About K'gari

Park features

K'gari is the world's largest sand island and an area of remarkable natural beauty. It was listed as a World Heritage Area in 1992 to recognise the island's internationally significant natural features:

• evolving dune, lake, soil and forest systems, the extent and age of which are outstanding examples of ongoing geological and biological processes
• unique landscapes, which are examples of superlative natural occurrences.

Growing on seemingly infertile sands are a great variety of plant communities ranging from coastal heath, mangrove forests and swamps to subtropical rainforest.

The many archaeological remains found on K'gari record thousands of years of culture and tradition, and provide important links to their past for the Butchulla people.

The island is 123km long and covers an area of 166,038ha, so you need to allow plenty of time to explore and appreciate it.

• Read more about the natural environment, culture and history of the K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area, Great Sandy National Park.

Places to see

Lake Boomanjin

This is the largest perched lake in the world, covering almost 200ha. Its waters are stained brown by tannins leached from the vegetation. Please read about water safety.

Central Station

Many memorable walks leave from Central Station. Stroll through the rainforest along Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk, visit the peaceful Basin Lake, or stand among the impressive satinay trees in Pile Valley.

Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie)

This inland, perched lake is a popular site. Its white sand and sparkling blue waters attract many visitors, with busiest times between 10.30am and 3pm. Please read about water safety. There are short walks to the lake from each of the three fenced picnic areas. Popular sites also attract wongari (dingoes), so please remember that food or drinks (except water) are prohibited at lakeshores.

Lake Wabby

This is the deepest lake on K'gari. Its shore lies at the advancing edge of the Hammerstone Sandblow. Take Cornwell's Break Road up to the ridge above the lake, where a short walk leads to a splendid lookout offering a view of this barrage lake and the sandblow that is slowly engulfing it. It is considered a significant cultural site by the Butchulla people. The water is shallower than it first appears. Do not dive or jump into the lake. Never run, jump, board, slide, roll or race down the sand dune that leads into the lake, even if you see others doing dangerous things. Many serious spinal injuries have occurred here. Swimming is not recommended. Please read about water safety.

Eli Creek

Cool off next to this crystal clear freshwater creek that flows through vegetated banks and right out to the beach. Watch for eels and frogs from the boardwalk and see small empire gudgeon and jungle perch fish swimming against the current. Please read about water safety.

Kingfisher Bay

Sheltered coastline, impressive views across the Great Sandy Strait and historical sites are all within easy walking distance of Kingfisher Bay.

Lake Allom

Tucked into a rainforest hollow, this lake offers a cool respite from the salty beach environment. A circuit track around the lake meanders through a variety of plant communities. Wait on the viewing platform and watch for freshwater turtles, but please do not feed them. Please read about water safety.

Wun’gul Sandblow

Enjoy expansive coastline views from the first dune crest of this sandblow.

Waddy Point headland

Take in a vista of beach and ocean. Watch for sea turtles, sharks and stingrays coasting along.

Binngih Sandblow (Waddy Point)

Catch sweeping views across Waddy Point headland and north over Marloo Bay to Sandy Cape, the site of the only lighthouse on K'gari.

Ocean Lake

Ocean Lake is home to a variety of water birds taking advantage of the reeds and undisturbed sections of the lake. Nearby, an easy walk through cypress, banksia and melaleuca woodland offers a good lookout with panoramic views. Please read about water safety.

Looking after the park

• Keep K'gari clean
• Toileting
• Recycling and rubbish disposal
• Fish right
• Keep wildlife wild

Keep K'gari clean

• Don't use soaps, toothpastes, skin and sun creams, personal insect repellents and detergents in the lakes and streams.
• Use toilets if provided, as human waste in lakes and streams is unhealthy and promotes unnatural levels of algal growth.
• Avoid spreading pests and diseases. Don't bring animals, plants, plant materials or soil to the island.
• Be sure to bin your cigarette butts and all little bits of litter.
• Animals, plants, bush timber or soil cannot be brought to K'gari without the permission of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Toileting

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service  (QPWS) recommends bringing and using a portable toilet when camping in areas without toilet facilities.

You must bring your own portable toilet when camping at the Cornwells group camping area.

Never empty portable toilet waste into QPWS toilets, or onto the ground. Refer to the K'gari map (PDF, 570.5KB) for portable waste disposal facility locations.

If bush toileting is absolutely necessary, please:

• bury your waste and toilet paper at least 50cm deep and at least 50m from creeks and lakes, or as signposted.
• bag and bin all sanitary items and nappies.
• be dingo-safe on K'gari. Never go alone.

Also see: Bush toileting practices—a short information video.

Beach camping—leave no trace

• Camp behind the foredunes where permitted.
• Camp at least 50m from streams and lakes.
• Use existing camp sites.
• Avoid digging trenches.
• Don't trample or park on vegetation.
• Be responsible with rubbish disposal.

Recycling and rubbish disposal

• If you can, please take your rubbish off the island with you. This saves energy.
• If you cannot do this, dispose of it at one of the waste transfer stations provided and marked on the K'gari map (PDF, 570.5KB) .
• Please do not throw rubbish into the bush.
• Never bury or burn rubbish.
• Be dingo-safe at the rubbish bins.

You can help.

• Reduce your packaging before you go to the island.
• Bring products with lightweight, crushable packaging (e.g. aluminium cans).
• Avoid bringing glass.
• Separate your recyclables from general waste; whole glass bottles, plastic containers, clean paper, aluminium and steel cans, and cardboard can all be recycled when you get home.
• If a bin is full, please use another; never leave rubbish lying around the rubbish bins.
• For more information watch Reduce and recycle rubbish—a short information video.

You must not leave hazardous waste in or around the bins.

• Chemicals, batteries, used oil, paints, tyres and materials containing asbestos are not accepted at the bins.
• Take these materials off the island and dispose of them properly.
• Penalties apply for illegal dumping.

Fish right

• Keep fish, bait and berley in sealed containers away from wongari (dingoes).
• Bury fish remains and unused bait just below high tide mark—dig a deep hole and cover the fish scraps with at least 50cm of sand.
• Bury fish remains when wongari are not around, so they don't associate finding the remains with people.
• Dispose of used bait bags and unwanted fishing line in bins.
• Fish cleaning is prohibited in all camping areas.
• All freshwater fish are protected on K'gari—fishing or collecting bait in lakes and streams is not permitted.

Keep wildlife wild

• Do not feed or leave food available for animals.
• Our food does not suit wildlife—it can make them sick.
• Plastic bags kill animals. Bin your bags or don't bring them.
• For more information watch Keep wildlife wild—a short information video.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting the environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area is managed by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation's Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships. The Great Sandy Region Management Plan 1994–2010 guides the management of the area. The island is protected to conserve its natural and cultural resources. Most of the island is a national park protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 to the low water mark. There are some freehold areas, such as townships.

Tourism information links

Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre
www.fcte.com.au
227 Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road, Urraween, Qld 4655
Open: Daily 9am to 5pm

Closed: Christmas day and Good Friday

Hervey Bay Airport Visitor Information Centre
www.fcte.com.au
Airport Terminal, Don Adams Drive, Hervey Bay Qld 4655
Opening times subject to flight timetables.

Closed: Christmas day

For more information about:

• K'gari tourism see: www.visitfrasercoast.com
• For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.

Further information

QPWS discovery and journey guides provide information that is critical for your visit Queensland’s national parks. For areas in the Fraser Coast region, download:

• K'gari Discovery Guide (PDF, 6.2MB)
• Cooloola Recreation Area Discovery Guide (PDF, 4.3MB)

Camping bookings

See camping and accommodation.

Permit refunds

Refunds are granted in extenuating circumstances, but only if requested before the permit commences. To find out more download the refund operational policy.

Email: qpws@des.qld.gov.au

Useful contacts

All emergencies: phone Triple Zero (000).

Non-urgent calls

Police (Eurong): (07) 4127 9288

Ambulance: 13 12 33

• The ambulance station at Happy Valley is manned 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm.
• Outside of these hours the officers are on call (24hrs a day).
• If the ambulance station is closed (due to a call out or emergency), contact can be made via the telephone on the side of the station building.

Mechanical assistance

• Eurong: 0427 279 173

Tow truck services

• Eurong: 0428 353 164

Taxi service

• Eurong: (07) 4127 9188 and 0429 379 188

Barges

Inskip to K'gari south: No bookings required

• Enquiries to 'Manta Ray' barge company: (07) 5486 3935 or 0418 872 599

River Heads to K'gari west: Bookings essential.

• Enquiries to 'Fraser Island Barges' company: 1800 227 437

Air services

• Air Fraser (Hervey Bay) 1300 172 706

Marine strandings

• Phone 1300 130 372.

K'gari publications

• Driving on sand brochure (PDF, 2.3MB)
• K'gari Discovery Guide (PDF, 6.2MB)
• Great Sandy Region Management Plan 1994–2010
• Reptiles, Frogs and Freshwater Fish: K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area (PDF, 196.0KB)
• Birds: K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area (PDF, 151.2KB)
• Mammals: K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area (PDF, 320.6KB)
• K'gari dingo publications.