach. There used to be a sign at Inskip Point warning about crocs. If you park at Inskip and if the crocs don't get you then the suddenly occurring sinkholes on the beach might. Stick to swimming in the lakes on Fraser.
    Read this http://sandystraitsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2013/08/inskip-poi…

  • rumchaser on 29/09/2019 - 08:08

    Last time up there we climbed Indian head there were a few sharks swimming in the water I personally wouldn’t swim there when you have champagne pools lakes and Eli creek to swim in

    • TheBilly on 29/09/2019 - 18:51

      Fair enough, I just have a big treck to all the ideal spots. Probably shouldve researched before booking. Was there any good spots close to Indian head? as we will be at Orchid

      • rumchaser on 29/09/2019 - 22:55

        There was a tidal lagoon out front of the waddy point beach camping when we were there quite big and about 3 ft deep hard to say if it will still be there .
        I went in the surf to about knee deep while fishing we also walked the beach to champagne pools I wouldn’t recommend that though lol .
        There’s another lake just up from orchid beach called ocean lake it’s not clear like lake McKenzie.
        We stayed at waddy the first time and had a great time not as busy up that end no backpacking tours up that far .
        We now stay down near cathedrals next time we will stay closer to Eurong

  • munecito on 29/09/2019 - 09:16
    +1

    Why would you want to swim in waste water?

    • TheBilly on 29/09/2019 - 18:49

      Is it? I thought the holidays homes sewage had to go somewhere lol… Deep down I hoped it was septic

      • munecito on 30/09/2019 - 08:55
        +2

        You said you go waste deep.

  • HeWhoKnows on 29/09/2019 - 13:18
    +1

    Reply from a highly experienced life saver………..

    So This is OP………

    "A bit about me.

    Very weak swimmer, I can tread water for 15 minutes and then Im done. So if I was to get stuck in a rip, Im gone. However;

My idea of swimming is, sitting down and splashing in knee deep to "maximum" waste deep water. Never any deeper and I rarely go waste deep."

    And Op wants to go to the other side of the island where its obviously very dangerous. Reason: The east side is fully exposed to the big surf. Its common sense.
    Apart from everything else thats there

    No wonder such irresponsible people always get into trouble and cost our life living community thousands of dollars and put other people lives at risk.

    Dear OP
    Do us all a favour in swim in the pool - One with a life guard on duty!

    • TheBilly on 29/09/2019 - 18:48

      I am an adult and have been going to beaches my entire life so swimming at a beach is not my concern. My concern is will sharks come and attack in 0.5m of water? Can you shed some light on shark attacks you have been involved in and whether they were typically that close to shore?

      • momov3 on 29/09/2019 - 20:16

        Wow, you ARE persistent. I've been reading all the helpful and constructive replies yet you keep wanting further assurances that sharks will actually attack in shallow water. I would imagine the people who have been involved in shark attacks in 0.5m of water may be dead hence not able to answer your question.

  • profar on 29/09/2019 - 23:07

    Silly Billy most shark attacks occur in shallow water so tread there at your peril .

    Why because that where most people are when the sharks encounter them.

    Sorry I’m an expert of common sense.

  • gyrex on 30/09/2019 - 08:56
    +1

    I took a day trip and drove along the beach from Noosa to Rainbow Beach yesterday and was swimming and body surfing with a mate at Teewah Beach (just south of Fraser Island). No sharks or rips. Swam and body surfed on the eastern beaches of Fraser Island last time I was there and had no issues. Like most warnings, they're usually meant for Asian or Indian tourists who can't swim and/or to provide some mitigation of responsibility if something goes wrong. There's no lifeguards but if you've grown up around the surf, you'll be fine. The water is absolutely pristine and crystal clear. Saw some whales breaching with dolphins in tow. Tonnes of ospreys, Eagles and falcons around too - photographer's wet dream.

    • TheBilly on 30/09/2019 - 09:15
      -1

      Thanks for the feedback. Generally the warnings are an overstatement. But Ill definitely be careful. I'll do most swimming close to other people.

    • momov3 on 30/09/2019 - 14:15

      You've just given TheBilly the thumbs up to sign his own death warrant without recourse unless he happens to be an 'Asian or Indian'.

      • TheBilly on 30/09/2019 - 15:26

        I ride a motorbike and drive a car, I also used to smoke.

        I'll report back after the trip lol

  • Tiffany57 on 30/09/2019 - 09:37
    +1

    Most 4WD rental companies don't allow their vehicles to be driven further North than Indian Head, so I imagine the beach would be quieter up at Orchid Beach.
    The Champagne Pools are also relatively close (15 min) and are perfect for safe ocean swimming.
    Some good info here: https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/qld/fraser-coast/orchid-beach…

    • TheBilly on 30/09/2019 - 15:27

      I did read about the champagne pools which are close, so will probably spend my swimming time there to be honest.

  • mezje on 30/09/2019 - 09:46
    +2

    Very weak swimmer, I can tread water for 15 minutes and then Im done. So if I was to get stuck in a rip, Im gone.

    Listen to yourself, I have swam on the east side and rips are not to be messed with and nobody will come to help you. If you can barely swim you should not be swimming anywhere other than between the flags, very simple. If you want to sit on the shore, do that, it's NOT swimming.

    Plenty goes wrong at Fraser Island and it shouldn't be taken lightly. When we were there we found some Italian tourists who had been bogged for around 8hrs with no food or water on them.

    • TheBilly on 30/09/2019 - 15:29
      +1

      I've grossly undersold my swimming abilities. I thought treading water/swimming for 15 minutes was decent, turns out I am borderline retarded lol

      • mezje on 30/09/2019 - 18:58
        +1

        I know in VIC swim school was mandatory when I was a kid. Swimming is really something that should be taken seriously, lots of people die all around Australia due to being stuck in rips and not being able to swim well.

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