Fraser Island

K'gari (Butchulla for Fraser Island) is undoubtedly as exceptional as it could be. It satisfies 3 of the 4 natural criteria, and the increased recognition of Butchulla people as its traditional owners in recent years made it more special. I originally planned a 3-day, 2-night trip to the island in May 2022 but a knee injury forced me to postpone the trip to August 2022. I also ended up doing a full-day tour as I was still nursing my knee.

Most of tour companies operate from Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach. The agency I availed the tour from used to pick up passengers from Sunshine Coast, which would have been idea as I was staying with a friend there. However, I had to get an accommodation in Noosa Heads due to low number of tourists. Apparently, they were still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. This turned out to be a good surprise as the small town had a wonderful beach and a relaxed vibe.

The tour started at 5:30 am, with our 4WD MHOV-looking truck picking up passengers on the way to Rainbow Beach. Past Rainbow Beach our tour lead picked up a couple of passengers staying in the campgrounds around Inskip Point. We got onto the barge and docked at the southern most point of the island. From here we already saw a few dingoes, with some people quipping that it must had been our lucky day. The truck started driving on the beach, …

To reach Fraser Island you can catch a ferry either from Rainbow Beach or from River Heads. I chose the latter and it was quite a long drive to reach the quaint fishing village of Urangan. The extra time I invested in driving to Urangan in the evening, meant that we could depart later in the morning (if you depart from Rainbow Beach you'll have to catch a much earlier ferry and you'll still have to organize a long and bumpy ride from the ferry point to one of the two resorts on the island (the cheaper one is Eurong Beach Resort; even though, at sunset and sunrise, the 75 Mile Beach area close to the resort is where a number of dingoes can easily be seen - the only ones we saw were here - and it is advisable to keep your distance behind the fenced off area at these times). 

Fraser Island has no tarmac, asphalt or gravel roads, apart from two small ones within the Kingfisher Bay Resort (where we stayed). Driving is strictly limited to 4WD vehicles and even then, you have to be quite an experienced and skillful 4WD driver to drive from one place to another without getting stuck in the sand which is a frequent sight on the island. Moreover, there is no …

Fraser Island is one of the top attractions of Australia - and rightly so. It is a very special place indeed, and it is hard to describe what makes it so special, but it must have something to do with its being an island and a little remote, with the fact that there are no towns, villages or shops (there is no civilisation besides a few resorts), and also the lack of real roads (there are only some dirt roads/tracks in the sand, and the beach serves as the main road!) ...and of course with the rainforest, the beaches, and the sunshine!!!

I visited this WHS in 2007 when I did a trip along the east coast of Australia. It was a guided two day tour and we visited many highlights of the island, such as Lake Wabby, Maheno Shipwreck, Indian Head and Lake McKenzie. We also spent time on the beach and did some great rainforest walks.

And although I did a guided tour with a planned time frame, although I was with a big group, although it is a major tourist destination and there are people nearly everywhere you go - I had a great feeling of freedom at this place. The beautiful nature, the sense of remoteness, the sunshine and the perfect surroundings that taste of adventure - it really is like a dream.

I have just been to the Island and cannot believe the damage being caused by the visitors to the island.

The tracks are being eroded deep into the sand to such an extent that matting is being used in some locations.

The East beach is being treated like a Motorway with buses dashing up and down, The beach has litter including broken glass and plastic. I even saw people letting fireworks off and the remains were left on the beach.

Surely if this is supposed to be a World Heritage site it should be better protected

Fraser Island is my favourite place in Oz. It is the world's largest sand island and has magnificent sand dunes, freshwater lakes, rainforest - all next to the grand Pacific Ocean. The champagne pools were glorious for wading, even for the most inexperienced swimmer. Lake McKenzie is an amazingly clear freshwater lake which is also excellent for swimming. As for wildlife, I had the pleasure of seeing wild brumbies on the beach. There were also many dingoes on the island. They were a bit of a nuisance and were especially out and about when they could smell food.

To reach Fraser Island, many backpackers go to Hervey Bay, where they rent a 4WD and take the barge to the island. I was most fortunate to meet 7 other individuals at a hostel in Hervey Bay who shared the expenses of renting a 4WD and food. When you go, be prepared for the possibility of inclement weather, as the cheapest way to stay on the island is by camping. The camp sites are well-maintained.

A truly glorious place. This must be one of the most unique spots on the entire planet. I loved the time I spent there and desparately hope to visit again.

If you are in the area, don't hesitate! Go!

I last visited Fraser Island in 1981, and have been dreaming of going back ever since. That dream is going to come true this year, and I can't wait! I'm very, very happy to discover that it is now a World Heritage Site, as this place is a rare gem which must be preserved! Highlights that remain wonderful memories from the last trip are: Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby, Lake Birrabeen and the Champagne Pools. A peek at the native wildlife in the evenings was also wonderful.

It's a place not to be missed, but please, leave it the way you found it so that future visitors can also enjoy it as much as you did.

I have been to Fraser Island several times and know I'll go back some day again. It is the most magical place with an atmosphere of purity, freshness and breathtaking, gentle beauty. There are sand dunes, freshwater lakes with sand so fine you can polish your jewellery (if you have any) with it, long white beaches, the purest breed of dingoes in Australia(we saw a whole lot of dingo puppies), crystal creeks and rivers you can drink from while you swim. This is truly Paradise!