About Fraser Island
By Jane Hodges
One of the most incredible sand islands in the world, Fraser Island,
is not found in the exotic tropics - but right here in southeast
Queensland, only 260km from Brisbane.
Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island - measuring an
incredible 184,000 hectares and stretching over 120km offshore from
the Fraser Coast.
Some of the most spectacular beaches, headlands, lakes, creeks and
rainforests found in Queensland are to be seen on Fraser.
In fact, Fraser is the only place in the world where tall
rainforests grow on sand dunes at elevations of over 200m. Here, and
on the adjacent mainland - but nowhere else - has soil developed to
a depth capable of supporting tall rainforest.
Little wonder then, that in 1992, it joined nine other special sites
in Australia and was World Heritage listed for present and future
generations to enjoy.
Fraser Island has superb white sandy beaches, stretching for miles
on end. In fact, the main stretch of beach on the eastern side of
the island is known as Seventy Five Mile Beach and stretches into an
endless horizon of whiteness fringed by a blue ocean.
In the same way as other southern Queensland sand islands, Fraser's
sands originate from materials weathered from the mountain ranges of
Northern New South Wales.
Over the centuries, eastward-flowing rivers, ocean currents and
winds have driven large amounts of sand northwards, depositing them
at rock outcrops such as those found two-thirds of the way up the
east coast of Fraser Island.
These outcrops - of volcanic origin - include the landmarks now
referred to as Indian Head, Waddy Point and Middle Rocks, and are
the only true rock found on the entire island.
The sand makes for an excellent base for a water table - and Fraser
has the second largest concentration of lakes in Australia (after
Tasmania). There are more than 100 freshwater lakes and more than 40
perched lakes.
Visitors to Fraser can either enjoy day cruises, camping safaris, or
can stay on the island overnight. There are three resorts -
Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island Retreat and Eurong. In addition,
houses can be rented on the island.
Self-drive tours in hired four-wheel drives are an option, or for
those who want to sit back and have it all done for them, there are
several excellent tours.
