Fraser Island History

Fraser Island's colorful history continues over the years since its discovery by Captain Cook in May 1770. Captain Matthew Flinders explored Fraser Island in 1799 and the island was named after Eliza Fraser the Scottish woman who was shipwrecked on the Island.

Prior to European occupation the island was home to several thousand Aborigines. Over the years It has become the site for a number of shipwrecks, and in the early days the home to the timber industry and mineral sands exports. The mining of mineral sands was stopped during the mid 70's by the Commonwealth Government when they would not issue export licences. 

Much of the island is now protected as the Great Sandy National Park, in 1992 the park was inscribed on the World Heritage List. Now with the end to sand mining and logging, Fraser Island has become a valuable tourist attraction for fishermen and 4WD enthusiasts.

Wild brumbies were once an attraction on Fraser Island, but were taken off the island in the 90's.

Fraser Island Lakes

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, covering an area of 184,000 ha. On one side it has long golden surf beaches, on the other, sheltered coves in calm water.

On a bed of sand, magnificent rainforests have grown. Massive trees with trunks nearly 3 metres in diameter reach 50 metres into the sky. Crystal clear creeks to tea coloured freshwater lakes lie perched above sea level, held in watertight basins made of age-old plant material. Majestic sand dunes and spectacular sandblows tell the story of the ceaseless building and wearing away of the sandmass.

There's so much to see, and so much to do, so join the numerous people who are enticed to Fraser's shores every year, seeking to escape the pressures of modern living, to relax and enjoy the island's scenery and to peruse nature-based recreation including swimming, fishing, camping and bush walking.

Fraser Island's shimmering clear creeks will amaze you for many reasons, but most strikingly for their silence. Because the creek beds are sandy bottomed and don't contain rocks, they don't make usual bubbling creek noises. While slightly eerie at first, the silence only adds to their serene charm.

There are many lakes on Fraser Island, but the white sands and clear blue water of Lake McKenzie makes it one of the favourites. Lake Wabby is Fraser's deepest lake and it lies next to the Hammerstone Sandblow. Or there's Lake Allom which has its own viewing platform from which you can spot resident freshwater turtles. Lake Boomanjin is the world's largest perched lake, and its swampy areas and wetlands attract a diverse range of water birds. And in case you were wondering, its brown tinge doesn't come from a sinister source, it's just the result of tannins leaching out of the surrounding vegetation.

Eli Creek is the largest creek on Fraser's eastern shore. Its picturesque clear waters run for many kilometres and into 75 mile beach. From its boardwalk spot eels, frogs and small fish cruising along the waters.

Fraser Island Barges

Access to Fraser Island is via vehicular barges operating from Inskip Point at Rainbow Beach. 

Four-wheel drives are the only practical means of vehicle transport on the island, so if you don't have one of your own, hire one, or take a Fraser Island Tour.

For the fastest and least expensive access to Fraser Island, take the barge from Inskip Point. Barge ride takes 10 minutes and for current cost and prices click here.

Remember that Fraser Island is 4WD only, and check the tide times for low tide access only before going.

Check out our beach driving tips here.

Fraser Island Beaches

Queensland's Fraser Island is a favourite for many adventure travellers. The world's largest sand island, Fraser is simply bursting with natural attractions. From amazing wildlife to shimmering creeks to four-wheel drive adventures, Fraser Island has it all. Fraser Island has over 120 kilometres of ocean beaches but due to extra strong rips and sharks, not all of it is safe for swimming. However, Fraser's beaches are still a highlight thanks to the unique natural attractions they house, including coloured sand formations and diverse marine life.

Cathedral Beach is Fraser's eastern beach, located 10 kilometres north of Happy Valley. It is home to Fraser's famous shipwreck called the Maheno. Before it met its fate during a cyclone, the Maheno was a trans-Tasman liner on its way to a wrecking yard in Japan!

Indian Head is best described as a natural aquarium. From here you can watch tiger sharks, stingrays, manta rays dolphins and fish swimming in the crystal clear water at the base of the cliffs. Needless to say, swimming in the water here is unsafe, but watching these creatures from above on the rocky outcrop is amazing. The Champagne Pools, close to Indian Head, are also worth a look. Named after the effect of the foaming sea, which overflows and bubbles at high tide, the area is partially shielded from the ocean by volcanic rock. Swimming is safe from here.

If you want to enjoy a light aircraft ride over Fraser Island, then head to 75 mile beach. The beach is the island's runway and planes regularly depart from here. It's also Fraser's main four wheel drive highway, so it's not the spot to sit and sunbake. The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island is 160 kilometres long and 22 kilometres at its widest point. The highest sand dune on Fraser Island reaches up 244 metres, but most are about 100 - 200 metres above sea level.

Fraser's coloured sand formations are examples of the island's beautiful natural attractions. Found at Rainbow Gorge and the Cathedral, the coloured sands are the result of clay bonding with older sands, creating colourful formations. The yellows, browns and reds come from iron-rich minerals that stain the sands over time. The Pinnacles and Red Canyon are perfect examples of this beautiful natural process.