Fraser Island
Have you ever heard of Fraser Island? Fraser Island is a heritage-listed island located along the southern coast of Queensland, Australia, approximately 200 kilometers north of Brisbane.
To be able to fully enjoy your trip to this spectacular place, you will need a 4WD vehicle. The island itself is knows for a Fraser Highway just along the coast with the waves touching the wheels. It’s fun!
The island is considered to be the largest sand island in the world at 1,840 km2. The island offers a lot. Rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, wallum and peat swamps, sand dunes and coastal heaths. It is made up of sand that has been accumulating for around 750,000 years.
One-day tour with Experience Fraser company
To spend a lovely day at this Island we decided on a day-tour with Experience Fraser company. The 1st step to get to the island is to take the ferry. The ride takes around 40 minutes and then we were told to meet with the guide and the rest of the group on our 4WD bus. The 1st part of the journey is basically just driving through the varried forests of the island and admiring the bus driver skills as the road is way too bumpy. But after the carousel ride it’s time to drive right next to the ocean which is much more pleasant. And Amazing. The beach is very wide and long, no wonder it is called 75-mile beach. The traffic is moderate and you regret this kind of roads are not everywhere, on a mainland.
The Maheno shipwreck
Our first destination is The Maheno shipwreck – the most famous of Fraser Island’s wrecks that has become a landmark attraction. In 1935, this ship was sold to Japan for scrap.The rudders of the boats were removed and it was being towed to Japan. When it reached Queensland Waters, a cyclonic storm snapped the tow chain and the Maheno drifted helplessly onto Fraser Island’s ocean beach.
Shipwreck, the Maheno on Fraser Island
The Pinnacles – Fraser Island colored sands
The Pinnacles, Fraser Island colored sands are the next attraction of the way. The stunning coloured sands that occur on Fraser Island comprise of 72 different colours, mostly reds and yellows. The colours are caused by the leaching of oxides and the decay of vegetation that coats each grain of sand, causing bands of color
Eli Creek
Third Attraction on the list for the day was getting to Eli Creek, the largest creek on the eastern beach of Fraser Island, that pours up to four million litres of clear, fresh water into the ocean every hour. Eli Creek is a popular picnic and swimming spot. Swimming or floating down the swiftly flowing creek from the bridge at the far end of the boardwalk is an invigorating experience.
The awe-inspiring McKenzie Lake
Finally, the schedule takes us to the awe-inspiring McKenzie Lake which is the highlight of the whole trip, for sure. It’s a ‘perched’ lake, which means it contains only rainwater, no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean. The sand and organic matter at the base of the lake form an impervious layer, preventing rainwater from draining away.
The sand here is pure, white silica and is not only beautiful to look at but feels beautifully soft to walk on.The sand acts as a filter, giving the water its clarity and helping to make the water so pure it can support very little life.
The blues and greens of the lake are endlessly fascinating.
The Pile Valley
Last, but not least, the journey takes us to the Pile Valley. A place of silent streams and tall ancient rainforest trees that seem to defy nature by thriving in sand. A place to stop and experience the tranquil nature of Fraser Island.
The cost of a trip
To sum up the whole trip, it’s definitely worth to give it a go! 1-day adventure will cost you from180$-225$ per day, as it requires the 4WD vehicle as well as tickets to enter the Great Sandy National Park and the Fraser Island itself.
Just remember to check the weather forecast, if possible. Lake McKenzie and the whole experience will be much more enjoyable on a sunny weather.
Sunset, Fraser Island ferry
17 comments
Looks like a trip full of varied attractions! Definitely worth it! The ride itself must be so much fun 🙂
First of all I was impressed of the size of this island. It’s huge! And there are so many things to do! I would love to walk on that soft sand and admire the different colors of the water and the reflections of the nature. The shipwreck would be a great visit as well, I don’t think I have ever seen anything similar. 72 different shades of colored sand? Yes please, I’d love to see The Pinnacles!
Oh wow this island is absolutely gorgeous, its like the islands I dream about escaping to, hehe. The Mackenzie Lake sounds amazing, I didn’t actually know that a lake could be created soley from rainwater and no other incoming water such as streams, that is incredible!
Wow! That’s just a gorgeous. So awesome you were able to visit there. Australia is some place I’ve always wanted to visit
Superb really nice view! I want to visit this place for once in my life!
This is such a stunning views. and it looks like you had a great trip. It is definitely WORTH to visit.
wow, what an amazing place for a relaxing vacation! really like how serene and peaceful the scenery looks!
Ooh the lake looks so beautiful. I would love to just be around it and take in the fresh air that it contains. The remnants of that shipwreck would be kind of cool to see in person also.
Fraser Island is so beautiful and scenic, love all the pictures, you have done justice capturing the beauty of this UNESCO heritage site. I would love to visit this place.
Wow! Fraser Island looks like such a great place to visit. I’d love to see The Maheno shipwreck upclose oneday!
I have heard of the Frasier Islands but I didn’t know that they were part of Australia. You took really beautiful pictures.
Fraser Island is an island I dream of getting there at a young age to escape everything. It was wonderful, I never went there to explore. But I have plans to come to the island to fulfill my dream. It’s great to see you share about Fraser Island.
What lovely photos, I haven’t heard of Fraser Island before but it really does look special.
absolutely gorgeous photos..never heard of this place but now will definitely add it to my travel diary for future trips!
I was immediately blown away when I first looked at the first picture you put up. This place looks exquisite and beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go to Australia. This will have to be one of my go to destinations.
Woow!! I wil love to check it, it looks unreal. First photo is breathtaking, did you take it?
All pictures on this blog have been taken by us 🙂