If you're in the hunt for a destination that's on the bucket list of virtually every four-wheel driver in Australia then look no further than Fraser Island. In this video I take the big 200 series to the most epic locations the island has to offer as it gets it first outing, and I could not think of a better location to do it as Fraser Island is one of my favourite spots in Australia.

Our adventure begins at the gateway to Fraser Island in skip point as we knock some air out of the tyres we wait for the ferry that'll take us across to one of my favourite destinations in the country. I've got a great group of mates joining me on this adventure but what will make this trip even more exciting is it's the first time I've taken my brand new 200 series off road. Owning a 200 series has always been a dream of mine for years and this beast is the first new vehicle I've ever owned and after months in the DMW workshop the 200 is now chopped, extended and kitted out as the ultimate tourer ready to take on the most remote destinations going and Fraser Island is going to be its first shakedown. Soon enough we're boarding the Manta Ray barge that'll take us over to the island we'll be in for a few days, jam-packed full of fishing camping and exploring. The boys will be living it up in style in Graham's pride and joy and Jackson bought the perfect camper trailer to Fraser Island. Sammy and I are fishing mates from way back and I reckon he'll be keeping me on my toes on this trip as long as we can find a few Tailor that is.

It doesn't take long to get into things on Fraser as we tackle iconic Indian head route which is a long stretch of really soft Fraser Island sand presenting a good test of the tyre pressures and the adventures ahead. Navigating through Indian Head successfully gives you a bit of confidence While we might like to think we make it look easy, this stretch is no joke and can catch even the most experienced 4x4 enthusiast out. One of the many reasons you need to make sure your rig is equipped with the right recovery gear to get you out of jam when needed. Once the convoy were through, we headed across about 45-50 kilometres of sand up to Sandy Cape leading us right to the famous Ngkala Rocks. That is of course after we dig Sammy out of his first Fraser Island bogging thanks to MaxTrax recovery treads. As we waited out the tide we had a crack at some Tailor (or a GT) with Sammy hooking up first cast.

As soon as the opportunity presented itself we lined up to make the infamous pass across Ngkala Rocks after a quick inspection and check of the tyre pressures. This is not a stretch to take lightly as more people get bogged here than anywhere else in Australia in my opinion. Making sure you have the correct tyre pressures for the conditions you are driving at the time. Given we are making this pass when the sand has time to dry out low and slow was the plan. Making this pass in good time is critical given the rising tides and already high difficulty and adding a trailer to the equation makes for exciting times. Getting stuck in Ngkala Rocks could means hours of recovery and likely to see your rig swallowed by the tide. To make sure we hooked up the D-Max to the 200 series and added a little more power to the equation dragging both Sammy and his camper through to the beach ticking off another successful pass of Ngkala Rocks for the team. With convoy back together on the beach we are now at the gateway to the iconic Sandy Cape.

Finding an epic camp site at Sandy Cape is never a tough gig which will leave us a more time to get the lines wet and bag a few more fish for the feed after an awesome day of Fraser Island adventuring. With the lads thinking about the feed and the taste buds going a quick stop to gather some Pippies, not only great bait, they also cook up well adding an entrée to the main course at camp. With the entrees on board we head for the northern point of Fraser Island and what is without out a doubt some of the finest camping in the country. Arriving at Sandy Cape is like arriving in paradise. Sandy Cape only see's a fraction of the visitors on Fraser Island compared to other areas and is limited to only 30 people a day. That means you need to make sure you have made all of the required bookings to get your spot in one of the best camping destinations in Australia. The limits to the number of campers means that on arrival you basically have this pristine place to yourself, complete with a few native locals (the Dingo's). Once the site was selected I quickly jumped on the opportunity to set up my new rig as this was the first time I have camped in the 200 series. The scenery here is nothing short of amazing and creates the best backdrop for our site with white sand and open water as far as the eye can see.

The next order of business was catching the much needed fish for the feed and with a beer in hand it was time for a few more casts. With the drone on hand we also decided to go after a more sizeable feed by using the camera crew's drone to drop the bait further off-shore. After giving everyone a culinary lesson and cooking up the Pippies and the Double Battered Sandy Cape burger we settled into the trailer for a feed topping off a bloody great day at Fraser Island.

The next day of our trip kicked off with an absolute pearler of a day. Waking up a Sandy Cape with its secluded location and limited campers restrictions makes it the best location for small convoys of mates and family and guarantees you wake up to the best scenery around. We let Ruben cook up a feast with his impressive set up in the back of the 40 and fuelled the lads up for another day of adventure. After whipping out the VMS we had picked out a track for the day and got the boys on the road. We decided to head back down through Ngkala Rocks and Indian Cove to then cut across the island to make the west coast by sundown. Remember, checking the tides ahead of your departure will make all the difference and ensure you are not left stranded waiting for tides when you could be adventuring.

After a quick fry up at Wardi Point we headed off into the tracks and the forest on our way to west coast. For those that have done this section before then you will know stopping at Lake Mckenzie is a must. This is a stunning freshwater lake at the hart of the island and gives you a chance to have a much needed rest and swim at one of the most breath-taking places on Fraser Island. Lake McKenzie is listed on the world heritage list and is just something that you have to experience for yourself. After a quick dip and a freshen up it was back on the tracks and heading off to the west cost.

Arriving at the west coast was nothing short of amazing and being close to one of my all-time favourite sites had me excited. But like Sandy Cape, reaching your destination here is all about timing the tides with many sites blocked by crossings at high tide, getting your timing right will get you to your destination quicker and that beer in your hand faster. One of the other great benefits of setting up camp on the west coast of Fraser Island is the stunning sunset that blends well with a cool beverage at the end of a hard day. This is one of the few places outside of WA where you can camp with the sunset in full view and we made the most of it with a few casts and laughs.

I have to tell you, Fraser Island is one of the most epic 4WD adventures you can experience and if it is not on your list of destinations, it bloody well should be. As we made our way back we of course stopped again to wet the lines and reflect on the epic trip we had. The 200 series certainly handled the challenges of Fraser Island without skipping a beat and will no doubt be returning here very soon. The boys loved the adventure and with the right gear and vehicle setup, this trip was an absolute breeze. Fraser Island 10/10!