Fraser Island renamed – World's largest sand island reverts to its original name, K’gari

In a truly historic act of cultural preservation, The Queensland Government has officially declared that Fraser Island will return to its former, traditional name, K’gari.  

The renaming of the world’s largest sand island represents a profound shift towards recognising and honouring the enduring connection the Traditional Owners of K’gari - the Butchulla People - have with country.

Located just off the Fraser Coast, around 300km north of Brisbane, K’gari is a place of unparalleled beauty, gaining UNESCO World Heritage Area status in 1992.   

This important chapter in the island’s 750,000-year history has been a long time coming for the Butchulla People, who in 2021 made a successful bid to change the World Heritage Area name from Fraser Island World Heritage Area to K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area.  

Throughout 2022, the Department of Resources (the lead agency responsible for place naming) consulted with First Nations People and Traditional Owners, local governments and emergency and postal services. Public consultation was undertaken with nearly 6,000 submissions received, making it the largest place name consultation undertaken in Queensland.

On 7 June 2023, a ceremony was held on the island, to celebrate the official name change to K’gari. 

The Butchulla People, who have cared for the area’s land, sea, flora and fauna for an estimated 20,000 years, say K’gari is the name of the white spirit that was sent down from the sky by the god Beeral, to help his messenger Yindingie create the island and waterways.  

In the lead up to the reinstatement of the original name, Dr Rose Barrowcliffe, a Post Doctoral Research Fellow and Butchulla Woman explained the importance of reinstating the original place name to her people. 

“Australia has the oldest continuously living cultures in the world. It’s the most unique thing about us as a continent and a destination. So, by honouring Indigenous cultures, by using place names, we are raising up the culture and saying we are proud of it. And we are showcasing a unique part of our offering to the world,” she explains. 

“K’gari is one of those places that is incredibly well known, not just nationally but internationally. We have a huge amount of international visitors that come to see K’gari every year. So, what we are doing when we are respecting Indigenous place names, is we are respecting Indigenous culture.” 

It’s a feeling shared by Aunty Gayle Minniecon, chairperson of the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation.

“In our creation stories, our stories handed down by generations, it has always been K’gari and always will be," she says.

The Butchulla people of K’gari abide by three lores which visitors are encouraged to observe and respect when visiting the island. 

Aunty Joyce Bonner, the language and culture coordinator at the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation explains, “‘Minyang galangoor gu, djaa kalim baya-m’ which is about country, ‘what is good for country must come first. 

“‘Minyang waa nyinung, waa bunmalee dhama-n’ is about ‘do not touch or take anything that is here on country’, it’s there for a reason, it’s the for the sacredness of our ancestors and it’s our duty to look after it.    

“And our third lore, ‘wangou nyin gamindu, biralunbar nyin wumga-n’, ‘if you have plenty, you must share’. So, what we mean by sharing, it’s sharing of values, the cultural assets that we have here and it’s about sharing the education of culture to ensure the island is protected for the next generation.”

So, the next time you pay a visit to K’gari, bask a little longer at this World Heritage Listed Wonder. Float in one of the 100 freshwater lakes on the island, tackle the island’s labyrinth of sandy tracks in a 4WD tour, gaze in awe at the towering rose-hued sand cliffs that fringe the coastline and soak up the spirit and connection of the Butchulla people that is woven into every inch of K’gari, from the wave breaks to the rainforest.