A serene beach holiday is the main attraction of Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland.
– Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
Vacation ideas
Fraser Island
Islands Queensland are in the lead as the coolest ideas for relaxation. They provide an opportunity to spend a holiday as if in paradise, and at the same time introduce us to nature. Queensland certainly has exciting natural resources, which he is ready to reveal to the traveler, but this development costs a pretty penny. Therefore, the ideas for relaxation that I propose must be carefully considered. is no exception, but we will try to minimize costs.
Fraser Island located at south coast Queensland, approximately 200 kilometers north of Brisbane. Stretching 120 kilometers in length and approximately 7 to 23 kilometers in length wide place, it is considered the largest sand island in the world (area 1840 km²), because. arose as a result of centuries of erosion.
– Low Tide, Fraser Island
– Shore, view from an airplane, Fraser Island
– East Coast, Fraser Island
Turquoise waves, long golden beaches, unspoiled nature, just paradise. By the way, translated from the language Butchulla, the aborigines who lived in these areas before European colonization, the name Fraser Islands was - K'gari, which meant "paradise" or "heavenly".
For a short period the island was known as the "Big Sand Island». Modern name island is associated with the name of the legendary captain James Fraser, whose ship “Stirling Castle” was wrecked off the coast of the island in 1836 and the surviving sailors landed ashore.
The island has outstanding natural beauty with rainforests, eucalyptus trees, mangrove forests and peat swamps, dunes and coastal heaths. There are more than 250 kilometers of sunny sandy beaches with long, uninterrupted stretches of ocean, including more than 40 kilometers of strikingly colored cliffs. In the interior of the island are the majestic remains of a tall tropical forest growing on high dunes, a unique phenomenon.
– Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island
– Wanggoolba Creek
Sand on Fraser Island accumulated over approximately 750,000 years on a volcanic base that provides natural drainage for sediment. These dunes move across the island, often covering forests and other vegetation. The rate of movement of the dunes each year depends on various factors, such as wind strength, amount of humidity, and, in fact, the plants themselves in the sand. These dunes gradually stop moving when they reach areas protected from the winds.
The dunes that make up the island were formed about 400 thousand years ago and have a height of up to 240 m. There are more than 40 fresh “hanging” lakes, which is one of geographical features islands. This is unusual for a sandy island, which is washed on all sides by ocean waters. The most large lake covers an area of about 200 hectares, its name is Lake Boemingen. The western coast of Fraser is occupied by mangrove forests and swamps, the eastern (facing the ocean) is a beach of fairly white sand about 100 km long. The most popular and accessible lake for swimming (you need to walk three kilometers through the forest and dunes) is Lake Wabbi, the deepest on the island (12 meters).
– Dunes, Fraser Island
Most of the island, which contains intact tropical rainforests (about 1,645 km²), is part of National Park Great Sandy National Park. Freshwater turtles live in well-warmed lakes, and the wild dog Dingo can be found on land. It is strictly forbidden to feed dingos on the island (fine from $3000) and you must follow certain rules when meeting them, which the guides will tell you about or read about on the park’s website.
– Wild dingo on the beach at sunset, Fraser Island
– Dingo on the beach
Excursion opportunities on the island are limited, but quite interesting. In Happy Valley you can explore the wreck of the Makhino, a luxury trans-Tasman passenger airliner, built in 1905 in Scotland. During the First World War it was converted into a floating hospital. The ship was sold to the Japanese for scrap in 1935 and during transport was caught in a storm that washed it ashore on Fraser Island. All attempts to save the ship failed and it was decided to leave it on the island.
– “Makhino” (S.S. Maheno)
– Sand Dunes or Sandblows, Fraser Island
The abandoned McKenzie Landing originally served as a connection between loggers and the mainland, and was used by the famous Z Force during World War II. Nowadays deforestation is prohibited on the island.
You can get to the island by ferry connecting the mainland and Moon Point. The island is separated from the mainland by a series of narrow, constantly changing straits, which together form Great Sandy Strait and you can get to the island from three main points - the main stream travels on ferries from the town Hervey Bay– official “gate” to Fraser Island, there is a crossing from River Heads and the most southern route– ferry from the sandbar Inskip Point in the vicinity of the town Rainbow Beach.
IN Hervey Bay you can use the company's services Fraser Island Barges and ferry Kingfisher Bay Ferry for $175 (car and 3 passengers, price during peak season)
The western coast of the island is not very suitable for driving a heavy SUV, but the eastern coast is just a real highway. If you go deeper into the island, the roads turn into sticky sandy tracks, where getting stuck in bad weather is a matter of just a few minutes.
– “Champagne Pools” – in this place the reef forms protected rock niches where the wave rushes, rolling over the edge of the rock, forming clouds of foam. This is the only place on Fraser Island where you can safely swim in ocean water.
– Indian Head – a rock jutting out of the sand at the northern end of 75 Mile Beach
Swim on eastern beaches Not recommended. The thing is that the dominant direction of the wind and, as a result, the waves create very insidious underwater vortices that begin to be pulled into the ocean - a reverse current. There are no lifeguards here. Besides, Fraser Island- This is the place where the two largest tiger sharks were caught. You can swim in the ocean only in one place in the north of the island - Champagne Pools.
Fraser is one of the resort islands of Australia; it consists entirely of sand, and this is its uniqueness.
Located along east coast across the channel from Hervey Bay.
In the Aboriginal language Fraser is called "Kgari-rai".
This is fair - wide and clean sandy beaches, tropical forests and flowering heather meadows under clear blue skies suggest just such a comparison.
Fraser is considered the world's largest sand island. It stretches for more than 110 km in length, up to 23 km in width, and the sand dunes of the island are its attraction. These natural structures reach a height of almost 250 meters. In addition, they are absolutely white and against the green background of the forests covering the island they look almost like snow.
Fraser got its name thanks to a couple of Europeans who were shipwrecked off the shores of this lost in warm waters. Pacific Ocean islands. It must be said that in those days - 1836 - relations between the aborigines and Europeans were quite aggressive, so the local tribes were not too happy about such a neighborhood. As a result, the Fraser couple were held captive by the Aborigines for some time. In 1992, Fraser became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and received the status nature reserve. Despite this, it is very popular among tourists and travelers.
Surprisingly, this island, washed on all sides by the salty ocean, has quite a lot of fresh lakes. They are called “hanging” because they seem to hang between the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean. There are more than 100 of them. One of them is Lake Mackenzie, located in the forests 100 meters above sea level. This is the most beautiful fresh lake. The water in it is formed only from precipitation. It is almost distilled, so no freshwater organisms can live in it. But around the lake there is a snow-white beach of pure quartz sand.
And the largest of them is Boemingen, which is approximately 200 hectares in size. The water in the lake is cool and fresh, which is in sharp contrast to the Australian climate - for the most part hot. This is why Boemingen is so popular among tourists.
Palm trees, mangroves and bamboo, and tropical rain forest also grow on the shore of the lake.
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Today, the indigenous population of the island is only 400 people, 11 of whom are descendants of the very tribes that held the Fraser couple captive. It should be noted that a few years after the captivity of the shipwrecked Europeans, colonialists from European countries came to Fraser and formed many new settlements. Of course, the natives were against such interference, and a war broke out. The unequal enemy forces simply destroyed the small and weakly armed army of the Australian tribes. Almost the entire local population was destroyed. Now Fraser is just a place of entertainment for tourists, where tourist complex: hotel, motel, swimming pool, bar, shop and cafe. You can get to the island by small plane, but it is better to rent a car on the mainland and cross on a barge. Having your own wheels, you can get to know the island much better.
Fraser differs from the rest of Australia in having a milder climate; the island's nature is rich and varied due to the large amount of moisture. In the western part of the island there are mangroves and swamps, the east is a string of beautiful sandy beaches, and in the northern part of Fraser there is national park Great Sandy.
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Because the vegetable world Fraser is quite diverse, and the animals live there are very different. For example, several species of turtles are found in fresh lakes. In the forest you can see bats and foxes, as well as representatives of classic Australian fauna: possums and wallabies, echidnas and dingoes. In order to observe animals in their natural habitat, tourists are offered canoe trips. In addition to the wildlife, it is not difficult to spot electric rays, sharks and dolphins in the waters surrounding the boat. The migration routes of humpback whales swimming in the island also pass by Fraser Island - these animals can be observed from August to October.
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The world of birds will also not disappoint ornithology lovers. The Fraser is home to approximately 354 species of birds, 18 of which are considered raptors. You can also see such rare birds as the spiny-legged owl and the ground parrot.
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Since the tourism infrastructure of Fraser is quite developed, tourists, in addition to comfortable beach holiday, a variety of sports entertainment is offered, some of which are extreme. For example, surfing or bodyboarding along sand dunes followed by a noisy dive into the lake. The program of active entertainment also includes a four-wheel drive ride along the coast, where you can admire the Cathedral Rocks - amazing and majestic piles of multi-colored sand. Mini planes fly over miles of beaches, and small boats float tourists down the rushing Ely Creek straight to the ocean. Many travelers come to Fraser Island just to go sailing and observe marine life in their natural environment.
Sightseeing tours on the island usually include Happy Valley, where the wreck of the Makhino ship is located. This hulk was built in 1905 and served first as a transatlantic liner and later, during the First World War, as a floating hospital. The ship was later washed ashore on Fraser Beach during a cyclone.
To preserve the island's ecosystem, the population of Fraser actively promotes wild or green tourism, which involves overnight stays and living in the open air or in a tent and moving around the island in an off-road jeep. This method of travel allows you to admire the untouched beauty of Fraser's nature without harming the ecology of one of the most amazing islands in the world.
Fraser is a sandy island off the east coast of Australia, separated from the mainland by vast swampy areas. The Aborigines who inhabited this island before the arrival of Europeans called it Kgari, which means “paradise”. And they can be understood - the place is truly heavenly: snow-white sands, mangroves, lakes and exotic flora and fauna.
The island received its modern name from the surname of Captain Fraser, who was shipwrecked off these shores and, together with his wife, was forced to settle there.
Fraser is the world's largest sand island. He is on the List world heritage UNESCO as a unique natural site.
How to get there
Closest to Fraser Island international Airport is located in Brisbane. There are no direct flights from Russia; a round trip flight with one transfer costs from 1017 USD per person. Next from Brisbane - to the small town of Hervey Bay on the coast. There are many ways: plane, several trains, buses or a rented car.
The fastest way is by plane. The journey will take just over 2 hours, the ticket price starts from 110 USD per person one way. You'll spend about the same amount on a train ticket that takes 4.5 hours. More slow train(6.5 hours one way) will cost half as much. Most a budget option- this is a bus, one-way ticket costs from 30 USD per person.
There are piers in Hervey Bay from which barges depart several times a day for the Fraser (approx. 6:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.). Tickets cost about 60 USD per person and can be purchased at the pier.
A barge ticket alone is not enough to get to Fraser Island. A special permit is also required. It is issued by default if you rent a jeep at the Hervey Bay resort, or if you have a reservation at any of the hotels on the island.
Search for flights to Fraser Island
Hotels
There are several hotels and guest houses for tourists on the island. The average cost of a night in a hotel is about 100 USD per day for a double room. Hotels are usually located in a picturesque location, with a swimming pool, garden, gazebos and other amenities on site. Guest houses a little cheaper: from 70 USD per night for a double room, the location is also excellent, but there may not be a swimming pool or an area with a garden.
Beaches of Fraser Island
The Fraser Coast has more than 100 km of sandy beaches. Most of them are wild, but even on popular beaches there is practically no tourist infrastructure. Swimming in completely deserted places is not recommended, since they are deserted for a reason: there may be sand dunes, dangerous currents, jellyfish, dingoes and other not very pleasant neighborhoods. The most popular beaches among tourists are Orchid, Indian Head (so called for its intricately rugged coastline), Cathedral, quartz sand beach and Happy Valley beaches.
It is much safer to relax on the shores of freshwater lakes. There are more than 40 of them on the island, the most famous of which is the bright blue Lake Mackenzie. Nobody lives in it - the water in the lake is distilled. There are always a lot of people here (a lot by local standards - in any European beach resort the beaches are much more crowded), and if you want to enjoy absolute silence, you should arrive before 16:00, when buses with tourists are already heading back.
Entertainment and excursions
People come to Fraser primarily to relax on the snow-white beaches and observe wildlife. In the west there are mangroves and swamps, in the east there is sand, and in the north there are rugged equatorial forests (Great Sandy National Park is also located there).
Not only is the vegetation diverse, but also animal world. Sea turtles live in local freshwater lakes, and the wild dingo dog lives in large numbers on land. She is not wild in the full sense of the word: she was already domesticated once, but after that she went wild again. Dingoes can be found almost anywhere on the island, they live peacefully in their packs and are never the first to attack people. But it’s better not to bother them: they will certainly defend their territory. The local forests are home to about 350 species of birds, many of which are protected, such as the ground parrot and the spiny owl.
Day and night excursions can be booked directly at the hotel to get a closer look at the nature of the island. Another option is to go on a boat trip and see sharks, dolphins, humpback whales and other marine life up close. At night you can see bats, foxes and many colorful frogs.
Humpback whale migrations can be seen on Fraser Island from August to October.
There are no cultural or historical attractions on the island, but tourists are usually impressed by the huge pyramids of household waste, consisting mainly of fishing gear and boat wrecks. In Happy Valley you can still see the wreckage of the ship Makhino, which sank off the coast of the island during the First World War, and visit the abandoned MacKenzie pier, where the Zed assault force was based during the Second World War. Preserved on the Moon Cape sacred place, where Aboriginal women gave birth to children.
Most of the entertainment offered on the island is active. You can ride a jeep along the sandy Cathedral Rocks or fly over them in a mini-plane, raft down the Ely Creek River and go out to open ocean, ride a yacht and go fishing. You'll probably have to dig for the worms yourself, but it's very easy: after low tide they lie right on the shore.
Traveling around Fraser Island
Flora and fauna
The western coast of the island is occupied by mangrove forests and swamps, and the eastern coast, facing the ocean, is a white sandy beach about 100 km long. The northern Fraser region retains intact equatorial rainforests. The island's fauna is also interesting. Small, well-warmed lakes are home to freshwater turtles, and the wild dog Dingo is found on land. And this is not all the flora and fauna of Fraser Island.
Guided by a ranger, tourists can observe raptors and electric rays during a canoe trip, and on the island itself, more than 354 species of birds. These people live here rare species birds like the ground parrot, the great spine-footed owl, and 18 species of birds of prey. While sailing, you can see dugongs, turtles, dolphins and sharks. While walking the beaches and Indian Head, you can witness the migration of humpback whales from August to October. And when you go on a night journey, you will meet a bat, a flying fox, a sugar glider and a frog. On the island you should also definitely get acquainted with the life of kangaroos, wallabies, possums and echidnas.
Island name
This charming island got its name from married couple James and Eliza Fraser. In 1836, the ship Stirling Castle, captained by James Fraser, was wrecked off the coast of the island, and the surviving sailors went ashore. Relations between the Aborigines and Europeans were hostile and even aggressive. And today travelers listen with interest to the exciting story about the strong woman Eliza, who survived the death of her husband and newborn child and was captured by the aborigines.
For tourists
On Fraser Island, history is literally in the air. Wild flowers can trace 700 thousand years of evolution, and huge sand dunes can trace centuries of climate change. Travelers will be interested in seeing with their own eyes the hills formed by the household waste of primitive people, fishing gear, notches on trees and parking sites that are at least 5 thousand years old.
Visiting the colorful Arch Rocks, you will see the place where Aboriginal men played the didgeridoo for migrating humpback whales, as well as Moon Patch, a sacred place for women where they gave birth to children. What awaits true explorers in Happy Valley is the wreck of the steamship Makhino, built in 1905 and serving as a luxury trans-Tasman passenger ship, later as a floating hospital during the First World War, and then washed ashore during a cyclone. Visit the abandoned MacKenzie Landing, which originally served as a connection between loggers and the mainland and was used by the famous Z Force during World War II. So, step by step, the rich history of the island will be revealed.
After all the amazing discoveries, you can stay in an environmentally friendly boarding house and treat yourself to a wellness massage, exotic cocktails and gourmet dishes, or enjoy the privacy of a house overlooking the coast. The island has many hotels and individual cottages with magnificent views of the ocean and surrounding area. And for a complete reunification with nature, you can pitch a tent in one of the following places: in the tourist camp at the Central Parking Lot, at Lakes Bumanjin, Lake McKenzie, Dundubara, Waddy Point, Watoomba, Dilli Village, on Cathedral Beach or on the eastern beach.
Having been on Fraser Island for at least a day, no one has any doubt why it is called “paradise”. Hundreds of freshwater lakes with turquoise and clear waters, ancient tropical forests, snow-white quartz beaches - all this creates a unique magical landscape, looking at which you can forget about everything.
The charming island, lost in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of Australia, got its name thanks to the married couple James and Eliza Fraser. Before European colonization, several thousand Aborigines lived on the island, who called it K'gari, which translated from the Butchulla language means "paradise" or "heavenly." In 1836, the ship "Stirling Castle", captained by James Fraser, was wrecked off shores of the island, and the surviving sailors landed ashore. Locals They treated strangers quite hostilely. The relationship between the Aborigines and Europeans was very aggressive.
Fraser is the world's largest sand island. Its length is just over 110 km, and its width is from 7 to 23 km. Administratively, the island belongs to the Australian state of Queensland. At the end of the last century, in 1992, Fraser received the status of a nature reserve and was noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the island is very popular among tourists.
One of Fraser's geographical features is its abundance of freshwater lakes, which is quite unusual for a sandy island that is washed on all sides by ocean waters. The largest lake covers an area of about 200 hectares, its name is Lake Boemingen. Its cool, blue-blue water is refreshing and makes it possible to forget about the hot Australian sun for a while, which is why tourists often relax on the shores of the lake. In addition, Fraser has the famous majestic sand dunes, the height of which reaches 240 meters. The island attracts tourists with its beauty, mild climate, well-developed infrastructure and many archaeological artifacts that have cult significance for the local population.
Great Sandy National Park is open in the northern part of the island. West Coast covered with swamps and dense mangrove forests. The east coast has more than a hundred kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches, somewhat reminiscent of the famous Brazilian Copacabana.
The island's flora and fauna are diverse: evergreen jungles grow on sandy soils, and several species of turtles live in warm fresh lakes. In the forest there are bats, including flying foxes, opossums, wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas, and dingoes. For those who like to watch animals in their natural habitat, canoe trips will be interesting, during which tourists will see dolphins, sharks, and electric stingrays. From late summer until October, you can see the migration of humpback whales sailing to South Antarctica. Ornithologists and those who love birds will be interested in local rare feathered representatives: the spiny owl, the ground parrot. Currently, the island is home to 354 bird species, 18 of which are raptors.
Lovers extreme sports they can try their hand at surfing or choose an unusual entertainment - bodyboarding on sand dunes, from which you can immediately jump into the lake, exploding the water surface with thousands of refreshing splashes.
Local residents are making every effort to promote green tourism. To preserve the island’s ecosystem, “wild” tourism is actively promoted here. Of course, adherents comfortable rest can live in one of cozy hotels with excellent service. But most tourists still want to get to Fraser to challenge wildlife: pitch a tent in the dense jungle, swim in lakes, travel exclusively by off-road jeep and observe the natural, untouched beauty of one of the most mysterious and amazing islands on the planet.
Fraser Island
I'm posting photos from Fraser Island, where we went at the end of December. This is the largest sand island in the world - its dimensions are 120 km long, 24 km wide. There are no roads on the island, so the most popular way to get around here is by jeep.
— homo-ludenus, 23 Jan 2014, 08:00
Fraser Island
The next day we took a ferry to Fraser Island, where we had booked a two-day tour. The island itself is sand dunes; there are no usual roads there (especially asphalt ones), so movement is only possible in all-wheel drive vehicles specially prepared for sand.
— happy-yozhik, 15 Apr 2013, 23:41
The largest sand island in the world
Fraser Island is entirely given over to the island of the same name. natural Park- a unique combination of dunes, tropical rainforest, crystal clear cries (please, without bad associations - hereinafter the cry is from the Australian “creek” - river, stream, etc.) and the habitat of an isolated population of red dingoes.
— kaihopara, 22 Apr 2012, 01:01
Fraser Island, day three
So, in the morning we found the sun shining in all its subtropical glory and were terribly happy, because that day we had to swim in the Champagne Pool and walk along the stone booms protruding into the ocean, from which you can see how the latter “breathes”.
— raevskaya-o, 17 Apr 2011, 04:00
Fraser Island, day two
On the second day, a visit to the green Lake Wabby was planned. We thought for a long time about how to get there without getting too shaken up. Deep sand, ditches and ruts, knee-deep mud, tree roots and stones - on the first day we got a real forest 4WD track.
— raevskaya-o, 14 Apr 2011, 00:53
Fraser Island, day one
Every trip to Fraser Island is a holiday for me, I don’t even know why. Staying on this island gives you a feeling of complete isolation from reality, even though there are usually tons of people there. In general, relaxing there is simply magical! What exactly do I like?
— raevskaya-o, 6 Apr 2011, 21:56
Trip to Fraser Island
Fraser Island is one of the must-see places in Australia. This is the world's largest sand island. Located near the east coast of Australia, 300 km from the city of Brisbane. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as unique natural monument.
— whiskeymaker, 2 Nov 2010, 11:00
Australian paradise
Australia is a grateful island, as if created for a person to relax, immerse himself in meditation and thank the heavens for their generosity. My report about how great it is to relax as a civilized savage on the diverse Fraser Island.
— rothaarige-live , 22 Sep 2010, 21:35
Fraser Island: SS Maheno
Just a little text and pictures about the motor ship Maheno, the remains of which have been lying there on 75 Mile Beach for 75 years. As it turned out, there is no romantic story connected with the wreck of this ship, but he lived a rather long and eventful life.
— raevskaya-o, 6 Feb 2010, 00:56
Fraser Island: Lakes
Everything that I wrote about earlier about Fraser Island is an integral part of it, but this is not the main thing. Why you need to go there is to swim in fresh lakes, of which there are a huge number. They are all different and very warm, in general, it’s a pleasure to lie in them for hours, which is what we did throughout our trip.
— raevskaya-o, 2 Feb 2010, 00:19
Fraser Island: 4WD
You can get to Fraser Island only with an SUV - by renting it or purchasing a tour, again on a variety of 4WD wonder cars. Now I will show you why this is so...
— raevskaya-o, 30 Jan 2010, 23:30
Fraser Island: Dingo
Today I’ll tell you about the wild dogs dingoes, to whom humanity has given a huge gift, bringing from South-East Asia to Australia around 4,000 BC. The dogs were so happy about this that they settled almost throughout the entire continent, including islands except Tasmania.
— raevskaya-o, 29 Jan 2010, 04:37
Fraser Island (also known as Great Sandy Island) is an island off the east coast of Australia in the state of Queensland. The island is mainly covered with sand, with dunes up to 260 meters high. In addition to the sands, there are more than 40 fresh lakes, as well as mangrove forests and swamps.
— australia-best , 25 Sep 2009, 10:04
Lakes in Fraser Island
The lakes on the island are absolutely amazing. Firstly, they are fresh and there are a lot of them. Actually a lot, more than fifty pieces. Not so much big island. Right next to Australia. Given that in Melbourne people are not allowed to water their small areas near their houses with tap water, there is no point in wasting such a valuable resource.
— tas-s , 18 Sep 2009, 14:55
Fraser Island: Sequel
The first coastal dune protects the island from the constant wind carrying salty fog, and immediately behind it the nature of the vegetation changes dramatically. Eucalyptus and acacia trees appear, not very tall yet, but this is already a real forest.
— tas-s, 18 Sep 2009, 08:43
Fraser Island. Botany, ecology, etc.
Fraser Island is located off the east coast of Australia and is separated from the continent by a not very wide strait. It was formed from sand that ocean currents moved along the Australian coast, which is why its shape is elongated from north to south.
— tas-s, 17 Sep 2009, 07:24
Dingo
The theme of wild dingoes runs through all sources of information about Fraser Island. Every brochure, every guidebook, and numerous warning signs at campsites will feature dingoes. They even came up with a special term - to be dingo-safe.
