The 14 best things to do on K’gari (Fraser Island)

Spanning the entire length of K'gari's east coast, you’ll no doubt run into 75 Mile Beach at some point during your trip. It’s a stunner to look at, but even more exhilarating to drive on, no matter the time of the year. Feel the sandy breeze in your hair as you drive up and down the famous ‘Sand Highway’ – only suitable for 4WDs. If you’re hoping to chart your own course, you’ll need to secure a vehicle access permit via the QPWS website. Be sure to stick to the 80-kilometre speed limit, and watch out for hidden bumps and holes in the sand, as well as dingoes wandering the shoreline. You can also hit all the hot spots on a one- or two-day Beauty Spots Tour aboard a 4WD bus operated by Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Fancy yourself as something of Dora the Explorer? Strap on your backpack, grab your map and navigate your way to the colossal S.S.Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach. This is the most famous of K’gari’s wrecks, stranded ashore by a cyclone while en route to Japan in 1935. Its weathered, rusty hull makes for a spectacular drone shot and is also a must-visit spot during sunrise. 

Find retreat from the summer heat in this idyllic lazy river, just a ten-minute drive from the S.S. Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach. Eli Creek pumps four million litres of clear, fresh water into the ocean every single hour. It’s so pure that you can even drink it straight from the source. Those ready for a swim will have to wade through knee-high water to reach the boardwalk, which follows the creek inland and is surrounded by lush greenery. At the end, follow the stairs down to the creek and float back to your starting point.

If you’ve had enough of the sand then make your way to the summit of Indian Head, K’gari’s most easterly point offering spectacular, panoramic views of the Coral Sea. This rugged red cliff, composed of ancient volcanic rock, resembles a Native Indian chief’s headdress, a striking geological marvel millions of years in the making. Plan your visit at sunrise for a mesmerising display of red, orange and yellow hues dancing across the serene waters.

Among K’gari’s impressive collective of 1,000-plus pristine lakes, Lake McKenzie is easily the most popular. You can step straight off the powdery, white silica sands and into the shimmering, turquoise waters of this natural wonder, which is easily reached by 4WD from Eurong or Kingfisher Bay. What’s most fascinating about this so-called ‘perched’ lake is that it's filled solely from rainwater, rather than water flowing from the ocean. Somehow the lake maintains its liquid levels year-round and is the perfect spot for a pre-dawn dip. 

Those with a Champagne Taste will have their cups easily filled by the majestic waters of K’gari’s most charming saltwater pools. Named after the fizzing bubbles created by the crashing waves at high tide, this shallow swimming hole is like Mother Nature’s very own jacuzzi. The natural rock formations act as a barrier, making Champagne Pools the only place where you can safely swim in the ocean on K’gari. Snorkelers might even spot colourful fish at low tide. 

You’ll seriously wish you had wings after soaring high into the clouds on a scenic helicopter ride over the Fraser Coast. Whether it’s a hot lap of Hervey Bay, a round trip from coast to coast, or a grand island exploration, you’ll be rewarded with the most mind-blowingly beautiful views you’ve ever seen from the sky. You can book a helicopter tour with husband-and-wife team, Nathan and Aimee, of Great Ocean Helicopters. 

Winter means whale watching season in Australia and there’s no better place to witness these gentle giants than in Hervey Bay, the world’s first Whale Heritage Site. Just a short flight or ferry ride from K’gari, this coastal town offers front-row seats to watch humpbacks migrating with their playful calves to the calm, protected waters around the bay. Your best bet for catching a glimpse of their tail-slapping, blowhole-spurting antics is between July and October, with Whalesong Cruises offering accessible, half-day tours every morning and afternoon during this period.

Hardcore hikers can explore the world’s largest sand island from top to bottom, by setting off on the K’gari Great Walk. The entire 90-kilometre trek takes the average wanderer six to eight days to complete, starting with a scenic ferry ride from Hervey Bay to Dilli Village. Along the way, you can marvel at all the treasures that have earned K’gari its World Heritage-listed status, including 1,000-year-old trees, 40 crystal-clear freshwater lakes, vast sand dunes and subtropical rainforests. Camping beneath the starry stars, away from the crowds, is the icing on the cake. You can also opt to walk shorter segments of the K’gari Great Walk, ranging from easy strolls to half- and full-day adventures.

Leave your worries at the shore as you float away on a spectacular cruise across the shimmering, turquoise waters of the Great Sandy Strait. As you sail along the 70-kilometre stretch of UNESCO biosphere, you’ll be treated to stunning views of K’gari’s untouched western coast. Tasman Ventures run daily tours, featuring guided kayak trips down secret creeks, thrilling tube rides and a sand dune climb to the best lookout point in K’gari. From the boat, keep an eye out for rare Indo-Pacific humpback whales, playful dolphins and dugongs, tiny turtles and colourful fish. 

The lush and diverse ecosystem of K’gari’s Pile Valley is the only place on Earth where rainforests grow on sand dunes. Thousand-year-old satinay trees stretch high into the sky, creating a majestic canopy that exceeds 50 metres. You can experience the marvels of this rare natural wonder on foot by following the four-kilometre Pile Valley circuit track, starting and ending at Central Station. Pack a picnic to enjoy along the way, but stay alert from dingoes roaming the rainforest. 

Embark on an incredibly scenic 40-minute flight from K’gari and find yourself on the magical coral cray of Lady Elliott Island. Located on the southern tip of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, this highly protected ‘Green Zone’ is one of the only places on Earth where you can swim with manta rays and turtles in their natural habitat. Live your best Little Mermaid fantasy as you make friends with the island’s residents, including more than 1,200 species of marine life and 1,000 manta rays in peak season during peak season (May to July). Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, which you might spot from the sky or while swimming in the crystal-clear waters.

Love hiking but hate lugging around all your stuff? You can forget about sweaty backs and bulky packs with the K’gari Blue Lakes Eco Hike, a refreshing addition to the island’s repertoire of walks that are completely pack-free. You’ll disappear into the wilderness for this spectacular 45-kilometre, three-day adventure, wandering from towering rainforests to sandy beaches and hitting all five of the island’s most beautiful freshwater lakes. At the end of each day, your essentials await at the campsites, complete with hearty cooked meals and pre-pitched tents. Bookings are available with K’Gari Walking Tours from March to November.

You’ll be worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but not without the comforts of home at the eco-friendly Kingfisher Bay Resort. This family-friendly island resort is your perfect base for exploring K’gari’s wonders and is also a sanctuary for relaxation, featuring four lagoon-style pools, an outdoor hot tub, tennis courts, seven drinking and dining venues, a general store and an intimate day spa. In September, the resort will light up the skies with a dazzling laser and sound show, Illumina, which will tell the story of the island’s incredible ecosystems.