Where Is K'gari (Fraser Island)?
K'gari (Fraser Island) is located off the southeast coast of Queensland, Australia. It's a popular travel destination in Australia for backpackers, 4WD-enthusiasts, adventure-seekers, and nature lovers. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the Great Sandy National Park, and the world's largest sand island, K'gari is a very special place that is protected and therefore very wild. Travellers come here to connect with nature and see some truly mind blowing natural landscapes.
Where Is K'gari (Fraser Island)?
K'gari (Fraser Island) is situated in the Pacific Ocean off the southeast Coast of Queensland, Australia. The island itself is around 122km long, making it the largest sand island in the world. Separated from the mainland by the Great Sandy Strait, some parts of the island are only about 1km offshore while others are a bit further. It's a massive island!
K'gari is conveniently situated just north of popular Queensland destinations like the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, and Rainbow Beach. As you travel along the East Coast of Australia, you can easily stop over to K'gari (Fraser Island) before or after your Sunshine Coast adventures!
A map of Fraser Island, Australia.
Where is the Fraser Coast?
The Fraser Coast refers to a small region of Queensland, encompassing K'gari as well as several suburbs on the mainland. Hervey Bay, Urangan, and Maryborough are notable towns on the Fraser Coast mainland. These charming small towns showcase an authentic Australian lifestyle, while the island of K'gari showcases Heritage-listed wilderness and ecosystems.
The Fraser Coast is also known for its incredible whale watching, and the waters around Hervey Bay are some of the best for whale watching in Australia. Book a whale watching tour between July and October for the best chances of seeing some majestic humpbacks off the Fraser Coast!
Reaching K'gari from the Mainland
You can get to K'gari (Fraser Island) by ferry from the mainland or by plane. The ferry is the most popular way to reach K'gari, as it's affordable and departures are constant. If you book a guided tour to K'gari, your ferry tickets and national park permits will be included. If you're going to K'gari with your own 4WD or a hire 4WD, make sure you organise ferry tickets and vehicle permits on your own.
Explore K'gari with a tour or 4WD hire!
Getting to K'gari from Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is a popular departure point for a trip to K'gari. You can get the River Heads Ferry, which has multiple departures every day. The ferry ride is around 30 minutes, with lovely views of the Great Sandy Strait and the western side of the island.
There are two ferries departing from River Heads. The first is the Kingfisher Bay Resort ferry, which brings you to the jetty right outside the resort. The second is the Wanggoolba Creek Ferry, which brings you a bit further south. Unless you're staying at Kingfisher Bay Resort, you'll likey take the Wanggoolba Creek Ferry as it drops you off closer to K'gari attractions like Lake McKenzie and Central Station.
Read our full guide to the River Heads Ferry for more info!
Getting to K'gari from Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is the other top departure point to K'gari from the mainland. This gorgeous little coastal town is a haven for 4WD enthusiasts, as you can drive to epic places like the Rainbow Beach Coloured Sands or Double Island Point.
To reach K'gari from Rainbow Beach, you can catch the Inskip Point Ferry. This ride is only 10 minutes, and the ferry drops you right at Hook Point on the southern tip of K'gari. From here, you can start driving along the famous 75 Mile Beach on the east coast of the island.
Read our full guide to the Inskip Point Ferry for more info!
What is so special about K'gari (Fraser Island)?
K'gari (Fraser Island) is special because of its unique natural ecosystem that combines perched dune lakes, wild dingos, rainforests growing in sand, ancient dunes, and so much more. The island is such a significant part of the Queensland coast, and it even helped form the Great Barrier Reef!
The landscapes are ancient, and as a protected national park that is highly regulated, the island has remained very well preserved. Majestic forests grow out of the sand due to a delicate relationship with the fungi on the forest floor. Dingos run wild and free without interbreeding with dogs on the mainland. Perched lakes form over time in the sand, each with their own natural filtration system. Not only is K'gari beautiful, but it's a testament to the power and ever-changing patterns of the natural world.
Read more in our list of 10 fun facts about K'gari!
