Top Bucket List Places to see on K'Gari (Fraser Island)

Continue reading for each of the top Aussie Bucket List places to see when travelling to Fraser Island located off the east coast of Queensland, Australia.

ABOUT DESTINATION

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, stretching to 123km in length and 22km in width. Fraser Island stands with Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu as one of Australia's UNESCO World Heritage Listed places, protected for all to enjoy, in recognition of its natural values.

LOCATION

Fraser Island is located off the east coast of Queensland, approximately 3.5 hours drive north of Brisbane, off the coast of Hervey Bay.

CLIMATE

The climate on Fraser Island is considered semi-tropical, with temperatures only varying slightly from month to month. Days are generally warm and balmy, with evenings becoming slightly cooler. During the summer months there is generally higher rainfall than the winter months, with afternoon storms and occasional tropical cyclones to the north.

Winter - June to August with an average daily temperature between 13-25 degrees Celsius.

Summer - December to February with an average daily temperature of 22-30 degrees Celsius.

HOW TO GET HERE

Fly into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Then catch a ferry across to the island with Sealink K'Gari (Fraser Island). Fraser Island is strictly four-wheel-drive territory only.

TOP Aussie BUCKET LIST places to see

1 - Lake McKenzie

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

There are many different aspects to Fraser Island, but the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake McKenzie makes it probably the most visited natural site on the island. It is a ‘perched’ lake, which means it contains only rainwater, no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean. The sand and organic matter at the base of the lake form an impervious layer, preventing rainwater from draining away.

The sand here is pure, white silica and is not only beautiful to look at but feels beautifully soft to walk on. The sand acts as a filter, giving the water its clarity and helping to make the water so pure it can support very little life. The blues and greens of the lake are endlessly fascinating and it's well worth getting up early to look across it in the soft light of dawn.

There are great hikers camping facilities here and toilets and cold showers nearby.

For further information and to add Lake McKenzie to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

2 - Eli Creek

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Eli Creek, the largest creek on the eastern beach of Fraser Island, pours up to four million litres of clear, fresh water into the ocean every hour. Eli Creek is a popular picnic and swimming spot, with a boardwalk that follows the creek inland through banksia and pandanus. Swimming or floating down the swiftly flowing creek from the bridge at the far end of the boardwalk is an invigorating experience. Take care when driving through the creek on the beach, as its fast-flowing water can gouge out deep channels. At high tide it’s best to take a break and go for a swim until you can cross the creek at the lower end of the beach.

For further information and to add Eli Creek to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

3 - Champagne Pools

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

The Champagne Pools is a must-see Aussie Bucket List attraction located on K'gari (Fraser Island).

The boardwalk is located on the Eastern Beach scenic drive about 21.2km north of the Dundubara camping area. The Eastern Beach scenic drive is only accessible 2hrs either side of low tide.

Head along the boardwalk that hugs the side of a rocky headland and take in the stunning coastal views towards Indian Head before arriving at the pools.

Hollowed from masses of volcanic rock, these fabulous ocean-level pools are best at mid-tide, when breaking waves create a natural, bubbly spa.

If conditions are safe, pop in the pools for a refreshing dip. At low tide take the steep (and slippery) steps down to the secluded beach and let the kids play on the sand. Keep an eye on the ocean as turtles, dolphins, manta rays and, when the season’s right, humpback whales are seen from here.

This park is part of the K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of coastal dune landform development and evolutionary history.

For further information and to add Champagne Pools to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

4 - SS Maheno Shipwreck

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

The Maheno, the most famous of the Fraser Island wrecks, was driven ashore just north of Happy Valley during a cyclone in 1935. Once a well-known trans-Tasman liner, the Maheno was bound for a Japanese wrecking yard when she met her stormy end. Today the hull lies slowly deteriorating in the harsh salt environment, about 10 kilometres north of Happy Valley. The Maheno is a great piece of Australian history and is a must see for those visiting Fraser Island.

For further information and to add SS Maheno Shipwreck to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

5 - 4WD along 75 Mile Beach

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

It is not hard to guess how this location got its name. A bloke measured the beach one day and found out that it was 75 miles long. Apart from its length, there are many more impressive things about this rugged stretch of sand on the east coast of Fraser Island. It's where you'll find the Maheno shipwreck, the popular swimming spot known as Champagne Pools and the striking volcanic rock formation of Indian Head. The beach itself is not a safe place to swim due to dangerous currents and a large shark population. It's also a landing strip for light aircraft so be sure to take care when you are cruising along the sand in your four wheel drive.

For further information and to add 75 Mile Beach to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

6 - The Cathedrals

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

The Cathedrals on Fraser Island are coloured sand cliffs that have been sculpted by the wind and rain blowing in off the Pacific Ocean. The colours - red, brown, yellow and orange - are spectacular and are best viewed in the early morning light. The size of the cliff faces are a reminder of exactly how large the sand dunes are on Fraser Island. The Cathedrals are situated on 75 Mile Beach approximately 18 kilometres south of Indian Head.

For further information and to add The Cathedrals to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

7 - Lake Wabby

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Lake Wabby is relatively close to the ocean side of Fraser Island and unlike the other lakes, it supports several varieties of fish. It is known as both a window lake and a barrage lake. Window lakes form when the ground level falls below the water table. Barrage lakes form when a sand blow blocks the waters of a natural spring. This phenomenon is easy to see at Lake Wabby. On one side its deep green waters are bordered by a giant sand dune that is slowly moving into the lake. In a century or so, the sand dune's inexorable march westward across Fraser Island will see it completely swallow the lake. Lake Wabby is a popular spot for those exploring the numerous sand dunes on World Heritage Listed, Fraser Island.

For further information and to add Lake Wabby to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

8 - Valley of the Giants

Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

A hike through the Valley of the Giants on Fraser Island Great Walk is a must-do Aussie Bucket List experience for the avid adventurer. The Valley of the Giants is on the Fraser Island Great Walk and you can camp in this lush tropical rainforest in the central dunes. After a day on the Fraser Island Great Walk, you’ll enjoy the chance to relax and take in the beauty of this place.

If you can, plan an extra night here so you can explore the hidden 1000-year-old treasures of this rainforest. A 12.4km return side trail takes you deep into the heart of this amazing forest where you’ll see massive tallowwood and satinay trees.

The Valley of the Giants is 16.2km north of Lake Wabby walkers’ camp, 13.1km south of Lake Garawongera walkers’ camp and 7.8km from a minor Fraser Island Great Walk access track at the southern section of the Winnam camping area in Beach camping zone 3.

The Fraser Island Great Walk is generally open from 1 March to 31 October each year. At other times, fire danger may be too great to allow walkers through.

For further information and to add Valley of the Giants to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

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We hope that you are able to tick Fraser Island, Queensland off your Aussie Bucket List soon! Feel free to browse our other blog posts for further inspiration on travelling Australia.

Written by Samantha Raine - Aussie Bucket List Founder & Travel Writer

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