We had seen the southern end of Fraser Island from Inskip Point on a previous holiday in Queensland so this time we decided to stay in Hervey Bay for a few days and have a trip to the Island.
We went by 4 wheel drive bus with quite a small group which was good., we were picked up at 7.30am and dropped off at about 6pm, it was a great tour.
Fraser Island is a World Heritage site on the southern coast of Queensland, Australia. Approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi) long and 24 kilometres (15 mi) wide. The island is considered to be the largest sand island in the world at 1,840 km2.
The island is made up of sand that has been accumulating for approximately 750,000 years. Volcanic bedrock provides a natural catchment for the sediment which is carried on a strong offshore current northwards along the coast. It is home to a small number of mammal species as well as a diverse range of birds, reptiles and amphibians, including the occasional saltwater crocodile.
For a short period the island was known as Great Sandy Island. The island became known as Fraser due to the stories of a shipwreck survivor named Eliza Fraser.
Today the island is a popular tourism destination, with accommodation, 15 camping sites (fenced to keep the Dingoes out – what Dingoes!!) and a network of walking tracks, hiking tracks and a network of sand roads.
Ferry departing from River Heads
Beautiful Lake Mckenzie
Beautiful clear water but it was the middle of winter so was quite cold!!
Foxtail fern ( I think) this fern is only found on Fraser Island
This sign is as close as we got to a Dingo!! Gutted
Central Station, where we stopped here for lunch. Central Station is the site of an old logging camp. Logging is illegal on Fraser Island as it is now World Heritage Listed. Central Station has a picnic area, information centre and a boardwalk that follows Wanggoolba Creek (which has water so clear you can hardly see it) and winds through the rainforests.
75 Mile beach – looking south
75 mile beach – looking north
The tour provided plenty of time at Eli creek for a scenic flight. We decided to explore the area instead – maybe next time.
Maheno Shipwreck
The Maheno was once a trans-Tasman liner – she was on her way to a Japanese ship wrecking yard in 1935 when a cyclone forced her to shore. Now she stands a rusting hulk, providing a stark contrast against the ocean and sands on 75 Mile Beach and wonderful photo opportunity 🙂
Eli Creek, the largest creek on the eastern side of Fraser Island, pours up to four million litres of clear, fresh water into the ocean every hour.
We did our trip with Fraser Experience – we enjoyed this tour, a small group with a great picnic lunch at Central Station and interesting commentary about the Island today and it’s history. Other operators offered a buffet lunch at a resort but that’s not really our thing.
Eli creek, there is a good board walk (see below) up the creek, you can walk back down the creek in the water.
Coloured sands, a short drive up the coast from Eli Creek – then back to the ferry terminal.
Leaving Fraser Island after a great day!
offthemainroadnz.com 