K’gari (Fraser Island) is a must-visit for every traveler. Famous for being the largest sand island
in the world, with pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear lakes, lush rainforests, and sand
dunes of many colours, this World Heritage-listed island is an incredible trip for those seeking
adventure and natural beauty, so of course we had to see it for ourselves! We decided to visit the
island on one of the 4WD bus tours as this is one of the best (and easiest) ways to explore
K’Gari as a tourist. In this post, we’ll tell you all about the day we had and why we would
absolutely recommend visiting it yourself!
Getting There
The adventure begins with an early wake-up call at the Woolshed, ready to get our transfer to the
ferry terminal. The tours offer transfers from the local accommodations to the ferry terminal,
making the journey hassle-free and super convenient for travelers. We were greeted by our
friendly guide and on the ferry we went! The journey to the island starts with a barge crossing
from Hervey Bay. The ride offers incredible views of the coast and the open ocean. Everyone had
their eyes peeled for the chance to see dolphins, turtles, and, if you’re lucky, even a humpback
whale sighting during the migration season.
Arriving on the Island
Upon reaching K’gari (Fraser Island), we were directed to our transport for the day – the huge
4WD buses! Our incredibly skilled driver took us through the rainforest, across to the east coast
of the island where we would be spending most of the day. Once we cleared the incredible (and
a little bumpy!) tracks through the forest, the trees cleared and opened up to the stunning 75
mile beach. This stretch of sandy highway serves as the island’s main transport route. The bus
tour provides a comfortable and relaxed way to make your way through this terrain, while being
able to sit back and take in the views. While travelling down the beach we were treated to views
of a huge range of wildlife. We were lucky enough to see two dingoes, sea eagles and even
breaching humpback whales.
The Maheno Shipwreck
Our first stop along 75-mile beach was the Maheno Shipwreck, one of the most iconic and
famous landmarks on the island. The rusted remains of this once grand ocean liner now lies on
the shores of the island, creating a beautiful sight (and of course a great spot for photos!). We
had plenty of time to explore this area and take in the views of this cool piece of maritime
history.
Pinnacles and Colored Sands
Next on our island adventure was a stop at the vibrant sand formations, known as the Pinnacles
and Colored Sands. These natural wonders are a must-see on your journey. Being on the bus
tour allows you to get an amazing view of them while learning about their origins from the super
knowledgeable tour guides.
Eli Creek
The next stop of the morning was a visit to Eli Creek, a crystal-clear freshwater creek that flows
into the ocean. It’s also the largest creek on the East side of the island, pouring around 4 million
litres of freshwater into the ocean every hour! Here, you can wander down the boardwalk, take a
refreshing paddle through the creek, or simply relax by the beach. The creek is so peaceful and
really highlights the natural beauty of the island. This was one of our favourite stops on the day
and something you have to experience while on K’gari.
Lunch
We then had a stop off for lunch at Kingfisher Bay Resort where we were treated to a delicious
buffet lunch. We also had some spare time here to walk around a little and check out the goods
from a little bakery and the souvenir shop. Fuelled up we jumped back on the bus ready for an
afternoon of more adventure.
Rainforest Walk
Although K’gari is probably most well known for it’s beaches and sand dunes; it’s also home to
incredible lush rainforests with unique flora and fauna. The staghorn ferns growing from the
trees towering above us really was an incredible sight. The guided rainforest walk was an
incredible way to learn about the islands rich biodiversity and ecological significance.
Lake McKenzie
Our final (and maybe my favourite) stop of the day was a visit to Lake McKenzie. A highlight of
any trip to K’gari, this freshwater lake is known for its stunning turquoise waters and pristine
white silica sand shores. Here we had plenty of time to swim, relax on the beach, or simply take
in the scenery. As it was winter the water was a little chilly, but everyone was still excited to get
in for a swim, and some of us even got a glimpse of the freshwater turtles that live in the lake.
Overall…
Our day trip to K’gari (Fraser Island) from Hervey Bay was the experience of a lifetime. The tour
had a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural history, and exploration. If you only have a day to
visit the island then this trip is perfect, it fits in all the main highlights of the island, from the
breathtaking 75-Mile Beach to the serene Lake McKenzie. It’s easy to see why K’gari is popular
with travelers from around the world. It’s safe to say I’m already wanting to go back and explore
more of the island! If you’re seeking an unforgettable day trip while you’re in Hervey Bay, be sure
to put K’gari Fraser Island at the top of your travel bucket list.v