How to do the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere
Guide
By Hannah Statham
Riddle us this – where would you go to find a UNESCO-worthy landscape that sits in the same class as the Galapagos Islands, Central Amazon and Uluru – but only 250km from Brisbane?
Find your answer at the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere, the stretch of land and sea which runs between Gympie and Bundaberg and as east as K'gari (formerly Fraser Island).
The Great Sandy Strait didn’t earn its UNESCO biosphere seal of approval just by being a large expanse (1,416,000 hectares) of natural space. Rather, by being a stretch of natural environment worthy of protection – with World Heritage-listed K'gari, a bird refuge and more marine diversity than what you’d find in the Great Barrier Reef – all within its borders.
Discover it for yourself, with this guide to the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere.
What’s so special about it
Two words: Mother Nature.
Geographically speaking, the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere is home to the world’s largest sand island, K'gari, where you’ll find the world’s best observable example of ancient sand dunes and tallest and most complex rainforest system, growing entirely out of sand.
Whether you’re looking for foliage, flora or fauna, you’ll find it in the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere.
The area is a renowned breeding site for endangered marine turtles, a refuge for dugongs and an internationally protected feeding ground for migratory birds. And that’s just a fraction of the other 7558 recorded species of flora and fauna found in these parts.
How to see it
The Pinnacles
Unlike some of Australia’s landlocked biosphere’s, access to this one is easy - a short three-hour drive from Brisbane.
That said, if you want to make the most of the Great Sandy Strait, you’ll want mixed modes of transport to discover this UNESCO wonder.
By car, the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere promises some of the best 4WD-ing in Queensland, especially when you swap the mainland for the world’s largest sand island, K'gari.
No 4WD or sand driving experience? No worries. Jump on board a boat cruise from Hervey Bay to see this biosphere’s bird and marine life in action. Try Hervey Bay Boat Club's unique Scenic Strait Scenic and Wildlife Cruise, a 5-hour adventure into the southern parts of the Great Sandy Marine Park; or its Sandy Strait Fishing Spot Cruise, a 4-hour guided trip to Hervey Bay's very best fishing spots.
If you can, time your visit for whale season, to see the marine giants make their annual migration through this very biosphere.
What animals habitat here
Bring your binoculars – the bird watching in this biosphere is good.
As far as winged natives go, this biosphere is home to a significant population of Australian species - 75% of the Coraciiformes species and 85% of Cuculiformes species - for those twitching at home.
The Great Sandy Biosphere also welcomes international feathered friends including 53 species which are protected by federal legislation and another 46 species who are listed under the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement.
It seems inter-continental migrations are popular in these parts. In winter, this biosphere supports a humpback highway, as the largest marine mammals migrate from Antarctica for birthing season.
For everything you need to know about whale watching before you go, spy-hop your way over here.
Photo opportunities
Clear the memory cards before a trip to this biosphere – you’ll want all the space you can.
For one of the best photo opportunities, swap the mainland for K'gari to see its famous perched lakes.
These lake formations are a K'gari speciality. In fact, the island is home to 40% of the world’s perched lakes, formed by organic matter build up, which then hardens forming depressions that catch water.
Lake McKenzie is undoubtedly the most photogenic of the 40 on the island, with its bright blue water which contrasts starkly against its white sandy shores.
Local tips
Why visit one biosphere when you can visit two? When you’re finished with the Great Sandy Strait, head south where you’ll find yourself in the adjoining Noosa biosphere.
Together the two biosphere’s make up Australia's Nature Coast, presenting visitors an unrivalled nature-escape.
The best way to move between the two is by 4WD, kicking up sand as you go along the Great Beach Drive.
Where to stay
Considering the region spans some distance from Gympie to the Bundaberg coastline on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to basing your adventure.
To stay in the thick of the action, choose the Fraser Coast, with the choice of staying either on the mainland in Hervey Bay (following this guide) or island-side.
On K'gari, choose between Kingfisher Bay Resort, Eurong Beach Resort or camping in one of the designated National Park camp areas or privately let holiday homes.
Prep further
Discover more things to see and do in this biosphere:
- Discover how to spend 48 hours on K'gari
- 9 reasons to visit K'gari
- 7 ways to see K'gari in a day
- How to do the K'gari Great Walk
