"ELI CREEK" Fraser Island Travelogue by pedroswift

Eli Creek is located 60 kilometres /38 miles from the barge landing point on the southern end of Fraser Island.
Approximate Latitude:Longitude - 25º17'48.00'S ; 153º13'22.00'E
Each day thousands of litres of fresh water flow from the creek into the ocean.
It's a popular stopping spot for a relaxing dip in the shallow water and a good place for both kids and adults to play.
Don't be surprised to see 30 or so cars pulled up there.
The bed of the creek shifts from year to year as storms shift beach sand and heavy rains produce erosion of the creek banks. The creek can form a barrier to beach driving at high tide as wash outs create high banks. The conventional wisdom of driving only two hours either side of low tide is best adhered to. Many a vehicle has been lost by over confident (ie dumb) drivers entering the surf to bypass rocks or to cross the many fresh water washouts not just Eli.

broadwalk takes you - up the creek

Take a walk on the boardwalk. It's only a couple of hundred metres. Stay on the walk. It's there to keep the environment as pristine as possible. Don't head bush. Use the public conveniences provided.

Plenty of local info

Plenty of information at the start of the walk on both Fraser Island eco system and Eli Creek itself. Look for fish in the creek.

Some activities are not an option

click pictures to enlarge

Things you see when you don't have your dark glasses on. Don't be surprised to see Borat look-a-likes; drop bears; beer barrels; ufo's and some high spirited happy campers at Eli.

a prayer to the spirit of Eli Ck

At the end of the board walk. This bloke is either paying homage to the spirit of Eli Creek or giving thanks that he didn't turn out to be a Borat look-a-like.

Keep this wonderful creek clean - cart your rubbish to the nearest rubbish collection station (several along 75 Mile Beach). Respect other users of the creek environment.

Spent several hours at Eli Creek during a fishing trip many moons ago. We had to wait for the tide to drop so we could safely pass along the beach. Surf was pounding on the beach.
The first hour or so was spent assisting a knuckle head who had tried to cross the creek at high tide in his brand new Range Rover towing his brand new pop-top caravan thereby proving an old adage - The intelligence of four wheel drive owners is inversely proportional to the amount of money they spend on their rigs.
This was at night. He had driven into the creek without any reconnaissance by foot beforehand. The vehicle ended with its front wheels in a wash out with water half way up the windscreen. Inside the cab was a total mess as personal belongings got washed out the doors which had been left open as the occupants escaped.
The caravan was floating in the creek being bashed around - alternatively jack-knifing from one side to the other as quite large waves travelled up the creek pushing the considerable fresh water runout. This was slowly panel-beating both the back of the vehicle and the front corners of the van.
The wreck(s) were only retrievable by the concerted efforts of a large group of good Samaritans assisted by two heavy vehicles equipped with electric winches.
This is by no means an unusual event at Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach and other places where the beach is used as a "highway". Rash drivers trying to pass obstructions along the beach lose their vehicles. Many examples are reported each year. See tips on Moreton Island page.
Be aware of the tides. Never enter the surf to pass outside rocks or fallen trees. Plan trips that don't require a "rush" mentality. "I gotta see it all in one day" equals "disaster"!!