Home Destinations

Fraser Island’s top spots

If eco adventure is your thing, then you can’t go past the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island.

If eco adventure is your thing, then you can’t go past the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island.

Located off the coast of Queensland and accessible from Hervey Bay, Fraser Island offers up some of the most diverse environments and unique experiences I have ever come across in one place.

Known as K’gari, this heritage listed serves up 1,840 km2 of pristine rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, wallum and peat swamps, sand dunes and coastal heaths. Accessible only by 4WD, the change of scenery driving from one side of the island to the next through the difference environments is instantaneously incredible.

The sands of time have shaped the island over the past 750,000 years, on volcanic bedrock that provides a natural catchment for the sediment which is carried on a strong offshore current northwards along the coast.

One of the best ways to discover the island is by camping. This requires a permit along with a vehicle permit for the 4WD. Alternatively there is Kingfisher Bay Resort, located on the Western side of the island on the bayside.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher Bay Resort is a 4 star Eco Resort, offering a choice of Self-Contained Villas & Resort Rooms. It sits in harmony amongst its surroundings, and has one of the best spots on the island to catch the sunset.

The resort offers so much more than a place to relax by the pool and observe the natural beauty of the area. Resort activities are something not to be missed. Guided bush walks from staff that are so passionate about the island, and full of knowledge will have you learning more than you thought possible. In turn, other staff will be just as engaging in birdwatching tours, eco tours, rays and sharks discovery sessions and so much more. There is a wealth of information for those guests looking to explore beyond the resort.

From here you can also embark on a Beauty Spots day tour, taking in the best Fraser Island has to offer, all in good fun of a 4WD off road adventure. Here are just some of the highlights that will have your Instagram account making your friends jealous.

 

Lake Mackenzie

Lake Mackenzie

The awe-inspiring beauty of Lake McKenzie makes it probably the most visited natural site on the island. A ‘perched’ lake, meaning it contains only rainwater, the sand here is pure, white silica and is not only beautiful to look at but feels soft to walk on. The different shades of blues are stunning, you just have to brave the cold as it can get chilly.

 

Eli Creek

Eli Creek

The largest creek on the eastern beach of Fraser Island, Eli Creek is fast flowing as it pours up to four million litres of clear, fresh water into the ocean every hour. There is a boardwalk that follows the creek inland through banksia and pandanus. You can see why this place is a popular picnic and swimming spot, where you can float down the swiftly flowing creek from the bridge at the far end of the boardwalk.

 

The Cathedrals

Cathedrals

The Cathedrals are situated on 75 Mile Beach approximately 18 kilometres south of Indian Head. Aptly named after the coloured sand cliffs have been sculpted by the wind and rain blowing in off the Pacific Ocean to create stunning formations. The colours – red, brown, yellow and orange – are spectacular and the size of the cliff faces are a reminder of exactly how large the sand dunes are on Fraser Island.

 

Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek

Central Station

Central Station is the remains of Fraser Island’s past. Originally established as a forestry camp when there was logging on world heritage listed Fraser Island, today Central Station’s beautiful rainforest is protected, with towering trees. There is a display explaining the development of the island from the past. A short walk through the rainforest will lead you along a boardwalk around Wanggoolba Creek.

 

The Maheno shipwreck and the coloured sands of The Pinnacles

Maheno

The Maheno is a great piece of Australian history laying on the coastline on Fraser Island. While there are a few wrecks on the island, The Maheno is by far the most. Driven ashore just north of Happy Valley during a cyclone in 1935, the once a well-known trans-Tasman liner, was bound for a Japanese wrecking yard when she met her stormy end. Today, in her final resting place, the hull lies slowly deteriorating in the harsh salt environment, about 10 kilometres north of Happy Valley.
For more on Fraser Island visit www.visitfrasercoast.com and Kingfisher Bay Resort visit www.kingfisherbay.com

 

Have you explored Fraser Island and what was your stand out experience there?