Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland (No.1-4) and Fraser Experience Hummer Tours (No.5)
Wind down your window and throw away your normal city roads and suburban worries. Fraser Island will teach you all about wide open pristine spaces, unspoilt beauty, lush rainforests, stunning freshwater lakes and the exhilaration of driving on sand, not monotonous bitumen.
The world’s largest sand island is a haven for adventure. Explore in your own 4WD or take a tour bus or even a H3 Hummer. Tackle the inland bumps and humps through towering satinay trees, abundant forest and picturesque sand dunes. Enjoy an invigorating swim in the emerald waters of Lake Wabby where Hammerstone Sandblow forms a wall of sand at its base. Lake Mackenzie shines sapphire blue, blessed with shores of snow-white sand.
On the quiet side of the island, blend seamlessly with nature at the award winning eco resort, Kingfisher Bay Resort and village. They offer a range of accommodation, restaurants, tours and activities. On the eastern side of the island, 4WD enthusiasts, fishermen and families enjoy campsites with rolling surf views and endless kilometres of sand highway.
Shipwrecks and sheltered bays flash by your window but be sure to stop and enjoy the view. Climb Indian Head and gaze down upon schools of fish, sharks, dolphins, rays and turtles, enjoying their own sea safari. They are probably having just as much fun as you.
Getting there:
Access to Fraser Island is from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach.
Hervey Bay is located 290km north of Brisbane and accessed by road, rail and air. TravelTrain has regular Tilt Train services into Maryborough with direct connections to Hervey Bay on the TrainLink coach.
By train:
To book your Tilt Train rail adventure call Traveltrain Holidays on 1800 627 655.
Further information:
Kingfisher Bay run vehicle barges from River Heads, about 15mins north of Maryborough on the road to Hervey Bay. The barge crossing from River Heads to Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island, takes approximately 45minutes.
Environmental Protection Agency
#471
I fell in love with Fraser Island on my first eco-tour a dozen years ago -- and I've loved all my successive visits. It is a magical place to explore and enjoy . . . surely one of the wonders of the world. It is comparable for its beauty, nature and stunning vistas to New Zealand's famed Milford Track which I walked, climbed and experienced in 1988. Fraser Island is an icon of Queensland and the world.
#472
Just Beautiful.
#473
There is a saying, that if you love what you do for a living, you will never work a day in your life. I never "worked" for over 30 years if that is the case. Imagine driving along Fraser Islands magnificent surf beach every working day for 30 years. Imagine swimming in one of Frasers 40 pristine freshwater lakes as a refresher for morning tea. Imagine cooling off in the crystal clear running water of Eli Creek, and getting paid for it. The pay side of it was an absolute bonus. A question often put to me was, "Don't you ever get sick of driving the same tracks every day?" My reply was always, "Hey, look at the view that I get from my office window. Would you ever get sick of that?" I was fortunate enough to have driven over 150,000 people to share my favourite place on Earth, let alone Queensland. Because of this, I have made thousands of friends from all around the world and drove around 1,000,000 kilometers on sand. The Aboriginal name for Fraser Island is "K'gari". The nearest translation of this is "Paradise". The Aboriginal name says it all. I challenge all to show me a place with a more accurate name. Fraser Island is more than deserving of the top "Must see" in Queensland.
#474
Had one week self drive holidays, even if only a daytrip fits in to the itinerary it's worth going. Staying days and overnight at amazing locations we found the inland forests and lakes just as spectacular as coast line. A Must See.
#475
Fraser Island with its unique beauty is enjoyed by all who visit either day trippers or 4WD adventurers.
#476
The wonder of Fraser Island its diverse features, sandy beaches, rolling surf, lakes, forests wild ruggered and challenging 4WD touring, fun and excitement.
#477
Fraser is very popular with campers and fishermen. Why wouldn't it be?
#478
I have Fraser Island on my doorstep and lived on Fraser Island working and it is the best place to visit and enjoy over and over the lakes and eli creek is so refreshing.
#479
Whether you take a guided tour or drive yourself this is one experience not to be missed.
#480
The most wonderful gift that nature could have given us. Surreal!