The world’s largest sand island is listed as a World-Heritage site because of its ‘exceptional beauty’, and it’s right on mainland Australia’s doorstep.
Formerly known as Fraser Island, K’Gari’s new official name – the traditional one chosen by the local Butchulla people, which means ‘paradise’ in English – is much more fitting.
K’Gari is full of natural wonders – from its expansive glowing white beaches beside coloured sand cliffs to its majestic tall rainforests and more than 100 incredibly clear freshwater lakes and streams.
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Its famous Eli Creek, which pumps around four million litres of freshwater into the sea every hour, has been ranked as having the fourth most crystal clear water in Oceania.
But the ‘crown jewel’ of the 122km-long island is Lake McKenzie, or Boorangoora, as the locals call it. It sits about 100m above sea level and is almost purely rainwater.
A swim at this lake is not only beautiful – but actually good for you. The water’s minerals and high acidity make it beneficial for cleansing skin and hair and cleaning jewellery, while the oils from the tea tree foliage that falls into the lake help give it its blue colours and ‘healing properties’ known to help with aches and pains.
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The sand at Lake McKenzie is also 98 per cent silica, meaning it is exceptionally soft, silky and white and famous for its exfoliating qualities.
There’s no shortage of beauty to discover on K’Gari, which is located just 1km offshore from Hervey Bay in Queensland’s Wide Bay–Burnett region and about 200 kilometres north of Brisbane.
Here are the best ways to explore it.
The best ways to experience K’Gari
By helicopter
I properly laid eyes on K’Gari for the first time from a helicopter, which was a breathtaking experience.
I flew over the Great Sandy Straits from Hervey Bay with Great Ocean Helicopters early in the morning. It was stunning to see the glassy blue sea turn to bright white sand and then dense rainforests.
An aerial view is the best way to see Lake McKenzie’s striking colours and to get a sense of just how undeveloped the island is.
The passengers on the flight that went after mine were also lucky enough to spot some whales in the ocean.
By boat
Touring by boat is a relaxing way to see K’Gari, particularly its stunning beaches and cliffs. Being able to pull up on any beach also enables visitors to see remote parts of the island that aren’t accessible by car.
I went on the Tasman Remote K’gari Tour to see the island’s ‘hidden parts’. We were chartered from the large catamaran to shore by a new Sealegs boat that drives up onto the beach so you don’t have to get into the water to disembark.
We wandered back from the beach and went kayaking on a freshwater creek to a beautiful area you can’t get to by foot or car. The campers staying next to the entrance to the creek were intrigued to find out what we had seen.
It was so peaceful paddling through such an untouched part of the world.
Next on offer on the tour was snorkelling.
It’s worth noting that it’s not recommended to enter the ocean on K’Gari any deeper than ankle level as the surf is usually quite dangerous. However, the beach is great for fishing, and creeks and lakes are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
By 4WD bus
A bus tour is the easiest way to get around the 15km-wide island once you’re on the ground, as all the tracks are sandy and hilly and only suitable for 4WDs.
A day with K’gari Explorer Tours on a 4WD bus took us to the best of the island’s hotspots while the driver taught us plenty of interesting facts about K’Gari and its history.
We visited the historic Maheno Shipwreck, which has remarkably been wedged on 75 Mile Beach since 1935, went on an educational walking tour of the rainforest, and dipped in Eli Creek and Lake McKenzie.
It was amazing to glide along 75 Mile Beach at up to 80km/h in parts – which is officially a national highway and a landing strip for light aircraft – and to look out and spot whales breaching in the water.
Our driver also pulled up alongside a dingo pup having a snooze on the beach so that we could get an up-close look at the fascinating animal from the safety of the bus.
Accommodation on K’Gari
There are two hotels on the island.
Kingfisher Bay Resort
Kingfisher Bay Resort is the premier four-star eco accommodation. It’s where Harry and Meghan stayed on the island in 2015.
It’s located on the west coast, at the closest access point from Hervey Bay. The barge from K’Gari to Hervey Bay leaves just from its doorstep and takes about 45 minutes.
The accommodation is set slightly back from the beach, nestled among natural wetlands that have been enhanced to naturally reduce the number of mosquitos.
Guests can relax to the beautiful chorus of birds in daylight hours on their balconies and are greeted by frogs on the paths after dark.
From September 30, the resort will also offer an immersive sound and light installation by famous international light artist Bruce Ramus, similar to his famous show that is seen at Uluru.
The show, in which lights and fog will be projected over a wetland area, will celebrate the island and its paradisiacal qualities, which Canadian-born Ramus fell in love with as a young backpacker.
K’gari Beach Resort
On the east side of the island is K’Gari Beach Resort.
It’s not as glamorous as Kingfisher, but it has the prime position for quick access to 75 Mile Beach and is only a short drive from Eli Creek.
It offers a range of rooms and villas, some of which have recently been upgraded to achieve a four-star rating, and has a large dining area with buffet meals.
Camping
There’s also a range of camping options on K’Gari.
While it would be beautiful to sleep fully immersed in paradise – and many people do – campers beware that it is up to you to protect yourself from dingoes. The resorts are both surrounded by dingo-proof fences so guests can relax within their bounds.
The writer was a guest of Fraser Coast Tourism and Events and Jetstar.