The Dirty Aussie - The Daily Happenings Of The Dirty Aussie

I think Fraser Island must be the most beautiful, the most unusual and the most precious island in Australia. But if the name Fraser Island conjures up images of sand and four Wheel Drive vehicles, it is time to pay a visit to this astonishing place.

Of course, there is sand - tons of it. World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is, in fact, the largest sand island in the planet. But that does not prepare you for the scene of towering kauri pines in the quiet, mysterious rainforests in the center of the island. Here, silent streams of crystal-clear water, almost too clear to see, flow soundlessly over white sand. Without a sound because there are no stones or rocks on Fraser Island and, without rocks, streams will not “burble”.

And certainly, there are lots of four Wheel Drive vehicles on the island — out of necessity because no town cars could ever pass through more than a few feet along the sandy tracks of Fraser Island. Nor could they drive along the legendary Seventy Five Mile Beach. To travel along this stretch of sand - nicknamed the world’s most beautiful highway — with the surf pounding to one side, is truly one of life’s great experiences.

While enjoying the drive along the Eastern Beach, stop off at Eli Creek. This cool, fresh creek pumps out 80 million liters of water every day. Floating down this fast-moving water is just as much fun as a Disneyland ride, but in far more beautiful setting.

Then there are the lakes — Fraser Island has half the world’s known sand dune lakes — where visitors can swim in clear water with turtles.

A day spent driving around the island means experiencing constantly changing surroundings, from sand dunes to woodlands, from rainforests to mangrove swamps. If you keep a keen eye open, you’ll see dingoes, echidnas and swamp wallabies; in the ocean you might see dugongs, dolphins and even, from August to October, giant humpback whales.

But to appreciate fully the fascinating ecosystem of the island, a trip with one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s rangers is highly recommended.

Kingfisher Bay Resort has won awards for its success in establishing a thriving complex in harmony with its fragile, natural surroundings.

As you would expect from an international resort, there are swimming pools, spas, three restaurants and bars and comfortable accommodation.

But few international resorts have such spectacular fishing from their own piers, or dolphins swimming alongside as canoeists venture out from the beach, or dingoes lazily sunning themselves beside the guests at the swimming pool.

There’s also a chef who makes bush tucker to melt in your mouth and a Junior Eco Rangers Club, which shows kids the joy of spotlighting for bats and sugar gliders, and how to make plaster casts of the paw prints of local dingoes.

And then there are the knowledgeable, enthusiastic rangers who, as they unveil the wonders of the island to visitors, remind us all how precious Fraser Island is, not only to Australia, but to the whole world.

Fraser Island lies at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, a 35-minute boat ride from Hervey Bay and a 45-minute flight from Brisbane.

Fly Qantas to Brisbane. Kingfisher Bay has six return catamaran services to the resort each day. A barge service for vehicles runs from River Heads.

Kingfisher Bay Resort has more than 152 hotel rooms, more than hundred self-contained villas and a hundred-bed wilderness lodge for groups.