Iconic World Heritage Area Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island. The island's name is set to be renamed and called K'gari, the name was given by the native Butchulla people, meaning 'paradise'. K'gari is the traditional land of Butchulla people. Many archaeological remains have been found on the island, recording thousands of years of culture and tradition. K'gari offers an incredible amount of spectacular natural features like coloured sand cliffs, lunar landscapes sandblows, pristine amazing freshwater lakes, unique wildlife and tall trees growing on sand. K'gari has rainforests growing on sand, many perched lakes, endless beaches and the purest population of dingoes.
When planning a trip to Fraser Island, make sure to have a printout of the tides, sunrises and sunsets. You have to consider the tides and the swell when travelling the eastern side beach, which is called Seventy Five Mile Beach. The beach is considered a road with Qld road rules apply. Drive two hours after the peak of the high tide.
K'gari sand tracks are only suitable for higher clearance 4WD vehicles, with low range capacity. You must buy a vehicle access permit and display it on your vehicle windscreen.
For booking your permit,
see here.
Months earlier we booked our accommodation in Eurong Resort, on the eastern side of the island.
Day 1
Boarding the barge to Fraser Island
Check in Eurong Resort
Have lunch at Eurong bakery
Drive to Lake McKenzie
We started our K'gari adventure travelling on a
barge with our 4WD. We crossed the sea at Inskip Point, taking about 15 minutes to reach Fraser Island.
Here is the link for the barge.
Once disembarked from the barge, we drove about 40 minutes on the beach to Eurong Resort.
Vehicles boarding the barge at Inskip Point. Photo by Author.
We checked into
Eurong Resort and put all our luggage in the apartment. Eurong Resort has its own
bakery with fresh pies and several threats, hot and cold drinks. After lunch, we set on to visit
Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora). From Eurong resort, drive to Eurong Road and then near Central Station turn onto Lake McKenzie Road.
Lake McKenzie is one of the most visited places on the island. It is a perched lake, meaning it is made by rainwater, it is not fed by streams or underwater springs and doesn't flow to the ocean. A layer of very old organic matter prevents the water to drain away in the sand.
The crystal blue freshwater of Lake McKenzie. Photo by Author.
The waters of Lake McKenzie are crystal clear, reflecting the azure of the sky. The water is filtered by the sand and it is very pure; it doesn't support much life. The silica sand is white and soft. Don't take food to the lake, it may attract dingoes and other wildlife.
Swimming in the clear and pristine waters of Lake Mckenzie is a great experience.
Cool off in the McKenzie perched lake at Fraser Island. Photo by Author.
Drive to Central Station
Hike Pile Valley Circuit
Drive the Southern Lakes Road
Swim Lake Birrabeen
Lake Bernaroon
Swim Lake Boomanjin
Return via Dilli Village
From Eurong Resort we drove our 4WD to the
Central Station. From the Central Station, there are many walking trails. We walked the
Pile Valley Circuit.
The Pile Valley Circuit is a 4 km hike. The walk starts at Central Station, the first part of the trail follows the Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk and then it turns off to Pile Valley. Most of the walk is on a great boardwalk that prevents damage to the environment.
The trail runs parallel to the Wanggoolba Creek, which is so clear that you can hardly see the water. We spotted a catfish in the pristine creek. The trail meanders then in the forest of giant trees growing on sand, in particular, the Satinay trees stand out for their height.
The invisible Wanggoolba Creek running quietly on the sand. Photo by Author.
The Group Hiking South East Qld and More walking along the Wanggoolba Creek. Photo by Author.
After returning from the hike to Central Station, we drove on the
Southern Lakes Road to Lake Birrabeen, Lake Benaroon and Lake Boomanjin.
Lake Birrabeen is similar to Lake McKenzie, with crystal clear water, pure white sand and bush all around the lake. Lake Birrabeen is a perched lake and the waters are so clear because the organic matter is filtered out by the sand.
The clear waters of Lake Birrabeen. Photo by Author.
Banksia tree growing on the shore of Lake Birrabeen. Photo by Author.
After a refreshing swim in the lake, we continue to travel on the Southern Lake Road.
Lake Bernaroon is only a short walk from the main 4WD trail which connects Lake Birrabeen to Lake Boomanjin. Lake Bernaroon has stained waters, it is very secluded due to its location and lack of carpark.
Lake Boomanjin is the largest perched lake in the world. The waters of Lake Boomanjin are stained by Tea Tree and therefore are red.
The stained waters of the Lake Boomanjin. Photo by Author.
The waters of Lake Boomanjin gets very warm in summer days. Photo by Author.
After visiting the tea coloured Lake Boomanjin, we drove back to the resort via Dilli Village.
Day 3.
Drive to Eli Creek
Visit the Maheno Wreck
Swim in Lake Garawongera
Stonetool Sandblow
Walk and swim in Lake Wabby
We have to wait for the tide to subside before to set out for more exploration of the island. From Eurong Resort, we drove along the eastern beach to reach Eli Creek.
Driving on Seventy Five Mile Beach about two hours after the peak of the high tide. Photo by Author.
It is never boring to drive on the beach because the many features of the territory. Photo by Author.
is the largest freshwater creek on the eastern side of the island. The creek flows to the sea and sends 80 million litres of fresh water in the ocean every day.
A nice boardwalk takes you to the start of the creek where you can float with the current. Photo by Author.
There is a boardwalk to the entry of the creek. The water is clear and cold, very refreshing especially on hot summer days. It is fun to float effortlessly, especially when seated on a floater and be transported by the current to the beach.
Eli Creek is a very popular natural site on Fraser Island. Photo by Author.
Eli Creek going into the ocean. Photo by Author.
After swimming at Eli Creek, we went back to the 4WD and we drove north on the beach to visit the Maheno Wreck.
The
Maheno is the most famous wreck on Fraser Island. It lies ashore on Seventy Five Mile Beach, just about 7 km north of Eli Creek. When you are driving on the beach, the wreck starts to appear with its imposing shape.
The Maheno regularly transported passengers between Auckland and Sydney. During World War I, it was converted into a hospital ship. Then in 1935 a Japanese shipbreaker bought it. The Maheno was towed away when its towline parted in a severe cyclone. The Maheno drifted away and washed onto the shores of Fraser Island.
The Maheno Wreck on Seventy Five Mile Beach. Photo by Author.
The Maheno shipwreck is a famous landmark on Fraser Island. The harsh environment has taken a toll on the old steamer but it is one of the most photographed sites on the island.
The Maheno has rusted away and lots of the wreck is submerged by the sand. Photo by Author.
The Maheno is more exposed at low tide. Photo by Author.
Carpobrotus is commonly known as pigface, is a plant with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name refers to the edible fruits. Photo by Author.
Between Eli Creek and the Maheno Wreck, there is a zone for aircraft to land. Drive carefully and pay attention to the special personnel who put the signs on the beach prior to the landing of planes.
Sharing the beach with aircrafts. Photo by Author.
From the Maheno Wreck, drive back on the beach to visit
Lake Garawongera. At Happy Valley, turn onto Garawongera Scenic Drive and drive inland.
Lake Garawongera is a gem in the tall forests and scrubs on the island. It is called by the Butchulla people as 'place of pigeons'.
Lake Garawongera is shallow and red, well warmed up by the sun.
A short walk takes you to Lake Garawongera. Photo by Author.
The waters of Lake Garawongera are red and warmed up by the sun. Photo by Author.
After the experience at Lake Garawongera, return to the carpark and keep driving onto the Lake Garawongera Scenic Drive. Observe the change of vegetation, from the coastal woodlands to the forest of gums, bloodwoods and blackbutts. The drive finishes on the Eastern Beach.
Keep driving south until you see a sign to Cornwells Road. Turn inland and stop at the Stonetool Lookout.
The views of Stonetool Sandblow from Stonetool Lookout. Photo by Author.
Sandblows develop over thousands of years. Strong onshore winds erode and transport sand. Weak points in the shoreline dunes develop into 'blow outs'. Sand blown inland from the coast spreads grain by grain, engulfing vegetation in its path.
There is a constant battle between sand and plant life. The apex of the invading body of sand advances inland, while 'arms' of loose sand trail behind. Gradually these margins may be recolonised and stabilised by plants.
New sandblows may develop when stabilising plant cover is damaged by fire, vehicles or pedestrian traffic. Admiring these beautiful natural sites from a distance helps protect these fragile areas.
Stonetool Sandblow gets its name from Aboriginal artifacts found in the area. It rises over 125 m above sea level. It stretches more than 2 km inland and advances up to one metre each year.
From Cornwells Road, turn then into Lake Wabby Road. There is a carpark where you can park your vehicle and then start the 560 metres walk to Lake Wabby.
There is a short walk to Lake Wabby. Photo by Author.
When you exit from the short trail running in the bush in front of you, there is a waste area of sand.
A large area of sand is engulfing Lake Wabby. Photo by Author.
Lake Wabby has formed over time due to dunes of sand blocking a coastal creek. Lake Wabby gets slowly filled with sand every day, creating a dynamic landscape.
It is a great feeling walking on the sand. Photo by Author.
Lake Wabby has emerald coloured waters and it is a great spot for swimming. There is fish in the lake, including the rare honey blue-eye. Lake Wabby is the deepest dune lake in Fraser Island, about 11 metres.
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