There are many different aspects to Fraser Island, but the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake McKenzie makes it probably the most visited natural site on the island. It is a ‘perched’ lake, which means it contains only rainwater, no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean. The sand and organic matter at the base of the lake form an impervious layer, preventing rainwater from draining away.
If you haven't discovered Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort on Fraser - why not? Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village was developed in 1991/92. With stablemate Eurong Beach Resort it, and Fraser Island, can be accessed from Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach, Noosa, Caloundra, Coolum and Maroochydore. Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village is the current holder of Queensland Tourism's Ecotourism award. The Multi-award-winning ecotourism resort is just the place to pamper yourself after a hard day exploring the World Heritage wilderness of Fraser Island. Nestled among the tree-covered dunes on the edge of the calm blue waters of the Great Sandy Strait, Kingfisher Bay offers all the amenities of a modern resort while blending seamlessly with Fraser Island's sensitive ecological system. Eurong Beach Resort is, as the name suggests, right on the beach Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Eurong is the hub for day tours, safaris and 4WD adventures - and there's accommodation to suit all budgets.
A well-stocked store supplies groceries, meat, vegetables, souvenirs, resort wear, camping equipment, fishing gear, ice, fuel and gas. Miracle Island Fraser Island is World Heritage-listed for its ancient rainforests, sand dunes, pristine freshwater lakes and wildlife. It's World Heritage listing ranks it with Australia's Uluru, Kakadu and the Great Barrier Reef. Fraser Island, a unique part of Australia's natural and cultural heritage, is protected for everyone to enjoy.
The island stretches over 123 kilometres along the Queensland coast - the largest sand island in the world. It's a place of exceptional beauty and the only place in the world where tall rainforests are found growing on sand dunes. The low "wallum" heaths give magnificent wildflower displays in spring and summer. Offshore, humpback whales frolic in the protected waters of Hervey Bay from August to October. Endless white sands of Seventy Five Mile Beach stretch beyond the horizon. All this is easily accessible from the relaxed comfort of the island's resorts. North along the surf beach from Eurong is Lake Wabby, the deepest lake on Fraser with a huge sand blow dropping sheer into one side. A little farther along is amazing Eli Creek which pours a million gallons of freshwater per hour, into the ocean. See the Maheno, a luxury liner beached in 1935, and The Cathedrals, magnificent cliffs of coloured sands, blown by the wind into turrets and spires.
For information and bookings call Kingfisher Bay, tollfree 1800 072 555 or go to www.kingfisherbay.com and Eurong Beach: www.eurong.com
Fraser Island - Great for the family
The 800,000-year young sand island, Fraser Island has over 120 kilometres of beach and has thousands of tourists visit every year. The Queensland Tourist Travel Corporation requests that whilst on the island tourists:
- Do not pollute waterways with soaps or detergents
- Powerboats and vehicles are not permitted in the lakes
- Do not feed dingoes or other native animals
- Boil all water taken from natural sources on the island
- Respect the peace of the other visitors
- Take only photos Leave only footprints
- Observe fire bans
- Camp only in designated camping sites
Access: Via 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
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 campsites must have a camping permit which should be attached to the tent in clear view for inspection by the Park Ranger.
Permits are available from the following offices
The Department of Environment:
Brisbane: 160 Ann St, (07) 3227 8185
Maryborough: Cnr Alice and Lennox St (07) 4123 7100
Gympie: (07) 5482 4189
Noosa: (07) 5447 3243
Bundaberg: (07) 4153 8620
Rainbow Beach: (07) 5486 3160
Permits are also available from:
The Marina Kiosk Buccaneer Avenue Urangan Boat Harbour (07) 4128 9800
National Parks Kiosk River Heads boat ramp.