Day 2

approx 15 kms, 5 hours

Following a 10 minute drive north along the beach then inland to the Lake Wabby carpark you will take a short stroll to the Lake Wabby lookout with spectacular views over the east coast beach, Pacific Ocean, the enormous Hammerstone Sandblow and across to the barrage lake, Lake Wabby. Lake Wabby is the deepest of the island’s lakes at 11metres and has the largest fish of any lake. It’s a short descent to the campground and we head south through some of the most spectacular tall open forest in the island’s southern lakes area including denser blackbutt forest (Eucalyptus pilularis) and the tiny palm forest of Piccabeen Palms.

Much of this trail is travelling along an old tramline track. Just before the M7 junction take a left turn, south-east, continue on through cool, shady rainforest into the spectacular satinay (Syncarpia hillii) forest of Pile Valley and descend to the banks of crystal clear Wanggoolba Creek.

Follow the boardwalk to enjoy the beauty of the creek, the majesty of the King Fern (Angiopteris evicta) and perhaps spy the gorgeous blue Azure kingfisher or the catfish eel darting amongst the shore plants.Out of the gully it’s a short walk to historical Central Station. Read about the nature, history and culture of the island before we join the support vehicle for the short drive to our accommodation.