This map was at the entrance to the red dashed track. We are camped about 400m north of the entrance.

If the bush would allow us we planned to bush bash.

If not the first attempt then the two paths are closer than 400m further west.

So we made ourselves a mud map.

All we would need was a compass and to know our gps coordinates - our phone provides both, and we also have an old magnetic compass.

So we took an opportunity to watch this yellow breasted robin for the few moments it flew around us.

Definitely big.

But lots of big trees standing.

This is one of the clearer parts of our bush bash.

There's a few vines around to impede progress.

Harder were fallen trees. Often across our path. And too big to climb over.

We are about 50m from it.

Rather obviously, we think, a very big tree in a forest of big trees.

Our dead reckoning worked.

We have only a few scratches.

It occurs to us that searching for a needle in a haystack is relatively simple due to the differences between a needle and hay.

Searching for a particular tree in a forest is fundamentally different - but we are pleased we saw the wood through the trees. 

With Ali to show some scale.

Or should I say its a photo of Ali next to a big tree?

The spiralling pattern to the satinay bark is very noticeable.

The tree is more than 1000 years old.

Alis is .....

This is from about 100m along the widish track.

Which is convenient as we've just read a new scientist article about the beneficial effects of awe on mental health.

We think our bush bash was worthwhile.

We couldn't have walked all the long way round and back.

Not as big as the satinay but awesome in a different way.

Its also more than 1000 years old. 

There are no hikers present.

There were though giants of a different kind in residence round about 1990.

This camp was a centre for environmental protestors trying to stop the logging on Fraser Island.

But for those giant people there would probably be no big trees here.

Which we think is a very sobering thought.

Tallowwood we think. At least not satinay.

We don't really need to know what they are labeled in order to be awestruck.

Just that its sometimes nice to see the differences.

Quite deep and a spiral.

The spiral can be in either direction and quite steep sometimes.

There are swamp wallabies on the island.

But probably nearer swamps than the middle of the forest.

Its apparently rain forest. But no permanent water near us as it just drains into the sand.

Just another 2km.

We are back among the scribbly gums.

That is lots more than we intended. We thought about 15 km.

We are not good at estimating.

But we are pleased with ourselves, if somewhat achy and tired.

To celebrate I snuck up on these two rainbow bee eaters that have been teasing us with their presence.