K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk – Day 4

Valley of the Giants to Lake Garawongera – 13km

“And that’s one giant tree for mankind”

It’s nice packing up with a group of people in the morning – jokes being made about who was snoring the loudest and who has the most injuries after one day.  Before long though, I bid my goodbyes.

It’s another easy day of walking.  The body appreciates it after the longer day yesterday.  Suddenly, I find that I’ve finally allowed myself to slow down a bit.

I take my time, meandering through the forest, giant trees acting as silent sentinels.  I find myself wondering about them.  How many people have they seen?  How many birds have used them as homes?  How close have they come to being struck down?  And how much longer might they stand proudly as queens of the forest?  They answer none of my questions for me.  Just whisper with their leaves as I pass by.

I go through a patch of white-flowered lemon myrtle.  When I crush the leaf, rub the fragrant oil into my hands and inhale the lemony scent, I am reminded of cooking fresh fish – the leaves of the myrtle and the fish encased in strands of paperbark and roasted in the open fire.  It was the best fish I had ever tasted.

I arrive at the lake and set up camp for the final time.  I’ve been becoming more nostalgic during the day.  I don’t want it to end.  I take all the time in the world to read every bit of signage before making a foray to the lake for a swim.

As many of the other lakes have been, it is still and quiet.  The golden glow of the water refracts the light and the reflection of the surrounding landscape can be seen clearly.  The sand is crisp white and there is a bed of green reeds with a distinctive parting that frames the mountains in the background.  It is so pleasurable just to sit and soak it all in.

I feel happy.  Completely and utterly happy.  The feeling is profound.

I spend the rest of the afternoon picnicking and munching my way through some of the food that is left.  I have more left over after this walk – something I think I can trace back to the couple of beers under my belt when I went shopping for my re-supply back in Rainbow Beach.  Oh well, better to have some left over than be feeling hungry!

Evening falls and I’m at the lake.  Just when I think I’m going to be alone, two young girls show up.  The first thing I think is that is has been so pleasing to see so many women, of all ages, out there hiking and enjoying it.  The second thing is, I’m wondering what they are doing…they have a life straw (a straw which filters water) and they are both knee deep in the lake, bent over and sucking on this thing, all whilst trying not to get wet.  It is, in fact, hilarious to watch, and I surmise that they are fairly new to this past time.

We get to chatting, and talking about the walk.  They are excited and nervous.  There is less people out here than they thought there would be.  They leave me down at the beach and tell me they’ll see me up at camp.

I enjoy my last sunset.  Try not feel sad.  I journey back up to the campsite, and find that I have company!  Despite a large campground with a dozen spare sites, the girls have elected to camp right next to me – less than 10m away!  I can’t help but laugh to myself and I let it slide.  “Karma Mel, karma”.  I tell myself it’s the universe telling me I need to more tolerant and flexible at the campsites.  And honestly, they are quiet as mice all night.