Dingo Safety On K'gari | Dingo Seasonal Calendar
Dingo safety on K'gari (Fraser Island) is incredibly important for travellers of all ages! Most trips to K'gari involve outdoor wilderness exploration, including hiking, camping, swimming, and 4WD beach driving. There is a healthy wild dingo population on the island, so it's essential to know how to react safely if you do see a dingo on the island. Here is our guide to staying dingo-safe on K'gari!
A Bit About K'gari & Dingoes
K'gari (Fraser Island) is a magical island located off the east coast of Australia in Queensland. K'gari is well known for its wild dingo population, and while these animals are beautiful to behold, there are different seasons that bring different behaviours with these pack predators. Find out which seasons bring different behaviours of these animals before you visit K'gari, so you can prepare for a safe and fun holiday!
Arguably one of the most action-packed natural experiences you can have in Australia, K'gari has 4 wheel driving on the longest beach highway in the world, hundreds of freshwater lakes, and stunning vantage points available to enjoy the natural wonder of this incredible country. One of the most unique experiences is witnessing the purest breed of dingo in the world... in the wild!
History of K'gari Dingoes
Also referred to as wongari by the Butchulla people, the indigenous people of K'gari, dingoes have long been a part of the ecosystem and culture on the island. There were actually two types of dingo: wongari, the "wild dingo," and wat'dha, the "camp dingo." The Butchulla had tamed camp dingoes to the point where they could help them hunt and they also believed they protected against evil spirits.
Now, all the remaining dingoes are wild. They are opportunistic hunters and scavengers and live on a diet of rodents, reptiles, insects, echidnas, and the remains of marine life washed up on shore for example. It is because of their hunting style and diet that it is extremely important to never leave fish scraps behind when fishing, or food of any kind out.
National Parks on K'gari
Dingoes on K'gari are a protected species and have inhabited the island for an estimated 5,000 years or more. There are an estimated 250 wild dingoes on the island, however, different studies have shown that number could be larger. National parks and wildlife have been documenting, tagging, and observing their behaviour for decades in the hope of protecting these wild animals as well as visitors to the island.
There is even a hashtag visitors can use to help national parks with documenting these creatures, at #fraserdingowatch to better aid with keeping both the dingoes and visitors safe! Like any wild animal, its always recommended you exercise caution when you encounter dingoes in the wild.
There is plenty of signage around the island posted by national parks detailing how to remain "dingo safe," and there are many places such as resorts that have electric dingo fences for additional protection. If you are unsure if you'll be staying in a dingo-fenced area overnight on your tour, check with our knowledgeable staff before booking your tour. We highly recommend if you are staying overnight with children or small teenagers that you book to stay in a dingo-fenced property or camp.
How to stay safe around dingoes on K’gari
You can stay safe around dingoes on K'gari (Fraser Island) by keeping your distance! Though dingoes are beautiful creatures, they are wild and you should always admire them from afar to stay safe. You can also stay at dingo-safe campsites, lock up your food, and be extra vigilant around young children.
Here is a rundown of the top ways to stay safe around dingoes on K'gari:
- Always stay close to children, even smaller teenagers, and never leave children unattended.
- Never feed dingoes - there are hefty fines for this high-risk act.
- Lock up your food in your car or hotel room at night (not in your tent!) and keep food containers firmly strapped down, burying or disposing properly of anything food-scented.
- If fishing, don't leave bait, catch or any remains behind, and always bury your scraps at least 50cm underground just below the high tide mark.
- Never walk alone, (especially at night) and always stay with your group.
- Do not run if you see a dingo, or just in general, as it can trigger chase instincts in the wongari.
- Dingoes are not easily spotted, so if you are outside a dingo-safe fence, always assume they are around.
- Always give dingoes plenty of space, and never try to approach them or call them over for a photo. Photographing dingoes is safest from your vehicle.
Dingo Seasonal Calendar On K'gari (Fraser Island)
Brush up on your knowledge of K'gari's dingo population by learning about their seasonal calendar. Much like their cousin the wolf, dingoes are pack animals that require plenty of space and depending on the season, may exhibit different behaviours you should be aware of to have a safe experience with them on the island. Below is an indication of which behaviour you may encounter according to the time of year you visit.
March - May (Autumn)
Mating season on K'gari usually occurs during these months. There can be an increase in aggressive behaviour as males test their dominance, fight for female's affection, and culling members of the pack. Females will also be looking for dens to have their pups, so this is the time of year to exercise caution and keep plenty of distance if you spot any.
June - August (Winter)
Now the female dingo pups will be born, she will be out hunting for food with the male keeping up pup watch. If you see baby dingo pups steer clear, as parents and packs can be very aggressive towards any perceived threats to the little ones.
September - November (Spring)
Pups will start venturing out further away from the pack to explore and learn to hunt. Sometimes they are left in a safe place while the rest of the pack hunts on their own, so if you come across some young pups alone, please note they have not been abandoned, and do not try to interfere-Mum and Dad won't be far away!
December - February (Summer)
Now the pups can hunt and gather food, they will be practising other pack behaviours. Dingoes have a very intricate pack order, and by now the young dingoes will have learned the rules and hierarchy of theirs. You will see them practice fighting with their brothers and sisters. Engaging with them at all is never wise, as their "language" is incredibly difficult to decipher, and you can easily misread their body language.
Enjoy a dingo-safe holiday on K'gari
There are so many ways you can see K'gari, and if you have any concerns at all about dingo safety, you can tell us at the time of booking and we will help you select a tour or 4WD company or tour that can assist and alleviate any stress from the process for you. After all, if we give these animals the respect and space they need, there is no reason you can't have a truly incredible encounter with Australia's apex predator safely in the wild!
Spot Dingoes In The Wild With Our Favourite K'gari Adventures!
