Fraser Island

Fraser Island Australia

Located on the southeastern coast in Queensland, Australia, Fraser island is a very diverse and unique island filled with rainforests, mangroves, swamps, lakes, sand dunes and coastal heaths, and recognized as a World Heritage Site. Diverse landscapes and unique wildlife (like the dingoes) await for you.

Fraser island is famous for its 155 miles (250 km) of sandy beaches, strikingly colored sand cliffs, tall rainforest and freshwater lakes, the best that one island can offer.

It is an unique site, as the island is considered as the largest sand island in the world, with an area of 457,142 acres (184,999 hectares); and the only place where rainforest grow on sand dunes, at elevations over 200 meters.

Fraser Island Australia

History

The Butchulla people are the natives of Fraser Island. Archaeological research shows that the Butchulla have been living in the region for at least 5,000 years.

The first european to sight the island and the natives was Captain Cook in 1770, who named the island “the great sandy peninsula”. However there are records that show that Portuguese and Dutch explorers might have done undocumented visits to the island.

The arrival of the europeans later on diminished the population of Butchullas, as europeans did not respect or understand the Butchulla culture.

They brought new diseases, disturbed the natural food supply with their agriculture and fought against the natives when they resisted against the colonization. Nowadays there only a handful of surviving descendants from the Butchulla.

Formation

The island is made up of sand that has been accumulating for approximately 750,000 years on volcanic bedrock, due to winds, waves and ocean currents carried the sand to the location.

One of the unique features of the island are its rainforests, formed on sand, thanks to its rich soil.


Origin of the name

The original name of Fraser  island was ‘K’gari’, which means “paradise” in the Butchulla language.

Later on and after european settlement, the island became the “Fraser Island” thanks to the story of Eliza Fraser, a survivor of a shipwreck that ended up living on the island.

The story says that Captain James Fraser was passing by the island on his boat the “Stirling Castle”, which wrecked at Swain’s Reef. Its survivors travelled to the island, but unfortunately all of them but his wife, Eliza Fraser, died due to exhaustion, hunger or disease.

Location

Tickets & Tours


Things to do in Fraser Island

Fraser Island Australia

Maheno Shipwreck

Fraser island has around 23 different shipwreck, being the maheno the most famous one, located just north of the 75 mile beach. Once a tasmanian liner, the ship was drawn to the coast for a cyclone on 1935, a great piece of Australian history and a must-see.

Fraser Island Australia

Indian Head

The indian head is a coastal headland with amazing sights of the eastern side of the island, offering panoramic views of the beach and the ocean. A very famous lookout for tourists, as you can also spot dolphins and whales from it

75 miles beach Fraser Island

Drive the 75 mile beach

Fraser island is an exclusively 4WD place, as it will be nearly impossible to drive through the sand with a regular vehicle and there aren’t sealed roads on it. The 75 mile beach is an endless stretch of beach, officially a national highway, that allows people to drive to it while enjoying the peace and views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Cathedrals fraser island

The Cathedrals

The Cathedrals are a series of colored sand cliffs located south of the 75 mile beach. The combination of the red, brown and yellow colors of the sand and cliffs contrasts with the blue waters of the Pacific, creating an espectacular combination.

Lake Mckenzie

This lake is famous for its white sand as well as crystal clear waters, drawing thousand of visitors each year.

Champagne Pools Frasier Island

Champagne pools

The champagne pools are naturally formed pools, located on the eastern side of the island.

Fraser Island Australia

Fraser Island Great Walk

The great walk is a 56 miles (90 km) track that borders the majority of of the island, crossing attractions like the Lake McKenzie, Wanggoolba Creek, Lake Wabby and the towering rainforest trees in the Valley of the Giants.

humpside whales

Whale watching

The Hervey Bay is one of the best places to watch whales in the world. More than 1500 humpback whales visit Hervey Bay on their migration south to the Antarctic in August September and October.

Lake Wabby Fraser Island

Lake Wabby

Wabby Lake is the most famous lake of the island, as well as its deepest, showing an incredible emerald color that will attract your sight.


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