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Fraser Island  The island is considered to be the largest sand island in the world at 1,840 square kilometres (710 sq mi). It is also Queensland's largest island, Australia's sixth largest island and the largest island on the east coast of Australia. Fraser Island has been inhabited by humans for as long as 5,000 years. In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, Fraser Island was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "Natural attraction". Fraser Island has rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, wallum and peat swamps, sand dunes and coastal heaths. It is made up of sand that has been accumulating for approximately 750,000 years on volcanic bedrock that provides a natural catchment for the sediment which is carried on a strong offshore current northwards along the coast. The island became known as Fraser Island due to the stories of a shipwreck survivor named Eliza Fraser. The island is home to a small number of mammal species, as well as a diverse range of birds, reptiles and amphibians, including the occasional saltwater crocodile, turtles, wallabies, snakes and approximately 230 species of birds. The island is protected as part of the Great Sandy National Park. Fraser Island was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Despite the recent bushfire on Fraser Island, tourism icons such as Lake McKenzie, Pile Valley, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Lake Wabby, Eli Creek, Indian Head, and Champagne Pools all remain in pristine condition. Visitors can continue to enjoy these World Heritage-listed wonders as they normally would. The best thing about a Fraser Island 4WD holiday is that it allows you discover the island at your own pace, with the freedom and flexibility to do what you want, when you want to do it. An affordable holiday option offering fun for the whole family, four wheel drive holidays on Fraser Island can be booked to include your accommodation as well as entry permits to the National Parks and even 4WD hire. |