Pile Valley on K'gari (Fraser Island)
Pile Valley is home to the beautiful ancient rainforest that surrounds Central Station at the historic heart of K'gari (Fraser Island). Once the host of a logging camp, Pile Valley is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site and nature lovers and photographers travel from all over to see the soaring satinay trees, giant king ferns, kauri pines and other rare flora and fauna.
The rainforest of Pile Valley is a particularly rare natural phenomena - it is the only place in the world where rainforests can grow from the sand at 200 metres above sea level. This diverse ecosystem has flourished in Pile Valley for thousands of years despite growing on top of sand dunes that lack the mineral fertility usually needed to sustain such life.
Satinay Forests in Pile Valley
K'gari (Fraser Island)’s iconic satinay trees are a truly spectacular sight and a huge drawcard to the area. Some are well over 1000 years old and create a rainforest canopy that reaches over 50 metres high.
A diverse range of native wildlife calls Pile Valley home and dingoes can often be spotted scavenging on the forest floor while tranquil bird calls echo from above. If you’re quiet, you may even spot a Turquoise Parrot, a Plumed Frogmouth, Red Goshawks or some Glossy Black Cockatoos.
Bushwalks through the undergrowth are one of the most popular things to do in Pile Valley and the Pile Valley Circuit is well worth exploring. The Pile Valley Circuit is 100m along the Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalk from Central Station and the 4km 2-hour return journey winds through the sun-dappled rainforest where majestic satinays dwarf walkers from above before returning through the hoop pine plantation.
