Fraser Island

Fraser Island is located along the southern coast of Queensland, Australia. Its length is about 120 kilometres (75 mi) and its width is approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi). It is the largest sand island in the world (1840 km²). It also Queensland's largest island and the largest island of East Coast of Australia.

It was called 'K'gari' or paradise in the Butchulla's people language. The name Fraser Island comes from Eliza Fraser and her story of survival from a shipwreck on the island in 1836.

Fraser Island has rain forest, eucalyptus woodland, sand dunes and coastal heaths. Fraser Island is also home for many mammal species, as well as a diverse range of birds, reptiles and amphibians, including the occasional saltwater crocodile.

A major landmark of Fraser Island is the shipwreck of S.S. Maheno. It was originally built on 1905 as a luxury passenger ship. On July 9, 1935 she drifted ashore and beached on Fraser Island. During the Second World War the Maheno served as target bombing practice for the RAAF and was used as an explosives demolition target by special forces from the Fraser Commando School. The ship has since become severely rusted, with almost three and a half storeys buried under the sand. Climbing on the shipwreck is not permitted.


The island can be reached by ferry from Hervey Bay or Inskip Point north of Rainbow Beach, or by chartered flight via Maroochydore Airport. Four-wheel drive is required for some landings, and travel on the island. A RAM permit is required for vehicles. Several firms provide four-wheel drive vehicles for rent. Tour buses travel the island as well. The Fraser Island Great Walk offers an opportunity to explore the island on foot.

Central Station is a popular tourism destination on the island. Some of the rarest ferns grow along the rainforest near the station. With year-round south-easterly wind, huge sand dunes on the island move at the rate of 1 – 2 meters a year and grow to a height of 244 meters. Sand is constantly washed ashore from as far as New South Wales

Here is another photo of Fraser Island :