Fraser Island



Fraser Island lies to the south of the Great Barrier Reef, well outside of the GBRMPA boundary, but it gets a mention in this website simply because it's such an amazing place!

At nearly 130km long and 15km wide, it's the largest sand island in the world and has been listed as a World Heritage Area since 1992 because of its uniqueness.

I've been fortunate enough to visit Fraser twice, and anyone making a visit to the Reef should try and see this island if possible; it's in every way as awe-inspiring as the Great Barrier Reef itself with lots to offer the adventurous holidaymaker!

Fraser Island is made entirely of sand and is home to a variety of natural wonders; lush tropical rainforest, crystal clear lakes and creeks, extensive dune fields and mangrove swamps can all be seen around the island.
And the main beach is nothing short of spectacular - the aptly named Seventy Five Mile Beach runs along the majority of the eastern coast of the island and serves as the island's 'highway' and airstrip for light aircraft that operate in the area.


A Cessna takes off from the beach

A Cessna 172 takes off from Seventy Five Mile Beach, which runs up the eastern coast of the island and serves as the main highway and airstrip




Getting onto Fraser Island

The main point of departure is River Heads at the southern end of Hervey Bay township.
From here there is a daily barge service across the short stretch of water to the western shore of Fraser.

The most important point to remember however is that access is restricted to all terrain (4x4) vehicles only, simply because there are no sealed roads on the island, only sandy tracks of varying conditions.

Yours Truly on 75 Mile Beach

Driving options on the island include:


There are plenty of vehicle rental companies in the town of Hervey Bay that can supply you with most sizes of 4x4 to suit your needs, from a small Suzuki to a 6 seater Toyota (such as the one hired by myself on my last visit, shown above).
Many such companies also offer package deals including all camping equipment and necessary permits, should you want to stay on the island under canvas instead of using the resorts and hostels dotted around Fraser.

Once off the barge, the first point of call for most is Central Station, once a camp for the workers when logging was an industry on the island, now a visitor center. The center is in the heart of the rainforest and provides plenty of Fraser Island information, as well as the opportunity for you to experience the rainforest first hand by taking a short walk in the immediate area.

From the center, it's usually then on to Seventy Five Mile Beach and northwards, depending of course on your itinerary.
It takes a couple of hours to drive the full length of the beach which ends neatly at Indian Head, a rocky outcrop that provides excellent views up and down the eastern coast of the island. From here, if you're lucky, you can look down and see sharks and Manta Rays swimming in the surf!


Fraser Island accommodation

There are several types of accommodation available on the island ranging from backpackers hostels to luxury holiday cottages.

The most prestigious is the well known Kingfisher Resort, a luxury 4 star resort on the western side of the island, while at the other end of the scale there are several campsites for tents and/or motorhomes (4x4, of course!)

The main 'town' on Fraser Island is Eurong where there is more accommodation and a small selection of shops for the essentials, although stocking up on the mainland if you're camping is highly recommended!


Popular spots

Fraser Island plays host to some breathtaking scenery and places of interest.




The rainforest is a huge attraction, laced with many freshwater creeks the best known being Eli Creek. It is possible to walk up the creek from the beach, deep into the rainforest, and float back down it again - the swift current is strong enough to carry most adults along! It's a fun experience but be prepared to share the waters with the local yabbies (crayfish) and eels.

The Champagne Pools are a set of large rockpools just north of Indian Head and are a great spot for doing some snorkelling or just for a relaxing dip.

Along Seventy Five Mile Beach you can find the Coloured Sands and the Maheno wreck, a luxury steam liner in its time that was being towed to Japan for scrap when cyclonic weather conditions pushed the ship ashore where it now lies.

Lake McKenzie is a beautiful and tranquil spot, the perfect place for a picnic. It's reputedly said that its waters are clean enough to drink and the lake provides an ideal cooling off opportunity, whether you're stopping for a while or just passing by.


Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek


Fraser wildlife

As with any place rich in rainforest and unique habitat, Fraser has plenty of wildlife to offer with the two most noteworthy animals being the dingo and wild pony, or 'brumbie'.
The Fraser Island dingo, Australia's wild dog, is said to be the purest breed because of its separation from the mainland and domestic dogs. The brumbie is said to have come originally from a stock that was being brought to the mainland but ended up on the island after the ship carrying them ran aground close to the island. The ponies have since bred and thrived, inadvertently becoming a tourist attraction themselves!

Humpback whale breaching off Fraser coast

A seasonal visitor to the waters of Hervey Bay on the west of the island is the Humpback Whale. Between the months of August to October the whales stop at Hervey Bay while on their migration routes, for apparently no other reason than for a bit of playtime!
Whale watching trips are available from Hervey Bay and shouldn't be missed if you're there at the right time!

 

Fraser Island is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating places in Australia and shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting the East Coast and particularly the Great Barrier Reef area of the country.
Whether it's a day trip from the mainland or a week long stay, do your best to put Fraser into your holiday itinerary, I can promise you that you won't be disappointed!

Pete Carpenter



Fraser Island web site

Other islands of the Great Barrier Reef are:-