Top ten facts about Fraser Island, Australia

Fraser Island is the largest Sand Island in the world, and is the only place where rain forests grow on sand dunes, and plant life is abundant. This is due to the natural occuring fungi present in the sand, which released nutrients in a form that can be absorbed by the plant life.

All hills on the island were formed by "sand blowing" - dunes that are moved across the island by the wind, and are devoid of vegetation. As the island has year-round south-easterly winds the sand dunes on the island move at a rate of 1 to 2 meters per year, and grow to heights of 787 feet.

The colored sands on Fraser island are known as the Pinnacles - multicolored cliffs of red, yellow, brown, and orange sands, they are the oldest dune system recorded in the world and date back 700,000 years.

Fraser Island is located on the southern coast of Queensland and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1992. The island is strictly a 4-wheel-drive territory, where there are hundreds of sand tracks linking lakes, rainforests, and other natural attractions. Access to the island is by ferry from Hervey Bay, or for those who prefer - charter flights.

75-mile beach runs along the east coast of Fraser Island, and is used as a landing strip for planes. It is also used as a highway for vehicles, who are required to give the right-of-way to the planes. Along the beach are champagne pools - waves crashing over the rocks into shallow sandy pools - the foaming water gives the name to the pools; Indian Head a coastal headland that marks the most easterly point of the island - it was named by Captain Cook in 1770, when he saw a gathering of aborigines, as he rounded the headland; and the Maheno wreck, a luxury passenger ship bult in Scotland in 1905 - it was taken to Australia and at the time it was wrecked, during a cyclone and drifted ashore, it was on it's way to Japan.

Fraser Island has over 100 freshwater lakes which are among the cleanest lakes in the world. There are also 40 perched lakes - that sit on top of compact sand and vegetable matter. The sand in the lakes, such as Lake Maxkenzie is almost pure silica, and the high acidity levels,prevent many species from living in them. The largest of these lakes is Lake Boemingen, which it is believed to be the largest perched lake in the world.

Another type of lake found on Fraser Island, are window lakes, these are formed when the water level rises higher than the surrounding land. Motor boats and water skiing are banned from the lakes on Fraser Island.

The rare and spectacular nature to be seen on Fraser island, includes - the Wetlands with "rare patterned ferns", mangrove colonies, sea-grass beds, and up to 40,000 migratory shore birds. Lake Allom a small scenic lake is home to freshwater Turtles; and the low wallum heaths provide beautiful displays of wildflowers in the spring and summer.

The island is also home to the "rare ground parrot", pre-historic lizards that can climb trees; the acid frog a rare species found in the swamps; small-eared mountain possum; and flying foxes.

One of the most unusual sights are the Brumbies - wild horses that are descended from Arab horses. They were brought to the island, by the army, who bred them with the Clydesdales which were used in the logging industry.

Another are the soldier crabs, that burrow into the sand, but can also be seen in the thousands, marching across the sands.

It is possible to find the best of accommodations and places to dine on this sand island. The Kingfisher Bay Resort on the island have designed their rooms, villas and houses to minimize any effect on the natural environment, they are nestled in the treetops, in the islands landscape, and set high in the bush, without infringing on the wildlife.

The restaurants serve regional produce and fresh local seafood, while the Village center has many stores for shopping. This might be a sand island, but it offers all the creature comforts.

There is lots of things to do on the island, from 4WD Expeditions, to night walks, fishing, bonfire nights, massage and body treatments, and tennis - to mention only a few. There are motor-driven equipment available for rent, but visitors can enjoy the canoes,catamarans, and snorkeling gear.

The walking tracks on Fraser Island run from "Happy Valley" on the eastern side of the island to "Dill Village" on the south side. The tracks can be walked in portions for a day, or done on a 8 day walk, however as there are no provisions along the tracks, one must carry everything they will need with them. There are camp sites along the tracks but they have no toilet facilities or drinking water, reservations must be made in advance, and a camping permit must be issued, to be able to camp

Whale watching is another activity, from June to October the "humpback whales" migrate to the warm waters of north Queensland, where a fleet of vessels depart daily from Fraser Island on day tours.

There are over 325 species of birds, that frequent the island, and bird watching is a favorite pasttime on the island in the hopes of seeing such birds as - white cheeked honeyeaters, eastern yellow robins, white breasted woodswallows, pied oyster catchers, and Brahminy kites. Part of the Fraser Island coast has been designated as a RAMSAR site in order to protect the birds.

The Aborigines have lived on Fraser island for 5000 years, during which time the population grew to as many as 3000. With the arrival of the Europeans in 1840, they became overwhelmed and by 1890 there numbers were reduced to about 300. The remaining aborigines were relocated to Missions in Queensland, leaving behind around 500 archaelogy sites, which are now, among the popular places to visit.

During World War II the island was used as a "special training camp" and the relics from that era are also popular places to see.

I'll leave you with an aborigine legend - "according to the legend, when humans were created and needed a place to live, the mightly god Beiral sent his messenger "Yendingie" with the goddess "K'gari" down from heaven to create the land,mountains, rivers and the sea. K'gari fell in love with the earth's beauty and did not wish to leave, so Yendingie changed her into a heavenly island - Fraser Island.