How to make the most of 48 hours on K'gari (formerly Fraser Island)

Before you go

Accommodation

To hit the ground running, check out our guide to the best accommodation on K'gari. Eco-friendly Kingfisher Bay Resort has a wide range of hotel rooms, villas and holiday houses to suit all family sizes and budgets. And when you’re not out uncovering the unique natural qualities that earned K'gari its World Heritage-listed status, you can unwind by the pool, get pampered at the day spa, play tennis or hire a stand-up paddle board or kayak. The three on-site restaurants will save you the hassle of having to self-cater during your stay, too.

If you do decide to camp, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

Your K'gari weekend checklist

• If you’re self-driving, purchase your vehicle permit online or over the phone with QPWS.
• Check out the lay of the land here, or pre-purchase a topographic map.
• You’ll want to keep a hat, towel and swimwear with you at all times (there are many tempting swimming holes).
• Insect repellent and sunscreen will keep your skin free of bites and burns.
• Learn more about the dos and don’ts of interacting with the locals - aka the dingoes - with this guide.

Day 1

9am: Getting to K'gari

Your chariot awaits at the River Heads Ferry Terminal, located 20 minutes south of Hervey Bay. A quick 50-minute ferry ride across the Great Sandy Strait is met with the sight of blue hues and towering dunes, as you pull up to the jetty at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Tip: The ferry departs from River Heads at 6:45am, 9am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm and 6:45pm daily. Pre-booking your passenger and vehicle ferry tickets is recommended.

10am: Unwind on the white sand beach of Lake McKenzie

Drop off your bags at the resort – save poolside cocktails for later – and voyage south-east along the inland track to the island’s most acclaimed natural wonder, Lake McKenzie. It’s a bumpy journey navigating the sand trails, but well worth the bone-jangle when you step foot on white silica sand skirting blue ombre water.

Spanning 150 hectares, this freshwater perched lake sits 100 metres above sea level and is fed only by rainwater, with the pure sand acting as a filter, providing clarity to the water.

It’s an ideal spot for a snack stop if you’re peckish, with beauty that’s hard to tear your eyes from, but eat only within the designated areas and be sure to take all rubbish with you to keep the dingoes away (don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see them roaming the island throughout your stay).

Tip: If sand-driving isn’t your forte, day trips can be booked through Kingfisher Bay Resort with Cool Dingo or K’gari Explorer Tours. You might also want to check out these top day tours on the island.

1pm: Get your daily dose of green in Pile Valley

In the afternoon, swap sparkling blue waters for Pile Valley’s lush green landscape of satinay trees, giant king ferns, kauri pines and other rare flora and fauna.

The ancient rainforest lies in the historic heart of the island. It surrounds Central Station, an old logging community in the 1920s. Follow the scenic 700m boardwalk circuit along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek and keep a lookout for fish, eels and turtles in the crystal clear water. The diverse species of birds provide a peaceful soundtrack during your 30-minute walk.

Close by is a desert-like sandscape, Hammerstone Sandblow, which was formed over time by wind gusting across the island. This huge sand dune makes you feel like a colourful speck in a mound of hundreds and thousands.

The neighbouring Lake Wabby was formed through a build-up of sand that dammed around an existing creek, creating the island’s only barrage lake, throwing off an emerald gleam in its fresh water.

Kick your heart rate up a notch with a short hike up to the lookout (15 minutes each way) – the view out to the ocean is awe-inspiring.

6pm: Sunsets and local bush tucker

Once the light begins to fade, take a five-minute stroll to the Sunset Bar at the jetty for the best spot to witness the sunset. Purple and yellow bursts are mellowed by white clouds, making for a stunning sundown.

For dinner, introduce your taste buds to regional flavours and native bush tucker at the resort’s Seabelle Restaurant. The menu is inspired by the Butchulla people and uses local produce like fresh seafood, crocodile, emu and kangaroo, as well as native berries, nuts and leaves.

Day 2

7am: Cruise along the coastline

Stock up at the poolside Maheno Restaurant for a buffet breakfast. You’ll need your stamina today to conquer the ‘Big 5’ on K'gari's eastern side.

Head off around 8am for another off-road journey to 75 Mile Beach, a sweet strip of golden sand where the rainforest meets the sea. This beach is one of Queensland’s sand highways, with a maximum speed limit of 80km per hour, and less in camping zones.

Start your second day of adventure by motoring north to the wreck of S.S. Maheno, an old ocean liner-cum-World War I hospital ship, which was later sold to an Osaka shipbreaker.

It was from here in 1935 that its towline was detached in a severe cyclone, washing it away to be later found beached on the island. The rusted wreck is marvellous with much of the ship’s skeleton still intact.

Continue north along the beach, stopping to admire The Pinnacles coloured sands, with vast dunes in an array of natural tones of yellow, brown and red varieties.

10am: Swim in the Champagne Pools

The glimmering water of the Champagne Pools bursts blue and bubbles with the oceans’ ebbs and flows. Your first glimpse of this natural rock pool is cast from an overhanging boardwalk, where stairs cascade down to the rocky shores.

A short five-minute stroll from the car park reveals an aqua paradise, where water froths and spills over the rock wall and light waves swish past beach-goers.

The headland south of this is Indian Head - the most eastern point of K'gari. Named by Captain Cook when he sailed past on May 19, 1770, you can climb to the top of the cliff from the southern side beach, providing jaw-dropping 360-degree views of ocean and rainforest.

It’s also the perfect perch for spotting wildlife like manta rays, turtles and dolphins.

12pm: Float down Eli Creek

Nestled between the Maheno Wreck and Happy Valley is Eli Creek  - and it's sure to be a highlight of your 48 hours on K'gari. Filled with cool crystal-clear water and so serene, you’ll struggle to bid adieu when you make a stop here on your journey back south.

The largest creek on the eastern beach, this idyllic swimming hole pours around four million litres of fresh water into the ocean every hour.

Stroll along the surrounding boardwalk through mangroves and banksia and pop out at the creek’s entry point where you can drift with the current back down to the beach. Tip: Make the most of this experience on a blow-up doughnut or lilo.

If your floating session has left you with a new burst of energy, make your next stop the Valley of Giants. The ancient rainforest is dense, vibrant and sometimes overgrown along the 4WD loop track. You’ll feel like the only people on K'gari as you stare up at the island’s oldest and tallest timbers. 

5pm: Take the afternoon off

Back at the resort, the island is your oyster. Do with your free time as you please. Hire a stand-up paddleboard and admire the sunset over the Great Sandy Strait or take a beach walk down to the old McKenzie’s jetty (about a 5km round trip).

To finish off the day, it’s back to basics with relaxed dining and delicious burgers and pizza at The Sand Bar for dinner.

Day 3

7am: Squeeze in a last-minute paddle before heading home

Got time for a little more ocean action before departing this sand wonderland? Take a guided canoe paddle from the Kingfisher Bay beach and through the mangroves, casting an eye out for passing rays and turtles in the blue-hued shallows.

When the time has come for the ferry to tear away from the jetty and return to the mainland, aim to keep that state of nirvana intact. Remember, this is not goodbye, it’s just see you soon!

Tip: If you want to see all of the above highlights during your 48 hours on K'gari but aren’t sure about 4WDing your way around the island’s sandy tracks, Drop Bear Adventures offers a three-day/two-nights tour that ticks every box and takes care of all the details. From a Noosa or Rainbow Beach pick-up to getting to the island, setting up your group campsite, and supplying the food, 4WD and knowledgeable tour guide, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Already thinking about your next island getaway? Put these Southern Great Barrier Reef islands straight to the top of your list.

If you’re planning on staying in Hervey Bay for a few days, we’ve got your itinerary sorted.