Fraser Island Travel Story - Island in the Stun
By JESSICA HURTLast Update: Saturday, January 7, 2006
THE light aircraft takes off from Hervey Bay and quickly rises over the water. The sea is so clear that the shadows of turtles can be seen from the air as we make the 20-minute flight to Fraser Island - well, so I am told.
For I am sitting in the front, just centimeters from the flight deck, as white as a ghost, with air sickness – the true luxury of a private plane ride and our very own tour of the island by air lost on me. Thankfully for those who suffer in the air, there also is a ferry which takes you from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island in about 40 minutes. You can also reach the island by helicopter but you really can't beat your own private plane and landing on the beach (even if I am too sick to really enjoy the experience).
The plane touches down ever so smoothly on its makeshift runway – Seventy Five Mile Beach at Fraser Island.
And what a place to land.
White sand stretches for as far as the eye can see, the water-lapped beach is secluded except for a few families whose camping sites are tucked away in the sand dunes. The only things disturbing this perfect scenario are the huge sandflies which hover around the champagne and croissants laid out for us at a campsite.
Unlike many other Queensland regions, Fraser Island has not been taken over by huge developers keen on cashing in on the tourist dollar.
Instead of skyscrapers and tourist parks, the island's beauty remains in the picturesque rainforests, the deserted beaches and the magical lakes – there are no high-rises here. Timber logging was carried out on the island until the early '90s. Loggers discovered a bountiful supply of both soft and hard woods. The timber was used for everything from butter boxes to helping reline the banks of the Suez Canal and restoring the London docks after World War II.
Thankfully, the logging stopped in 1991 and what remains is an island full of tropical rainforests, with native plants and towering giant trees lining the creek beds.
Tourists can catch glimpses of the bird life if they visit Wanggoolba Creek – a boardwalk which takes you along the forest floor. Those with some energy and a few days to spare can set off on walks that make their way from one end of the island to the next.
There are also tours designed specifically for singles, couples and families, taking in some of the island's highlights.
Or if it's relaxation you are after, the Kingfisher Bay Resort – surrounded by bushland on one side and the beach on the other – is the ideal place to unwind.
Here, you can take a leisurely walk along the beach, take a dip in one of the pools or, if you are feeling energetic, get up early before it is too hot and follow one of the walking trails into the bush.
Fraser Island was discovered by Aborigines about 20,000 years ago and again by tourists in the 1930s.
The island's sand was pumped for minerals in the 1960s and 1970s but it still remains the largest sand island in the world.
And, more recently, the island received another accolade when U.S. business magazine Forbes named it the fifth-sexiest island in the world.
If Fraser is a sexy island, then Lake McKenzie, one of the island's most famous freshwater lakes, has to be one of the world's sexiest lakes. As you make your way through the surrounding scrub to the lake, make sure you have your sunglasses on because the first thing that strikes you is the glare from the sand.
Lining the beach would have to be the whitest sand I have seen and the water is crystal-blue, with barely a ripple.
Not only does it look good but I am told the sand also has cleansing properties. After a quick scrub with a mixture of the sand and water, my grandma's engagement ring has never looked so dazzling on my finger.
Whether it is sipping bubbly in the shallow waters or a picnic in the shade (we did both) or a quick trip around the lake in a canoe (we watched from the beach), the lake is the perfect place to spend a few hours doing as you please.
While we are handing out titles, it must be said Hervey Bay would have to be one of the best whale-watching spots in the world.
Weighing up to 45 tonnes and eating as much as a tonne of krill a day, the humpback whales are helping to put Queensland's Hervey Bay on the tourist map.
The gateway to Fraser Island, the bay is quickly becoming a must-see holiday destination.
Hervey Bay is less than an hour's flight from Sydney or 2 ½ hours by car from Brisbane. The best time of the year to visit the area is during whale season, from July to early November. We missed the season by a few weeks but found there was still plenty to do and see in Hervey Bay before we headed across to Fraser Island.
The adventurous can go sailing, kayaking or fishing but if it's a relaxing holiday you are after, you have come to the perfect place.
The Outrigger Hervey Bay resort has arguably the best location on the bay. Built on the marina, you can sit back on your balcony with a glass of wine and watch the boats bobbing up and down, or lie by the pool and work on your tan.
After taking in the view from my room, I joined the group for a tour of the town by bike.
The track winds its way along the beach so you are never far away from the spectacular views of the untouched coastline.
It is little wonder Australians are heading here in droves, looking for a sea change or to escape their busy lives for a few days.
For more information on Hervey Bay, visit www.herveybay.au.com
Where to stay
Kingfisher Bay Resort: Nestled in the bush with the edge of the Great Sandy Strait only minutes from the resort is the Kingfisher Bay Resort. On the western side of Fraser Island, it has four spectacular swimming pools and the award-winning Seabelle Restaurant, but also is a great base to take part in whale-watching cruises, fishing clinics and bushwalks. There also is a Junior Eco Ranger program for children, including activities such as canoeing and orienteering. Accommodation is surrounded by bushland, with your own private deck.
Mantra Hervey Bay: The only absolute marina front resort in the region. This is an ideal resort for unwinding, taking leisurely strolls along the beach or a dip in the pool, or grabbing a bike from reception and riding along the esplanade. For those wanting a little more activity, in Hervey Bay there is also fishing, sailing and kayaking.
Every room has spectacular views of the Urangan Marina.
Whale-watching season is from late July until early November, with a fleet of specially designed whale-watching vessels departing from Urangan Boat Harbour. There are several vessels with underwater viewing rooms, allowing you to get up close and personal with a humpback whale. Half-day and Full-day tours available.
Fraser Explorer Tours: This is strictly FWD territory. However, if the thought of driving yourself around is too demanding, the best idea is to book a tour (and accommodation package) through Eurong Beach Resort. The Fraser Explorer Tours include two days of sightseeing around the island, taking in Lake McKenzie and Indian Head, and include a local guide, motel accommodation and all meals.
Cool Dingo Tour: Aimed at the 18-to-35 market, this tour includes action-packed days and fun nights partying at the Dingo Bar and nightclub at Kingfisher Bay's Wilderness Lodge. The two-day and three-day tours are all-inclusive.