Central Station On K'gari (Fraser Island)
Central Station on K'gari (Fraser Island) is a beautiful and unique rainforest destination in Australia. Located right in the heart of the world's largest sand island, this towering section of rainforest has a fascinating ecosystem and history.
Whether you're on a day trip to K'gari (Fraser Island), a 2-day tour, or a 3-day tour, your local guide will most likely bring you to this stunning spot. And if you're on a self-drive tour of K'gari, make sure you fit Central Station into your itinerary! Here are all the fun facts you might want to know about Central Station, K'gari (Fraser Island).
About Central Station, K'gari (Fraser Island)
As one of the most visited locations on K'gari (Fraser Island), Central Station showcases a dense and magical rainforest complete with walking trails and a camping area. Here you can immerse yourself in the wondrous rainforests that grow out of the sand on K'gari.
The island's dense and towering forests are so incredible because they manage to flourish despite sand being a low-nutrient substance. Between the trees' ability to strip away trace minerals from the sand, and the relationship with the fungi on the forest floor, K'gari's rainforests are able to thrive.
Where is Central Station on K'gari (Fraser Island)?
Central Station is located in Pile Valley, a special section of rainforest in the middle of K'gari (Fraser Island). Because the spot is centrally located on the massive island of K'gari, it is very easy to reach on a guided tour or self-drive adventure. It's central location also makes it a popular stop on multi-day island treks of K'gari (Fraser Island). Central Station is also located near other highlights of K'gari, including Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby, and Lake Birrabeen.
Central Station Logging History
Though Central Station is part of the greater Pile Valley rainforest area, it is unique because of its history. Central Station itself used to be a community for loggers on K'gari (Fraser Island). Logging used to be very popular on K'gari, and the first timber was harvested in 1863. By the early 1900s, a large group of mainland Australians moved to K'gari (Fraser Island) to focus on logging.
Between the 1920s and the 1950s, Central Station became the main settlement for loggers and their families. There were up to 30 houses and even a school where residents could go about their daily lives. By the late 1900s, K'gari became listed as a World Heritage Site and national park, and logging officially stopped in 1991. The island is a natural wonder and logging is still prohibited today, but you can see the remnants of this little village when you visit Central Station.
How To Get To Central Station on K'gari (Fraser Island)
Central Station is very easy to access by car or on foot, due to its central location on K'gari (Fraser Island). The majority of guided K'gari tours will visit Central Station so you can stroll through the rainforest and admire K'gari's flora and fauna. Even day trips, which have less time on the island than overnight trips, can usually include a visit to Central Station because of its convenient location in the middle of K'gari.
Keep in mind, you can only visit K'gari (Fraser Island) with a 4WD! The sandy tracks are not suitable for normal cars. If you don't have a 4WD, you'll need to hire one or visit the island with a tour.
Visit Central Station on one of these tours!
Driving to Central Station
You can drive to Central Station from all the barge locations on the K'gari (Fraser Island).
From the River Heads Barge in Hervey Bay, you will either land at Kingfisher Bay or Wanggoolba Creek. From Kingfisher Bay, it's about a one-hour drive to Central Station. From Wanggoolba Creek, it's only a 40-minute drive to Central Station.
If you're coming to K'gari from the Inskip Point Barge in Rainbow Beach, you'll have to head to 75 Mile Beach and drive north along the sand until you reach K'gari Beach Resort. Then turn inland and drive to Central Station from there. This entire drive is about 1.5 hours.
Remember that K'gari (Fraser Island) is made up of all sand, so driving times may take longer here than on normal paved roads!
Hiking to Central Station
Another option for reaching Central Station is walking! Central Station is located along the K'gari Great Walk, which is a 90km trek through the wilderness of K'gari. The entire walk takes around 6-8 days and is the ultimate adventure. You may also pass Central Station on shorter, guided multiday walking tours of K'gari (Fraser Island), such as:
- 2D1N K'gari Wilderness Trail
- 2D1N Lake McKenzie Eco Walk
- 3D2N Great Southern Lakes Hike
- 3D2N Blue Lakes Eco Hike
- 3D2N Rainforest Eco Hike
Things To Do At Central Station, K'gari (Fraser Island)
Though Central Station is no longer used for logging, today it is a tourist attraction and campground. Strolling along the Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk is the most popular thing to do at Central Station. You can also learn about the area's rich history or enjoy a night surrounded by nature at the nearby campground.
Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk
Walking the beautiful Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk is a must-do if you're visiting Central Station on K'gari (Fraser Island). The trail is also sometimes referred to as the Central Station Walk because it starts and ends at Central Station.
The walk is an easy, 700-metre circuit that is suitable for travellers of all ages and fitness levels. Most of the trail is on a well-maintained wooden boardwalk that winds through the forest. There are some scenic bridges over Wanggoolba Creek and railings in place, and you get fantastic views of the rainforest the entire way.
Camping at Central Station
Central Station Camping Area is one of the most popular campsites on K'gari (Fraser Island). You can spend the night immersed in the enchanting rainforest, which is an opportunity not to be missed.
Though K'gari (Fraser Island) is home to some incredible resorts, camping is an excellent way to experience the beauty of this World Heritage-listed island. Listen to the call of native birds, watch the towering trees sway in the breeze, and be on the lookout for wild dingos!
What are the amenities at Central Station on K'gari (Fraser Island)?
Central Station Camping Area is one of the better-equipped wilderness campsites on K'gari (Fraser Island).
Facilities at the Central Station Camping Area include:
- Tent camping spaces
- Flush toilets
- Picnic tables
- Hot showers (coin-operated)
- Pay phone
The camping area is just 800m away from the Central Station day-use area. Central Station campsite also has a dingo fence, but it's still a good idea to keep small children under a watchful eye and keep all food stowed away so you don't attract dingos, goannas, or other wildlife.
Even if you don't want to camp, you can enjoy the tranquillity of the Central Station campsite by having a picnic lunch there if you wish. It's a lovely place to hang out if you have free time on your exploration of K'gari (Fraser Island)! If you are camping, don't forget to book in advance.
History at Central Station
Those interested in learning more about the history of Central Station on K'gari can read the informational signs at the day-use area. Just a short walk from where you part, you can see the old wooden structures and huts that used to belong to the local logging community. Scattered around the space are also several informational signs. Check these out to read about the recent logging history of Central Station, as well as the Indigenous history of the local Butchella people.
