Why visit Fraser Island ?

Fraser Island is the biggest sand island to be found in the world with apparently more sands in it than the Sahara Desert ! Its amazing eco-system makes it for a very interesting environment to explore. Apparently over 450,000 people arrive here every year to enjoy this giant sandpit with a surface area of 120km x 15 km ! Fraser island has many natural wonders: first of all its rainforests its thousands of trees, the 200 freshwaters lakes, its sand dunes or "sandblows" as named by the locals, which reach up 220meter high, its birds and wildlife, and last but not least its magnificient night sky.

How to get to Fraser Island

A visit to Fraser Island is a must if you are planning to visit south of Queensland and especially if you are drivng along the sunshine coast. The best way to reach Fraser Island is from Hervey Bay, where you can take the ferry or futher south from Rainbow Beach, a popular little beach resort for backpackers. If you are flying from any destination in Australia to Fraser Island you can click here to find the best domestic flight that suits your travel itinerary.

How to get around Fraser Island

You need a 4WD drive on Fraser Island, although driving gives you the freedom to roam the island as you like, it is quite demanding and is not for everyone. If you are not an experienced 4WDriver you might want to opt for a Fraser Island tour. There are plenty of guided tours available, you can choose from 1 to 3-day package tours. They will take you around the island and show the most interesting sites, the lush rainforests and the most popular lakes. If you choose to go on a tour makes sure you pick one in a small group, not more that 10-15 people. I personally joined a tour and was very happy with this choice, the ranger was sharing with us precious information about the unique ecosystem of Fraser island which we would have not learned otherwise. Tours sometimes can outweigh the disadvantages of sticking to a itinerary thus having less freedom and flexibility.

Fraser Island things to see

let's take a closer look at the major things to see on Fraser Island:

• Lake McKenzie probably the most spectacular lakes of the islands, but also the more visited, with crystal clear water and fine white, grey sands which you can use as body scrub, its water changing colours from turquoise to deep azure.

• Lake Wabby another great lake surrounded by forests and huge sand dunes, lake wabby formed when a huge sandblow filled a freshwater creek. Here you can have peaceful swimming among lovely cat fishes !

• Champagne Pools the only "safe spot" on Fraser Island for ocean swimming. From there you can drive along Orchid beach and admire the beautiful wilderness up to Waddy Point. On the other side you can reach the amazing natural monolith of Indian Head.

• Shipwreck Maheno on Maheno Beach, from there you can reach Eli creek and 5km from there you will find the coloured sands at Cathedral Beach.

Where to stay on Fraser Island

More things to do on Fraser Island

If you a nature lover than you should absolutely take a

• wildlife and birds guided tour - They are gorgeous night tours to learn about the unique wildlife and the birds of Fraser Island. These tours are organized with pick up from your resorts. Very interesting if you love animals and especially birds.
  
• Night sky tour this is also amazing ! You will gaze up at the Milky Way and thousans of gleaming stars over your head. A really rewarding experience.

• Watching Humpakback whales and dolphins - if by chance you are visiting Fraser Island from September to November which is actually the best time to visit Fraser Island you will have the priviledge to see the spectacle of the giant Humpback whales during their annual migration ritual.

• Spot dingos - The icon of Fraser Island is also a unique experience, you probably have heard of the concern of Dingo's threats. Not all dingos are aggressive. If you see a dingo do not harass them and don't try to feed them ! And if you camp do not leave food scrap which may attract them to the camping ground. There are leaflet to collect at the information centre wth "Dingo smart" information.

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