Fraser Coast

The world's largest sand island, Fraser Island, is a World Heritage Listed site that is truly breathtaking.

But there's also more to discover in the Fraser Coast region, with its sweeping golden beaches, agriculturally rich country, national parks and history.

Fraser Island (www.fraserisland.net)

Stretching over 123 km along the coast, the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island.

It is a place of exceptional beauty, with its pristine white beaches, strikingly coloured sand cliffs, and freshwater lakes.

Explore the island, its ancient rainforest, awesome sand dunes and crystal clear creeks.

It is the only place in the world where tall rainforests are found growing on sand dunes at elevations of over 200 metres.

About 98 per cent of Fraser Island is protected national park. It is home to all kinds of wildlife including possums, wallabies and dingoes, as well as rainforest trees such as satinay and brush box, some more than 1000 years old.

Dive into the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie, float down Eli Creek as it flows rapidly to the beach, marvel at the Maheno shipwreck on the beach, or drive along the famous Seventy-Five Mile Beach.

Hervey Bay www.herveybay.qld.gov.au

Known as Australia’s whale watching capital, Hervey Bay is bordered by 40km of pristine beaches and is a popular resort holiday destination.

Hervey Bay offers convenient access to Fraser Island and those who prefer to do a day trip to the island can opt to stay at the wide choice of accommodation lining the Hervey Bay esplanade, from caravan parks to motels, resorts and holiday apartments.

Sheltered by Fraser Island, the calm, safe waters of Hervey Bay attract hundreds of humpback whales and calves every year from the beginning of August until the end of October.

The whales stop here to rest and play on their migration south to the Antarctic. Mothers take time to fatten up their calves so they can survive the long journey and cold waters.

Kingfisher Bay Resort, conducts daily whale watch cruises with rangers during whale watching season.

You can sometimes even see the whales from the jetty, putting up amazing displays including breaching, fin-slapping and rolling.

Great Sandy Strait www.greatsandystrait.com.au

Perfectly situated between Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay, the Great Sandy Strait features mangrove-lined shores, protected beaches and a maze of tidal creeks and islands.

Its tranquil waterways are home to fish, turtles, dolphins and even dugongs.

This area is also a valuable roosting area for migratory trans-equatorial shorebirds with almost 30,000 birds stopping annually.

It is truly a haven for nature and photography enthusiasts.

Stop at one of the islands or Garry’s Anchorage for a picnic, go fishing, catch a feast of mud crabs or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Townships along the Great Sandy Strait include Rainbow Beach, with its surf and sandy white beaches, and Tin Can Bay, a peaceful seaside town ideal for fishing and boating.

Mon Repos Conservation Park

Mon Repos, Queensland’s most important turtle rookery, near Bundaberg.

Witness the annual onshore pilgrimage of sea turtles to lay their eggs and the subsequent hatching of young sea turtles.

Turtle watching season is November to March. Best time is around high tide, duck to midnight. The nesting beach is 1.6km long.

Mon Repos is about 4.5 hours drive north of Brisbane and 14km from Bundaberg.