Discovery guide

Fraser Island (K’Gari) World Heritage Area and Recreation Area Great Sandy National Park Welcome to (K’Gari) K’gari is the traditional land of the Butchulla people.

K’gari is my favourite place of all! As a Ranger I love Discover the island educating people about my country. What’s good for Relax into island time and experience a getaway adventure our country comes first—even before family, because on a sand island paradise. Fraser Island (K’gari), the world’s Breathe with no country there is no place for the family. largest sand island, has something for almost everyone. K’gari to me is Mother Earth and is home. Discover exquisite views, treks over snow-white sandblows, Respect her and she will respect us. and forest drives. Enjoy springtime wildflowers, lakes, beaches and wildlife. With so much to see and do you’ll want refreshingly Naa yin bunna See you later. to come back again and again. Ranger Conway

(Top banner) Traditional Butchulla welcome dance, performed as part of the Conway Burns, Fraser Island Ranger and Butchulla man. determination Photo: Darren Blake © Qld Govt celebration for Butchulla native title; (left) Fraser Why World Heritage? Island—sweeping landscapes and a World Heritage areas protect the best beach that goes examples of natural and cultural heritage on on forever. Earth. Fraser Island’s outstanding natural features include: Photos: (top banner) Image courtesy of • long uninterrupted sweeps of ocean beach and strikingly South Native Title Services coloured sand cliffs (QSNTS); (left) • continually evolving complex coastal dune formations © Tourism and Events Queensland • unusual and diverse plants and animals. Getting there Venture safely Stay safe! and around Make your visit to Fraser Island memorable for all the right • Never dive or jump into Lake Wabby or other lakes and reasons. creeks—they are often more shallow than they look and You’ll need a 4WD with high-clearance and low-range Let dingoes live wild have hidden obstacles. Spinal injuries have resulted from capacity to drive on the island. Not keen to take the wheel? these actions. Dingoes are protected by law on Sit back and enjoy a guided tour by vehicle, boat or plane. • Do not run, slide or roll down sand dunes. They are steep Fraser Island (K’gari) and are Choose from plenty of day and overnight tours all offering and unstable. Spinal injuries have resulted from these significant to Butchulla people. glimpses of the island’s countless attractions. actions. You might see these wild predatory • Do not swim in the ocean; rips and sharks are common Bookings essential for River Heads barges (ph: 1800 227 437) animals any time of day or night. and it’s not patrolled. and plane flights (ph: 07 4125 3600) from . No Follow these simple rules to stay • Take extra care at Champagne Pools. Serious injuries have bookings required for the Inskip barges (near Rainbow safe around dingoes. Photo: Robert Ashdown happened here. Beach), which operate 6am to 5.30pm (busy periods have Be dingo-safe! • Where campfires are permitted, put your campfire out extended hours and are published on their website). Ph: ü NEVER feed dingoes. with water, not sand. Children have suffered terrible burns 0418 872 599. ü Always stay within arm’s reach of walking over fires covered with sand. Be a World Heritage hero children, even small teenagers. • Beach driving is best 2hrs either side of low tide. ü Walk in groups. • Avoid night driving—obstacles and wash-outs are very Thanks for caring enough to prevent weeds and pests ü Do not run or jog. difficult to see especially when sea mists blow onshore. damaging this beautiful island. Before you visit: ü Camp in fenced areas where possible. • Do not take trailers on inland roads in dry conditions. • wash your car tyres and walking shoe soles ü Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat). Bogged vehicles can hold up traffic for hours. Be self • sweep or vacuum camping equipment and car interiors ü Never store food or food containers in tents. sufficient with vehicle recovery gear. QPWS Rangers, • bring no pets, soil or plant materials to the island. ü Secure all rubbish, fish and bait. if nearby, can offer some assistance, they cannot pull you free. Report dingo interactions: • Tune into local radio stations for weather updates. Bush walks galore! • email: [email protected] • Best walking conditions are in the cooler months from If you love bushwalking, you’ll love Fraser! There’s a walking • ph: (07) 4127 9150. May to September and in the cooler parts of the day, experience for everyone’s capabilities, even a 90km, Look up and look out especially over sandblows. 6–8 day, adventure walk—Fraser Island Great Walk Fraser’s eastern beach is Queensland’s sandiest national • For the longer walks, let someone know where you’re —with secluded walkers’ camp sites along the way. highway. Some parts are also a landing strip for authorised going, when you plan to return and what to do if you fail Walk around freshwater lakes and under arching small planes. Give way to planes landing or taking off. to return. canopies of lush rainforest and feel the warmth of Aircraft landing zones are clearly marked with cones and • In case of bushfires, stay away from thick bushland, and the subtropical sun on a beach that goes on forever. signs and ground crew will direct you if required. stay low to the ground where the air is coolest.

Great Walk planning information and maps: Walkers on the beach cannot hear cars approaching over npsr.qld.gov.au/experiences/great-walks the sound of wind and waves. People, especially children, can move unexpectedly. Drivers, please remember that Permits Book your vehicle and camping permits online before your ‘slower is safer’ and all Queensland road rules apply. visit to avoid disappointment at qld.gov.au/camping Rangers’ picks There are more than 30 walks on Fraser Island you and your friends can enjoy. Here are some of the best. Best walks at a glance Walking track classification

Pile Valley To From Class Distance & time Formed track. May have gentle hills and some steps. 4km circuit. Class 4. Allow 2hrs from Central Station Clearly signposted. No experience required. Best boardwalks Class 2 Breathe ‘fresh air’ as you walk through rainforest and Eli Creek Eastern beach, 400m return Formed track, some obstacles, 20km or less. May have 2 along crystal-clear Wanggoolba Creek silently flowing past boardwalk Eli Creek Allow 30mins short steep hills and many steps. Some experience Class 3 recommended. Wanggoolba Central Station 700m circuit rainforest giants. 2 Creek boardwalk day-use area Allow 30mins Rough track. May be long and very steep with few Champagne Pools 700m return Kirrar Sandblow Middle Rocks 3 Class 4 directional signs. For experienced bushwalkers. boardwalk Allow 30mins 1.9km return. Class 3. Allow 1hr from eastern beach See striking ‘sandscapes’ at Rainbow Gorge, where layers of Best circuit Wun’gul 5.5km ochre reds, yellows and browns swirl into the sand profiles Dundubara 4 Sandblow circuit Allow 2.5hrs creating earthy-coloured artpieces. The gorge opens up to Kirrar Sandblow, an awesome, lunar-like landscape. Best lookouts Lake Wabby Lake Wabby lookout car park, 900m return Lake Allom 3 lookout along Central Allow 30mins 1.4km circuit. Class 2. Allow 1hr from Lake Allom Lakes scenic drive day-use area (off Northern Forest scenic drive) Small car park Knifeblade on Woralie Road, 1km return An easy stroll with picture-perfect water reflections 3 lookout part of Northern Allow 45mins mirroring the towering brushbox and satinay trees. On warm Lakes scenic drive (Above) The stunning Fraser Island Great Walk meanders 90km from days the air is scented with the spicy fragrance emitted by Dundonga Kingfisher 3km return 3 Dilli Village to Happy Valley; (below) the leaves of the carrol shrubs that grow close to shore. Creek walk Bay Resort Allow 1.5hrs Eli Creek boardwalk; (right) Wallum banksia (Banksia aemula) growing on Best lake walks coastal sand dune heath plain. Central Station 5.6km return Photos: (above) © Ben Blanche; Basin Lake 4 day-use area Allow 3hrs (below and background) © Lise Pedersen; (right) Adam Creed © Qld Govt Lake Allom 1.4km circuit Lake Allom 2 car park Allow 1hr

Best long walks Kingfisher Bay 23.2km circuit Lake McKenzie 4 Resort Allow 9hrs

90km one way Fraser Island Dilli Village or Allow 6–8 days 4 (Right) Pile Valley circuit; (far right) Be still Great Walk Happy Valley 8 walkers’ camps and, like magic, Kreffts river turtles pop out along the way of the tea-coloured waters as they swim past the Lake Allom viewing platform. Find out more ways to explore on foot—visit Photos: (above) © Lise Pedersen; npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/walking-tracks (right) Jenna Tapply © Qld Govt Sandy Cape

Fraser Island (K'gari) Great Sandy World Heritage Area Marine Park Recreation Area Choose your camp site Large groups and schools Great Sandy National Park Camping with your friends is lots of fun. Four group With 45 camping areas across the island you are bound to Moon Point Dundubara camping areas—Dundubara, Waddy Point (top), Central find some to suit your style. Hervey Station and Cornwells—cater for 20–40 people. Bay River Beach camping Heads Central Station Family-friendly camping Eurong Unfenced beach camping areas are located behind the Maryborough Choose a camping area with a dingo deterrent fence. foredunes at specific sites along the eastern beach. Use the South Pacific Ocean Highly recommended if you have children 14 years and under. Hook Point access tracks. Don’t drive on the dunes—the vegetation is Inskip Point Rainbow Beach quickly damaged but slow to recover. This is camping in the Campfires Highway Bruce Freshwater rough, so bring everything you need, including a portable Enjoy a campfire? Use communal fire rings at Dundubara and Cooloola toilet to make your stay more comfortable. Portable toilet Recreation Area Waddy Point camping areas, when no fire prohibitions are waste disposal facilities are marked on the map. Gympie Elanda Point in place. Only untreated milled timber (or mill off-cuts) can Tewantin Noosa Heads Scale Get away from the crowds and camp on the western beach. be used. Supervise children around the fire and put it out To Maroochydore 0 50km Boaties love these camp sites and so do mosquitoes and completely with water not sand, when you leave your camp midges. Camping here is best in the cooler, drier months site or retire for the night. Connect with of August–October, but always bring insect repellent. Campfires are not permitted anywhere else on Fraser Island Queensland National Parks Small generators—sound-rated at 65 decibels or about Recreation Area. Collecting bush wood and kindling is not queenslandnationalparks.com.au 2.0Kva—are permitted (9am–9pm) where indicated on allowed. Penalties apply. the map. Book at qld.gov.au/camping

facebook.com/qldnationalparks Most popular camping at a glance @QldParks ; #QldParks Waddy Point Waddy Point Lake Eastern beach Western beach Central Station Dundubara (top) (beachfront) Boomanjin zones camping areas For help planning your holiday, visit queensland.com Fenced camping Fenced camping, A fenced camping Unfenced Fenced camping, Unfenced Unfenced in rainforest. Full set back from the area set in coastal camping area (park and camping camping. or visitfrasercoast.com facilities. Separate beach in coastal woodland sites on a north-facing walk-in) set in behind Popular fishing Don’t forget to take a current Fraser Island Conditions group camping woodland. 9pm sheltered from beach, under open forest, foredunes. areas. Sheltered Report every time you visit. You can find it online at area. 9pm noise noise curfew. SE winds. 9pm she-oaks. overlooking No facilities. waters. See map npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser or pick up a copy from a curfew. Bring Bring gold coins noise curfew. Lake Boomanjin. Book by zone. before booking. QPWS information centre at Tewantin or Rainbow Beach. gold coins for for hot showers. Bring gold coins BYO toilet. BYO toilet. hot showers. for hot showers. All photos © Queensland Government unless otherwise stated. Front cover photo: Lake McKenzie © Tourism and Events Queensland 9am–9pm 9am–9pm ©State of Queensland. BP2070 June 2016. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing. Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources. Keep Sandy Cape Sandy Cape lighthouse Photo: Tourism and Events Qld Walk-in access only up to Sandy 7.5 Carree— Cape lighthouse precinct. zone 9 No access into lighthouse. discovering Caution: Beach may be impassable due to tides.

Diray— zone 9 Browns rocks

Rooney South Pacific Ocean

Point 30

By foot, 4WD, bus or tag-along tour, Fraser Island (K’gari) will enchant you. With coloured sands, rugged headlands and lakes galore, one visit is never enough! North Ngkala rocks Stay safe – ranger tips Platypus Bay South Ngkala rocks Orange Duling—zone 8 Creek Driving on all beaches is best around low tide on the harder sand Ocean Lake—zone 8 Fraser Island (K'gari) World RANGER FAVOURITES surface. Driving is easier on you, your passengers and your car. Ocean Marloo—zone 8 Heritage Area is managed Lake Ranger Jim under relevant legislations Orchid Beach as a recreation area and a I was awestruck when I first national park. 3 Waddy Point saw Lake Wabby. I stood at Lake If you see some of the island’s Teebing (Wathumba Spit) Wabby lookout and watched wild dingoes, let them roam free (boat Photo: Geltch Troy spellbound as the shadows access Middle Rocks and find their own food. We need only) Wathumba

5 of clouds danced across the to remember to give dingoes sandblow’s undulating dunes and Caution: Moon Point to Towoi space. K’gari is their place. To Indian Head Creek—soft, boggy sand; wo the sun glinted off the emerald i Cr Ranger Dan potentially dangerous. Zoned eek No parking on Indian B semi-remote, no facilities. o w Head bypass road. green waters of the lake. a l Bowal C r Ranger Kim ee k Corroboree Marine stingers such as 33 Beach Irukandji jellyfish and A Awinya Creek w Great Sandy other dangerous marine in y Marine Park life are present, especially during a Creek the summer months, in the Burad—zone 7 waters off Fraser Island, Hervey

Bay and the Great Sandy Strait. 19 Bowarrady Creek B Bring metal, or very hard plastic, food storage boxes ow a rr Wyuna—zone 7 ad with strong latches or flat straps. Fishers, you should y Caution: Crossing Coongul Woralie C r ee I love to freeze time use a bait bucket with a tight-fitting lid, so dingoes Creek is extremely dangerous. Creek k High risk of vehicles sinking. W o Wun’gul ra with my camera and l Sandblow can’t get into them while you’re watching your line. ie Red Canyon

C

r Lake e capture the action Ranger Jenna e k Bowarrady Dundubara

ek when waves foam and Coongul Creek re l C gu Coon Lake Allom fizz into Champagne Emergency! Moon Point Pools between half Call triple zero (000). Guruman— Caution: Beach may be (boat zone 6 impassable due to tides. and full tide. access k Vehicle recovery and assistance only) e re 10 C Ranger Emma On-island towing 0428 353 164 o o Yurru—zone 6 h t Cathedral Beach Fraser Island taxi (07) 4127 9188 and 0429 379 188 u

P Eugarie—zone 6 Moon Point (private) The Pinnacles

Warning: estuarine Wahba—zone 5 crocodiles have been (private) sighted in Great Sandy Maheno Wreck Strait. Be croc wise. Stay back My favourite? from the water’s edge. Maheno—zone 5 Hervey Bay Eli Creek—a great Urangan Eli Creek Caution: Approach with caution, cooling off place 11 may be impassable on higher tides. Lake Garawongera for families! Eli—zone 4 Ranger Jason

10.5 (walkers) Guluri—zone 4 Happy Valley 10.5 Great Sandy Strait Yidney U Rocks ra ng On days off I love to join C r (walkers) Kirrar Sandblow To Maryborough e Kingfisher Bay e my mates for a bit of fishing. 11 k 20 Winnam—zone 3 We throw our catch straight onto the barbecue and Lake McKenzie Poyungan—zone 3 Campfires are River prohibited on QPWS savour the fresh sea taste. Heads managed areas of Fraser (walkers) Poyungan Rocks Island, except in fire rings at Ranger Daniel Dundubara and Waddy Point. Wanggoolba Creek W Gabala—zone 2 barge landing site a ng Hammerstone Sandblow gool ba Cornwells Cr ee k —zone 2

Central Station Lake Wabby (walkers) One Tree Rocks—zone 2 (walkers) Lake Birrabeen Ungowa

Legend Lake Benaroon Fraser Island Recreation Area Wongai— Eurong Picnic table zone 1 part of Great Sandy National Park 9am– (walkers) Other lands Sheltered picnic table 9pm Caution: Beach may be Waterway Gas barbecue Lake Boomanjin 11 impassable due to tides. Inland sand track Dingo-deterrent fencing Walking track (walkers) Communal fire ring Govi—zone 1 No beach driving Short or easy walking track Photos: (top to bottom) Briony Masters Fraser Island Great Walk What diversity! Stingrays, sharks, © Qld Govt; © Qld Govt; © Lise Pedersen; topographic map needed * © Qld Govt; © Tourism and Events Qld Viewpoint Dilli Village South Pacific Ocean dolphins, and in spring, whales Vehicular barge route Lookout Beach camping area cruising around Hervey Bay. 5 Barge landing (private) Distance (kilometres) Garrys Ranger Sven Anchorage QPWS information Police station 18km beach access ramp Ranger station Ambulance (boat 9am– Dilli Village walk Wreck access 9pm Bush camping—walkers only) Dulara Scenic drives at a glance Warning: 4WD-based camping Lighthouse Midyim Drive times vary depending on track conditions and your driving ability. Do not swim in the Always allow extra time for stops and drive along the beach around low tide.

Dishwashing area (walkers) ocean; it is unpatrolled and Bush camping—boat access 14 Great Sandy Strait there are rips and sharks. Portable toilet waste Boat ramp disposal facility Drive Distance Features Extra hints Off-road camper trailers Generators permitted (or high clearance trailers) Central Lakes scenic drive 27.2km Through tall forest and open banksia Peak visitor numbers between 10am–3pm daily. Water—treat before drinking Private accomodation Start at Central Station and allow 3hrs woodland to eastern beach with a Consider car pooling with others in your group Shop, gas, ice Submerged vehicle risk 11km beach access ramp head north stop at Lake Wabby Lookout. to improve chances of getting a car park.

Restaurant Be croc wise Garulim Southern Lakes scenic drive 27.6km Through scribbly gums and banksia Not suitable for vehicles towing trailers or Hook Point allow 3hrs to lakes Birrabeen and Boomanjin. camper trailers. Fuel Marine stingers Inland Road Toilet No fires Lake Garawongera scenic drive 19km A remote rough drive through tall Experienced four-wheel drivers in high clearance allow 2hrs closed forest with a stop at tannin- 4WDs only. Toilet—wheelchair access No vehicle access stained Lake Garawongera. Coolooloi Good recovery and communication equipment Head to Poyungan Valley and back Waste transfer station No campervanning Creek essential. No mobile phone reception. Sections to the eastern beach. Hook Point may be overgrown or blocked by recent tree falls. Drinking water No swimming Inskip Point Telephone No parking Northern Forests scenic drive 42.4km Remote driving experience through Experienced four-wheel drivers in high clearance Bullock Point allow 4hrs Yidney Scrub’s huge brush box and 4WDs only. Generator use prohibited Shower boat ramp kauri trees. Short walk at Lake Allom Good recovery and communication equipment and great viewpoint at Knifeblade * Fraser Island Great Walk topographic map enquiries to npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser essential. No mobile phone reception. Sections Sandblow and finish near the ochre Scale may be overgrown or blocked by recent tree falls. 0 5 10 15 20km To Rainbow Beach red sandcliffs at The Pinnacles.