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7 reasons to visit the world’s largest sand island: K'gari
Words Chris Whitelaw and Julija Zivanovic Pics Matt Williams and Supplied
K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Brisbane’s Bay Islands are recognised for their unique natural landscape and attractions, and if you’re not across what makes them so awesome, we’re here to help. Read on to discover why you must visit K'gari at least once if you love the beach and 4WD adventures.
K'gari means “paradise” in the native tongue of the Butchulla people, and we can easily see why (Credit: Matt Williams)
“Windows down, breeze whistling around the Troopie’s cabin, a low surf shooshing onto the sandy ‘highway’ laid bare at low tide …”
K'gari (Fraser Island) is not just the biggest sand island in Australia, it is the biggest in the world, cultivating a unique environment for a bounty of flora and fauna not found anywhere else. Whether you’re taking a day trip (is it ever enough time?) or a week-long journey across to K'gari or any other of Brisbane’s Bay Islands, this part of Australia is the perfect choice for outdoor adventures.
K'gari and fellow sand islands Moreton (Mulgumpin), Bribie (Yarun), North and South Stradbroke (Minjerribah) aren’t just about sand dunes either, although they have them in spades (pun intended). The real gems are found within the rich Aboriginal culture and incredible natural scenery from tall rainforests and freshwater lakes to breathtaking whale watching. Not to mention the ‘sand’ highways found on these islands offer some of the best scenic four-wheel driving in the country.
Keep reading as we give you seven fantastic reasons to visit the world’s largest sand island.
4WD adventures
K'gari and the rest of the Brisbane Islands offer some of the best four-wheel driving adventures in the country (Credit: Matt Williams)
The sand islands of South East Queensland (SEQ) offer some of the best four-wheel driving adventures in the state, from seemingly limitless beach runs with ocean views that stretch to the horizon to cross-country tracks that explore undulating dune fields and dense rainforests.
Apart from a few short bitumen sections in the villages, all roads on K'gari are unsealed and sandy. 75 Mile Beach runs up the surf side of the island, while the hinterland is interlaced with scenic drives that connect all the major attractions. There are also endless options on the rest of the islands — just grab our guidebook (more on this below) to discover them all.
Traditional Owners
The Butchulla Aboriginal people settled on K'gari tens of thousands of years ago (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Indigenous people of many tribes arrived in SEQ at least 20,000 years ago. The Butchulla settled on K'gari, the Djindubari on Yarun, the Ngugi on Mulgumpin and the Gorenpul and Nunagal on Minjerribah (Aboriginal name for North and South Stradbroke Islands, which used to be one).
Evidence of Aboriginal occupation on these islands exists at hundreds of archaeological sites and places of special significance. First Nations’ heritage spanning millennia has been recognised in native title determinations over most of the islands and large parts of the sea around them. Their association with ancestral lands is maintained through ongoing cultural activities and joint management of the natural and cultural resources of national parks according to traditional lore and practices.
Many sites of significance to Aboriginal culture and history can be found throughout K'gari and the other Brisbane Islands.
European history
The Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach, K’gari (Credit: Events and Tourism Queensland)
European contact with the islands dates from 1770 through exploration by James Cook and Matthew Flinders, which heralded maritime endeavours that define the region’s history. K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, was originally named after Eliza Fraser who survived a shipwreck in 1836 and was cared for by Butchulla people until she returned to white society.
The Maheno shipwreck on K'gari’s 75 Mile Beach (an excellent place for fishing; more on this below) dates back to 1935 and is a must-see attraction for tourists on that drive. During WWII, K'gari was the home of the ‘Z Force’ commando school, and battery fortifications were established on Yarun and Mulgumpin for the defence of Brisbane. History buffs will enjoy exploring the weathered remains of these military relics.
Fishing nirvana
Fishing on K'gari (Credit: Gavin James)
The picturesque waters around the sand islands of SEQ offer some of the best fishing anywhere on the Australian coast. Just about every saltwater species can be chased by keen anglers throughout the year. The surf gutters off the islands’ ocean beaches are ideal for beach fishing, while the Great Sandy Strait and Pumicestone Passage provide excellent opportunities for estuarine fishing and crabbing.
Trailer boats can be launched at numerous locations for access to offshore zones where both northern coral and southern reef species can be found. Artificial reefs in Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay also offer reef fishing in their sheltered waters — popular spots and well worth visiting.
Humpback migration
Hervey Bay — regarded as the Whale Watching Capital of the World — hosts more than 1500 humpback whales and their calves on their annual southbound migration. This migration usually occurs in the winter months from around mid-August through to mid-October, and the passage may also be seen from many vantage points, such as Cape Moreton and Point Lookout.
Lush rainforests
Wanggoolba Creek at Central Station on K’gari (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
K'gari’s majestic satinays (Fraser Island turpentine) dominate the Valley of the Giants and Pile Valley, dwarfing the lush subtropical rainforest around them. It is an awe-inspiring experience to walk around these titans which exist nowhere else in the world. A must-see for nature lovers!
Sand highways
The long ocean beaches fringing the islands’ eastern shorelines are ‘highways’ where road rules and speed limits apply. K'gari’s 75 Mile Beach runs 120km from Hook Point to Indian Head, interspersed with occasional creek crossings, patches of coffee rock and a detour around Yidney Rocks.
On Yarun, Ocean Beach (23km) fronts white, wind-swept dunes which protect serene freshwater lagoons, while Mulgumpin’s east coast is one long (35km) strand from Short Point to Cape Cliff, with its vivid reds and stark black coffee rock. Minjerribah’s (North Stradbroke) Main Beach stretches 30km south of Point Lookout, linking designated campsites behind the dunes.
Grab your copy today!
The above is an edited extract from the Hema K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Brisbane Islands Atlas & Guide, a 220-page 1st Edition book which provides extensive and up-to-date information on the whole sand islands region of South East Queensland. It features comprehensively guided walking and four-wheel driving tracks, detailed national park and track inset maps — all field checked by the Hema Map Patrol — visitor information, history and culture, all the best campsites, trip planning tips and much more.
This easy-to-use guidebook takes the difficulty out of planning a trip to this incredible region of Australia. You can easily purchase the Hema K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Brisbane Islands Atlas & Guide from the Hema Maps website or from leading retailers.
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