Gain knowledge and understanding of the outstanding culture, ecology and landscapes of UNESCO World Heritage-listed K'gari.

Dingo on Beach

Fraser Island Coastal Driving

Wanggoolba Creek

Tall Timber

Crystal Clear Water at Lake Birrabeen

Fraser Aerial

At a glance

Wind, sand, water and plants work together in an endless cycle to create K’gari (Fraser Island).

World Heritage value

K'gari Fraser Island) is World Heritage listed because of its outstanding natural universal value.

Culture

The Island has a rich and ancient indigenous history. The Butchulla People referred to the Island as 'K'gari', which means paradise.

Lakes

The Island's sand mass provides the base for an incredible landscape of lakes, swamps and creeks, including the world’s highest and largest dune lakes.

Dunes

The immense sand dunes of K'gari are part of the longest and most complete age sequence of coastal dune systems in the world and are still evolving.

Beaches

The ocean beaches of K'gari are of global significance because they form one of the longest, and least modified, continuous interfaces between the land and sea.

Dingoes

The iconic dingo population of K'gari is protected as a native species.

Birds

There are 384 recorded bird species on the Island. This equates to more than half of Australia’s 750 known bird species. The list below represents just some of the birds that can be easily spotted.

Island vegetation

Among the seven main vegetation types and around 800 species of plant life on the Island are plant species that grow nowhere else in the world.

Mammals

A vast array of ecosystems provide the habitat for over 40 species of mammals, including rare and endangered wildlife. It is not normally easy to spot the animals.

Reptiles

Over 60 reptiles are recorded on K'gari some of which are highly venomous. Reptiles are not normally easy to spot on the Island.

Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay

The Great Sandy Strait is 70 km long and separates K'gari from the mainland.

Current threats

The biggest threats to the Island at present are those posed by people.

Pests

Pests on K'gari include the black rat, Indian myna, pig, fox, horse, coastal brown ant, feral cat and the exotic cane toad. Fungal pathogens and weeds are also a problem.

European history

K’gari has a European history dating back to the early 1800s. The arrival of the Europeans impacted the traditional custodians, the Butchulla People, and the environment.

Threats from the past

Past threats to the flora, fauna and culture of K’gari include logging, sand mining and wild fires.

Shipwrecks

The eastern side of the Island is strewn with shipwrecks, the best preserved being the SS Maheno.