We decided to take the Pajero to Fraser Island for some sand driving and a visit to the fresh water lake MacKenzie.  We drove to Tewantin to access the beach and drove off along Cooloola Beach heading to Wide Bay and the town of Rainbow Beach where we would be able to pick up the barge to Fraser Island.  High tide was around 9.30am and we hit the beach about an hour later.  The sea was still breaking high up the sand so the driving surface was very soft and the numerous tiny creek crossings we had to negotiate were tricky with ruts and holes difficult to see.  The day was absolutely superb and warm – beach campers were out in full force and the water’s edge was full of surf fishers and swimmers.  Some of the camping set-ups were serious and long term with shower blocks and heaps of solar panels for power.  We took Leisha Track across to Wide Bay but there was not enough beach to drive on directly to Rainbow Beach.  We turned back and headed for Freshwater Track - an alternative route to Rainbow Beach. The access from the beach to these tracks was through very deep soft sand so we stopped to let our tyres down to around 15 pounds to give us the grip we’d need.  Keeping up momentum the Pajero handled the soft conditions well.  Freshwater Track was some 11kms of bone jarring corrugations and all 6 passengers were very grateful when we pulled onto the beach again and met the Manta Ray sea barge.  The barge leaves from Inskip Point (north of Rainbow Beach and sheltering the entrance to Tin Can Bay). A pleasant 10 minute ride got us to the island, the operators of the barge dropped the ramp and we rolled off onto the sand again. We had planned to drive up the eastern side of the island but the tide again prevented us from simply staying on the beach, leaving us no option but the corrugated road from hell for several kilometres before we could get back to the beach.  Once on the sand again we headed up the beach to the Eurong Resort for lunch before heading inland through the forest to Lake MacKenzie.  It had taken us several hours to reach Fraser Island and we had to keep an eye on the time so as not to miss the last barge off at 5.30pm.  Roads through the island are simply sand tracks leading through a lush semi tropical rainforest with vines, palms, ferns and various species of trees.  The road to Lake Mackenzie was about 13kms of climbing up and down sandy hills, bumping through severe pot holes and depressions that were often disguised by shadows from the trees.  Needless to say the going was very slow particularly when we had to pull over for oncoming traffic.  The Pajero took the going with 6 people very well with no problems at all, which gave us all a feeling of confidence considering the conditions.  Eventually we arrived at the Lake Mackenzie car park which looked like an RV convention including the many large four wheel drive tour buses toting tourists into the area.  We were glad to pile out and get down to the lake which was a magnificent expanse of blue clear water and a wide white sand beach.  It was crowded with American college kids playing ball in the shallows and a pile of Aussie visitors taking advantage of the warm clear water.  Dingo signs were present everywhere warning people not to consume food on the beaches, but beer it seemed was okay!  Keeping an eye on the time, we could only afford a quick dip and a few photos before our drive back to the barge.  Reluctantly we left the lake and trekked back to the ferry pick- up with 10 minutes to spare.  The sun was creeping down towards the horizon and pelicans paddled in the shallows near us as we were waiting to be picked up.  It was the perfect time for some more photos.  Just a day trip to Fraser Island turned out to be a fairly expensive exercise.  The 10min ferry ride cost us $80 return and a permit to go onto the island was $34.  It would probably make more sense to stay on the island for a few days to get your money’s worth.