How to Visit Fraser Island, Australia

Fraser Island, a 75-mile-long island created by long shore drift, is the largest sand island in the world. But in addition to sand dunes aplenty, the island, off the coast of Queensland in Australia, is also covered with rich vegetation and freshwater lakes. Though once used as a source for natural resources, in the past several decades there have been efforts made to preserve and protect the island, which is now listed as a World Heritage Area. Throngs of tourists flock to Fraser annually to camp, swim and hike in the unique surroundings.

Instructions

1. Plan your trip to the island depending on the type of experience you want. Package trips with companies like Oz Experience or Fraser Experience charge travelers a flat rate that includes the costs for food, accommodations (camping), transportation and group leader guidance. Visitors can also opt to explore Fraser on their own by renting a 4WD vehicle, necessary to travel around the island, and available for rent in Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach.

2. Apply for all required permits before arriving on Fraser. If you are renting a vehicle to bring to the island, a vehicle permit is needed. If you are camping individually or with a group, camping permits are required. (Package trips typically take care of permit application and acquisition for participants.)

3. Catch a ferry or vehicle barge from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach to Fraser Island. Both round-trip and single-fare rates are available, and the boats dock at various locations around the island, including local resorts. Vehicle rates for the barge typically include three passengers; additional are extra.

4. Pick your accommodation if you are not traveling on a package trip. Campgrounds vary greatly on the island, ranging from cabins to amenity-filled campsites to remote clearings. If camping is not your style, local accommodation offerings like Kingfisher Bay or Eurong Beach Resorts, which include hotel rooms, villas and apartments, are available.

5. Swim in Lakes McKenzie, Jennings, Birabeen or Boomanjin or hike on one of Fraser's many trails. Lake swimming is quite popular on Fraser, as the surrounding ocean water contains man-eating sharks and poisonous jellyfish at certain times of the year, in addition to a strong undertow. Fishing on 75 Mile Beach, one of the best fishing spots in Australia, is also popular.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware of the dingoes on Fraser Island, which have been known to, at times, be aggressive toward humans.

References

• World Heritage Site
• Fraser Island accommodations