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AUSTRALASIA FRASER ISLAND DESTINATIONS


David Whitley goes off-road to explore the beaches, lakes and rainforests of Fraser Island


Fraser quest


T


he largest sand island on earth, Fraser Island is one of


the big drawcards of Australia’s east coast. Long a backpacker favourite, it


was the centre of a publicity blitz when Harry and Meghan made a royal visit shortly after their wedding last year. The World Heritage-listed


natural wonder combines beauty, ecological importance and a sense of wild adventure – making it a perfect peg for a holiday in Queensland.


◗ SEE: NATURAL BEAUTY The initial highlight of Fraser Island is the main road – which happens to be the 75-mile-long beach on the eastern coast. It


also doubles as the landing strip for scenic flights. As with the rest of the island,


it’s a four-wheel-drive affair, and many of the highlights lie just off it. These include the gentle freshwater flow of Eli Creek, which backpackers float along in rubber tubes, along with the photogenic Maheno Shipwreck and the Pinnacles, a section of multi-coloured sand cliffs. Farther north, the Champagne


Pools provide safe saltwater swimming, and Indian Head is a top spot for wildlife watching. It’s one of the rocky outcrops that the island has formed around, and provides a good perch for spotting whales, dolphins, manta rays and sharks


There are restrictions on entering the crystal-clear lakes with sun cream on, to keep the water pure


– which explains why saltwater swimming is best restricted to the Champagne Pools. But head along the bumpy


tracks inland, and some astonishing natural sights await. This is believed to be the only place in the world where rainforest grows on sand, and the best way to experience it is on


one of the walking trails heading from Central Station – a former logging camp that provided the turpentine trees to help build the London Docks and Suez Canal. The star attractions for most


visitors, however, are the lakes – crystal clear, perfectly drinkable water and surrounded by fine white sand. Restrictions on entering with sun cream on are in place to keep the water as pure as possible. Lake McKenzie, in particular, is one of the most memorable swims on earth.


◗ SELL: EAST COAST ADVENTURE Fraser Island’s two gateways – small-scale holiday hideaway Rainbow Beach, and bigger


4 April 2019 travelweekly.co.uk 49


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