Discover the amazing Fraser Island
Fraser Island - a stunning World Heritage listed site just a short trip across the water from Hervey Bay. This amazing island is mother nature at her very best and ranks amongst the world’s best ecotourism experiences.
Fast Facts
- 123km long and 22km wide at its widest point
- World Heritage listed
- World’s largest sand island at 184000 hectares
- Vehicle access is 4WD only
Lakes
Fraser Island supports more than 100 freshwater lakes, 40 of which are known as ‘perched’ lakes. Perched lakes are formed over thousands of years when organic matter builds up and hardens in depressions created by the wind. They are above sea level and are filled only by rain water making the water as pure and clear as you can possibly find in nature.
Lake McKenzie with its crystal waters and white sandy foreshore is one of the most popular and easy-to-reach lakes on the island.
Vegetation
One of the truly amazing things about Fraser Island is its ability to sustain a wide variety of vegetation in sand – which is not exactly known for being nutrient rich! Nonetheless, the island is home to magnificent towering pine trees, rainforest trees with girths up to 3m, giant ferns, eucalypt forests, and flowering shrubs creating a spectacular natural wonderland.
Wildlife
Many of the native marsupials and rodents on the island are nocturnal, burrowing, or rare and endangered species so you may need to keep your eyes open during the day to catch a glimpse of some of them.
One animal you will probably encounter is Fraser island’s dingoes – believed to be the Australia’s purest dingo population. Please don’t feed them though.
You will also see plenty of bird species, reptiles, and frogs (there are 17 different species of frog on the island).
Sand Dunes
Fraser Island has a constantly evolving and moving network of sand dunes caused by the prevailing south-easterly winds on the eastern side of the island.
North of Eli Creek you can also see spectacular coloured sands with over seventy different colours caused by leaching of oxides creating bands of different shades of red, brown, and yellow.
Seventy Five Mile Beach is not only a stunning golden stretch of beach, it also a policed highway where all road rules apply.
How to Experience Fraser Island While Staying at Sanctuary Lakes
There are a number of operators offering guided day tours. We can help you arrange your tour booking.
- If you have a 4WD and would like to explore at your own pace, you will need to arrange a permit to drive on the island through QLD National Parks
and book your vehicle on the Fraser Island Barge. - If you don’t have a 4WD, we can recommend a vehicle hire company
- You can also leave the car behind and catch the ferry for a day trip to Kingfisher Bay. We can also help you organise this at reception.
- If you are planning on heading over to the island for a few days to camp, let us know so we can manage your booking here on the mainland around your island stay.