Non Touristy Things To Do On K'gari (Fraser Island)
K’gari (Fraser Island) is best known for its golden dunes, luscious rainforests, vastly long beaches, and natural lakes. Year-round, thousands of visitors both locally and internationally explore and experience the many tourist attractions across the island.
If you’re lucky enough to have already visited K’gari, it’s likely you have ticked off the main attractions (swimming in Lake McKenzie, bogging your 4WD in 75 Mile Beach’s sand, and checking out the historic Maheno Shipwreck, and more).
That means that during your next trip to K’gari, you’re probably looking to escape the crowds and find the less popular experiences on the island. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our carefully curated list of top things to do on K’gari (Fraser Island) to escape the tourists!
Non Touristy Things To Do On K'gari (Fraser Island)
Fishing on K’gari (Fraser Island)
On the top of every fishing fanatics' list is Sandy Cape, located on the northernmost tip of K’gari (Fraser Island). Although the location is non-touristy, you can only access the cape via 4WD. During your journey to this idyllic location, keep an eye out for live bait such as worms, pipis, or perhaps a yabbie or two - plus it’s a fun way to keep the kids occupied!
If you are unable to reach the Sandy Cape, there are plenty of secluded spots to cast a line across the K'gari coastlines. Popular fish you could catch on the island include whiting, bream, mackerel, trevally, tuna, flathead, and swallowtail. With plenty of ocean surrounding K’gari, there’s an abundance of fish to catch and marine life to see. Be sure to look out for dolphins and stingrays that are regularly spotted in the area!
The K'gari Great Walk
Did you know that from River Heads in Hervey Bay you can catch the Fraser Venture Barge to Kingfisher Bay without the need for a car?! The journey takes you to the west coast of the island in only 50 minutes. Walk-on passengers have the opportunity to hike the island and take on “The Great Walk”. This trek runs the length of 90km across K’gari and is a unique and eco-friendly way to experience the World Heritage Listed location.
This is a remote walk in a remote location, so if you are up for the challenge, ensure you are prepared to be self-sufficient. This walk is great (pun intended) not only in distance, but it has spectacular views that can only be seen on foot. One thing is for sure, this hike is not for the regular tourist and requires stamina, preparation, and a fascination for local wildlife and scenery.
Watersports on K'gari (Fraser Island)
K'gari is surrounded by turquoise oceans and is filled with enchanting lakes you just can’t resist immersing yourself in. If you’re looking for unique and fun experiences on K’gari, get involved in some watersports! Kayaking, jet skiing, or even stand-up paddleboarding are just a few of the activities you can do.
On the barge over, you’ll also see plenty of cars with kayaks and paddle boards strapped to their roofs, or jet skis on trailers. But don’t be sad if you don’t own watersports equipment; paddle boards, and kayaks are available for hire from the nearby town of Hervey Bay. You can also hire by the hour at Kingfisher Bay Resort on the island, meaning you don’t have to compromise on valuable car space.
Catch a Sunset
Sunsets on K’gari are a marvel not to be missed! As the sun sets in the west, K’gari is one of the few destinations on the east coast where you can actually catch a spectacular sunset over the ocean. The west coast of the island is the more popular destination for chasing the sunset.
However, if you’ve got a capable 4WD, head up to Sandy Cape to escape the crowds. You’ll not only experience a romantic sunset, but also incredible sunrises over the ocean if you’re willing to stay the night! Don’t forget that the best time to cast a line is at sunrise and sunset, when the weather is cooler, and the fish are more active so don’t miss out on an opportunity to enjoy a spectacular sunset catch.
Birdwatching on K'gari (Fraser Island)
Bird enthusiasts everywhere should keep their eyes on the skies when on K’gari. The island not only attracts native Australian birds but also migratory birds. Some of the most common birds seen on the island are pelicans, seagulls, sea eagles, Azure Kingfishers, Crested Terns and Brahminy Kites.
If you’re lucky enough you might spot some of K’gari’s rare birds, like the Red Goshawk and Great Crested Grebe. With over 250 species of birds that inhabit the island, you’ll be in a birdwatchers paradise, both inland and on the coastline.
Stay Overnight and Stargaze on K’gari (Fraser Island)
The majority of tourists visit K’gari (Fraser Island) on adventure-filled day tours. However, for those with more time to spare who would like to experience the island at a slower pace, we recommend staying or camping overnight!
One of the main advantages of staying overnight on the island is that you’ll see an incredible array of stars. With no light pollution, you might be lucky enough to catch sight of the Milky Way! For superb stargazing sights, visit K’gari during a new moon, leaving little to no light pollution from the moon.
