World Heritage Sites
Fraser Island
Listed in December 1992, Fraser Island is Australia's newest World Heritage site. It is also the world's largest sand island.
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Location: Queensland coast, 300 km/186 mi north of Brisbane
World Heritage Criteria: Natural
Best Time to Go: All Year
Area: 184,000 hectares (455,000 acres)
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Sand is not usually associated with dense vegetation, but Fraser Island is unique! Spores and seeds carried from the mainland by wind and birds have created a deep covering of humus which now supports astonishingly beautiful life forms - tall rainforests, wildflowers, thick ferns, and silent ponds of waterlilies. The island is dotted with about 40 midnight-blue freshwater lakes, including the highest perched lake in the world.
Dingos (Australian wild dogs), brumbies (wild horses), possums, echidnas, and wallabies thrive on Fraser Island and, to date, 240 different bird species have been identified.
The beauty and undeveloped nature of the island have made it a popular camping and walking area. Four wheel-drive trips, horse riding, and camel treks are popular. Access is by vehicular barge, private aircraft or passenger launches from Maryborough or Hervey Bay, commercial tours or private boats. Visitors can stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort, a new development designed to integrate with the environment.
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