Fraser Island

Fraser Island is situated off the southeast coast of Queensland and is separated from the mainland by the Great Sandy Straits and Hervey Bay. Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island, almost 110 km long and ranges in width from about 7 to 23 km.

The island's sandhills, which are up to 400,000 years old, rise to heights of about 240 m. Rain forests grow on the sand dunes of Fraser Island, unlike on other sand islands. Large stands of Hoop, kauri, blackbutt, and satinay trees are common.

There are more than 40 deep freshwater lakes on the island, some of which are perched high above sea level. Lake Boemingen, the largest of these lakes, is almost 500 acres in area.

The island is exceptionally rich in plant life, with well-preserved tidal marshes, subtropical rain forests and large expanses of mangroves on the western side of the island, and areas of open forests on the east.

Fraser Island's amazing ecosystems and landscape was officially acknowledged in 1992 when it was accorded World Heritage Area status. Its evolving ecosystems include dunes, lakes and rainforest growing on sand, so its World Heritage Listing comes as no surprise.

Access to Fraser Island is via vehicular barges operating from Inskip Point at Rainbow Beach, or by charter aircraft or boat. 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 Safari Tour.

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

For the fastest and least expensive access to Fraser Island, take the barge from Inskip Point. Barge ride takes 10 minutes. For details on Barge services click here.