K’gari (Fraser Island) Guided Walk

We meet early this morning in Hervey Bay for the drive to the ferry about 20 minutes away and take the morning boat over to land us at Kingfisher bay, our first stop in Fraser Island where we’ll take brunch and have our briefing for the week ahead. Afterwards we drive across the centre of the Island, stopping at the gorgeous Wangoolaba Creek rainforest boardwalk and the giant trees of Pile Valley before reaching our first accommodation is at Eurong.

The afternoon walk begins with a drive along the Eastern Beach highway to reach the start of the Great Walk at Dilli Village. The trail starts from Dilli Village on what you will find for most of the rest of the walk- compact sand with varied foliage coverage. The path goes through scribbly gum woodlands and after about 4km out from Dilli Village you will come across the Wongi sand blow on your right. Take the time to scramble up for some great views. We will continue the walk through eucalypt forest to reach Lake Boomanjin, the largest perched lake in the world.

Known for its reddish hue that it gets from the tea trees that surround it, Lake Boomanjin is a wonderful place for your first dip in K’gari’s lakes if you have the inclination. Then we will transfer by vehicle back at sunset to our hotel accommodation in Eurong.

Please arrive in Hervey Bay the evening before as we will meet at 07:30 to load luggage for the 08:30 Ferry to Fraser Island.

Overnight: Eurong (K’Gari Beach Resort)

Meals: L

Today begins with a transfer to the shores of Lake Benaroon with its kauri pines, staghorn, and palm lilies where we start with a 1km walk around Lake Benaroon. The path here is quite overgrown. Lake Birabeen then appears on our left and we hug the shoreline for another 2–3 km. This portion of the walk can be busy due to its proximity to Central Station, a hub for hikers, 4WDs and day-trippers alike. A further 3km or so of easy walking on an old logging road will bring us to Central Station.

We walk via the Basin Lake, heading west out of Central Station and following the easy path through varying forests for about 3.5km before reaching the lake. Basin Lake is a lovely small lake that is inaccessible to 4WDs so is usually quiet. A great place for a swim.

Continue on from here for another 4km before arriving at the stunning Lake McKenzie. Lake McKenzie itself might be very busy with day trippers, depending on what time you arrive, but as it nears sunset the numbers thin out and we may even end up having it all to ourselves!

Tide depending, we may take a trip this afternoon to see the wreck of The Maheno further up the Fraser coast from Eurong. The Maheno has a fascinating history and was once used as a hospital ship at Gallipolli Cove in WWI.

Overnight: Eurong (K’Gari Beach Resort)

Meals: B, L

Today is an easy day’s walk with few points of interest to stop at along the way. The path begins like most other days, hugging Lake McKenzie for a kilometre or so before heading into dense, tall forest. It’s a mostly flat day again but this time there are no lakes or blow holes to distract you. After another 3km you will cross the Northern Road and it’s another 8km from there to Lake Wabby itself passing by the Hammerstone sandblow. Lake Wabby is a nice tranquil place for a swim but be warned, there are wobbegong sharks in it! They’re harmless enough but could give you a nasty nip if you start touching them.

Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort

Meals: B, L

Today is the longest day’s walk on the whole hike but well worth it. You might want to start early today after yesterday’s sleep in. Today you don’t go back to Lake Wabby (hence the need to visit it the day before), but rather turn off before reaching it and continue along a path that mounts some challenges occasionally as there are some fallen trees and foliage across the path that needs negotiating. You may need to do some scrambling over or around these obstacles.

The path today starts back in the shady, dense forest of the central high dunes. At about the 12km mark, there is a wonderful lookout over the Badjala sand blow. From here you descend through a valley between sand dunes that are covered with rainforest. As the name suggests, as you get closer to camp you will find yourself among some of the largest and most breathtaking trees you could come across. The campsite is right in the middle of the Valley of the Giants with the Giant Tallowood tree close by and worth seeing.

Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort

Meals: B, L

This morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the beautiful Kingfisher bay resort before we jump back on the ferry to the mainland and say our good byes to the extraordinary environment of K’gari.

We’ll transfer into town and drop our bags at the accommodation before our next adventure starts, a whale-watching tour in probably the world’s best place to see Humpback whales up close at this time of year. Hervey Bay has long been established as the whale-watching cruise center of Australia. We’ll be watching breaching, tail slapping, spy-hopping, and majestic Humpback whales in their natural environment; sometimes so close to the boat you could almost touch them. Afternoon tea will be served on the boat today.

Overnight: Hervey Bay

Meals: B, L

Check out from your accommodation by 10am for your onward arrangements in Queensland.

Possibility of whale watching cruise today if it was cancelled the prior day due to bad weather.

• Guided walk with 2 experienced RAW travel leaders / drivers
• 2 nights twin share accommodation at K’gari resort in Eurong, Fraser Island
• 2 nights twin share accommodation at Kingfisher bay resort, Fraser Island
• 1 night twin share accommodation in Hervey Bay
• 4 cafe breakfasts and 5 lunches; daily snacks and morning tea
• Return ferry transfers to Fraser Island
• 4WD car transfers each day to the trailheads and excursions
• Whale watching afternoon and sunset cruise in Hervey Bay
• National park fees for Fraser Island
• 10% GST included
• Carbon offset and native tree planted for each client

• Breakfast on day 1
• Dinners each day not included and taken at the accommodation
• Travel insurance

This walk is moderate and suited to people of reasonably good hiking fitness and experience. Always choose a walk that suits your experience level, fitness and stamina.

• Do not undertake a route beyond your abilities.
• If you suffer from a medical condition that could make the walk risky for you, reconsider if the walk is right for you.

Fraser Island is subtropical, and winter is a pleasant time to visit, with temperate temperatures averaging in the high teens, low 20s. Fraser Island gets rain year round but August is a time of low rainfall, averaging 64mm for the month. It’s also the season for fishing and whale watching.

At the time of year we are walking in winter sandflies are not a concern. Dingoes are present throughout Fraser Island but do not pose a threat to groups of walkers taking sensible precautions. Information boards are posted throughout the Island on how to safely experience Fraser Island and its wild dingo population without any undue risk of harm.

Please arrive in Hervey Bay the evening before as we will meet at 07:30 to load luggage for the 08:30 Ferry to Fraser Island. On your return to Hervey Bay after we have completed our trip on Fraser Island we will be staying at the Hervey Bay beach motel, 475 Charlton Esplanade.

Please ensure that you bring just one main bag ( not inc daypack)  on the Fraser island trip, we can’t take large suitcases as all the group’s luggage will be loaded onto one of the roofs of the 4WD cars. A small suitcase (carry on size) is suitable or soft bag, backpack.