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Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and a World Heritage
Site. The original name for Fraser Island is ‘K'Gari' meaning paradise. Fraser
Island is approximately 125 kilometres from north to south. Airborne nutrients
and seeds have accumulated until vegetation could gain a hold, and then the
decaying vegetable matter has allowed other plants and trees to grow, and
forests have sprung up. Not all of Fraser Island is covered with vegetation
some is composed of shifting dunes. There are no surfaced roads on Fraser
Island . The beach acts as the main north south highway, with tracks crossing
the island. A four-wheel-drive is a necessity.
Basin Lake
Basin Lake has slightly acidic waters which support seven species of frog,
freshwater turtles and the Australian grebe.
Central Station
Originally a forestry township with a short boardwalk to Wanggoolba Creek.
Central Station has camping facilities and an Information Centre.
Eli Creek
The largest freshwater creek and fun to float down.
Lake Mckenzie
The largest lake on Fraser Island and has a camp site here.
Lake Wabby
Deepest of Fraser Island lakes.
Lake Allom
A small lake with tortoises.
The Cathedrals
Towering cliffs of multicoloured sands eroded by the wind.
The Champagne Pools
at Middle Rocks
Rock pools with bubbling seawater and good for swimming at low tide.
Maheno Wreck
The Maheno lies buried in sand north of happy valley
Mt Boomanjin
Mt. Boomanjin at 211 metres the highest point in this part of the island with
Lake Boomanjin at the bottom.
Reaching Fraser Island
Access is by ferry (‘barge'), or by a short flight which lands on the beach
of the island at low tide. From Urangan, the harbour at the eastern point of
the bay one barge goes. to Moon Point. There is nothing on the shore at this
point. There is just a beach and a track leading inland, so unless you have
transport, you are now stuck there until the next barge service comes along.
The other service from Urangan goes to Kingfisher Bay , where there is a resort
built. There are further ferry services from River Heads, but the problem here
is that River Heads is fourteen kilometres south of Fraser Island and there is
no public transport available.
There are many day tours
and accommodation is
available on Fraser Island. Camping on Fraser Island
is permitted, but there
are some restrictions.
In the interior of the
island, camping is allowed
only at established camp
grounds, of which there
are several. On the beaches,
camping is permitted,
but not within 50 metres
of a waterway.
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