Your Fraser Island Bucket List
Stretching over 123 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres at its widest point, Fraser Island (or recently altered to its traditional Aboriginal name, K’gari - translating to ‘paradise’) is the largest sand island in the world. The World-Heritage-listed island is found not far off the naturally-beautiful Fraser Coast, a three-hour drive north of Brisbane, and accessible by ferry from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach.
Home to rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, swamps, sand dunes, and a wide range of flora and fauna, Fraser Island’s landscape is diverse, and best explored aboard a 4WD. In fact, due to the island’s immense size and kilometres of sandy tracks, to explore Fraser Island you must do so in the comfort and safety of a 4WD.
The Fraser Explorer Tours is the primary 4WD tour operator on the island and offers several different ranger-guided tours for those without a 4WD or simply wishing to sit back and relax whilst taking in the best of the island.
1. LAKE McKenzie
Lake McKenzie may be one of more than a hundred freshwater lakes on the island, - considered some of the cleanest in the world - though is arguably the most spectacular; certainly the most popular among visitors. The white sands of Lake McKenzie - nearly pure silica - against the incredibly clear waters of the inland lake are sure to be a highlight of your trip.
2. SUNSET DRINK
The sunsets at Fraser Island are incredible, and made even better with a refreshing drink (purchased during happy hour) in hand. For those staying at Kingfisher Bay Resort - located on the western side of the island - the Sunset Bar on the jetty is a short stroll from the resort and is the perfect spot to finish the day.
3. THE PINNACLES
Located a few kilometres north of the Maheno Wreck on 75 Mile Beach is the Pinnacles. Also known as ‘The Coloured Sands’, the Pinnacles are most known for their array of colours, with our 72 colours spiralled through the sands. An incredible natural phenomenon, these huge sand dunes are said to have gained their unique look due to the collection of minerals with the sands dunes, with the cliff’s sculptures formed from years and years of wind erosion. The other tale of how the Pinnacles came to be is a well-told Dreamtime story, named the ‘Tale of the Butchulla women.’
4. Eli Creek
Eli Creek is the largest freshwater creek on the east coast of Fraser Island, just off from 75 Mile Beach, with a flow of 80 million litres per day. The creek is a popular spot among visitors to come and float down in creek is an inflatable ring, otherwise, the shallowness of the creek makes it a pleasant, refreshing walk.
5. MAHeNO WRECK
Another major landmark along 75 Mile Beach is the shipwreck of the S.S. Maheno. Originally built (in Scotland in 1905) as a luxury passenger ship for the trans-Tasman crossing, the Maheno served as a hospital ship during World War I, before the ship was taken out of service and sold to a ship-breaker in Japan. On 25 June 1935, while being towed to Osaka to be broken up, the ship was caught in a strong cyclone and on 9 July 1935, the Maheno became beached on the east coast of Fraser Island. The remains of the ship are now severely rusted, with almost three and a half storey’s buried under the sand.
6. CENTRAL STATION
Once a forestry camp when there was logging on the island, today Central Station is a beautiful rainforest area comprised of countless towering trees, making it a cool retreat perfect for a leisurely walk, or even camping. Plus, there are plenty of displays explaining the area’s history, the development of the island, and its various flora and fauna.
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