Fraser Island

Fraser Island is a unique part of the Fraser Coast region, and its unusual formation of sand and rainforest make it a special source of adventure for visitors to explore. Although well known among fisherman and 4WD enthusiasts, it is the history and Aboriginal heritage that gives Fraser Island its individual character, expressed through wonderful coloured sand cliffs, unique fresh water lakes and diverse flora and wildlife.

Spanning 124 kilometres and covering an area of 163,000 hectares Fraser Island has developed over a period of 800,000 thousand years, and it's still being perfected. It may be impossible to explore every inch of its beauty, yet just a taste can leave you feeling charmed and captivated. Charmed because of its unique environment; and captivated by its rich Aboriginal heritage and colourful European history. It is this combination that have made Fraser Island one of the most rare and mysterious features of the Queensland coastline. It is well worth looking for cheap flights and planning your next holiday here, even if you live far away. There is no place quite like Fraser Island. You will marvel at its unspoilt beauty and all the good things there are on offer.

Sand is the key to how the Island was formed but it is the abundance of fresh water in its many lakes and crystal clear creeks and streams that has made it so special. Pristine clear mirror lakes and the peat coloured perched lakes, are some of the largest in the world. Each of the lakes has its own particular character. Mysterious, moody and beautiful, they are excellent subjects for photography, great places to see birds, other fauna and flora and a welcome oasis for hot summer days.

Scenic 4WD circuits and walking tracks in the southern half of the island take in some of the largest of the lakes including McKenzie, Birrabeen, Benaroon and Boomanjin, there is a walking track to Lake Wabby from the beach. Water has meant the creation of exceptional rainforests thriving in the nutrients from the breakdown of other plants which has enriched the sand of the forest floor.

Towering satinay and brushbox trees are among the forest giants, some over a thousand years old, and so large they form distinct bands visible from scenic flights over the island. The variety of vegetation on Fraser is exceptional, ranging from mangroves to 200 year old kauri forests, and wallum heathlands that fill with wildflowers in the early Spring.

The annual migration of humpback whales from Antarctica to the warm waters off Queensland brings many of the magnificent whales into the sheltered waters of Platypus bay, on the western side of Fraser Island. After calving in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef, many pods of whales retreat to Platypus Bay to relax and play before returning to the rich feeding grounds of the Antarctic.

As beautiful as the coast is, the waters which fringe the islands coastline have been the site for more than 50 shipwrecks. The most notable wreck is the Maheno, a former trans-Tasman luxury liner and a World War 1 hospital ship. Today the ships rusted remains lie on the beach north of Happy Valley and are a popular attraction for visitors to the island.

Fraser Island Information

Access: Access to Fraser Island can be by vehicular barges, aircraft, passenger launches, commercial tours or private boats.
Air charters operate from Hervey Bay and Maryborough airports to airstrips on the island or beach landings (all by prior arrangement).
Helicopter services operate to and from Kingfisher Bay Resort Vehicular barges and ferries operate from:
Mary River Heads to Kingfisher Bay Resort
Mary River Heads to Wangoolba Creek
Urangan to Moon Point
For barge timetables click here.

Permits - Vehicles and Camping: All vehicles travelling to Fraser Island must first have an official permit. The permit must be attached to the windscreen. Campers other than those using commercial camp sites must have a camping permit which should be attached to tent in clear view for inspection by the Park Ranger.

• Prices for camping and permits can be found here
• Prices for Vehicle permits are $39.35/month and $197.20/year.
• Park information can be found here

Permits are available from the following offices