Rich colors, waters, forest and knowledge on Fraser Island

By Bobbi Lee Hitchon // 19 April 2010 // Comments: 1 // Related Categories: adventure, fraser island, Review, Things to do, tour

For a traveler, one of the most thrilling things about Australia is its authenticity. Even places in the country that are most often visited by tourists remain unbusy and sometimes even look untouched. From the moment I arrived in Australia Fraser Island was all I heard people talk about in hostels. With all the hype, I pictured something like the area surrounding Niagara Falls in New York-tacky and hectic.

Fraser was nothing like that. While many backpackers visit the famed Australian island, it's actually one of the only places I've been too where people can still lose track of the world and have the world lose track of them.

12/4/2010-A catamaran floats off the beach at the entrance to Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Stretching 122 kilometers, it's not uncommon for people to get lost in the island's vast rainforest or massive beaches, and with the rich wild and plant life in them, people may just want to get lost.

12/4/2010-Gum trees tower over the Central Station Rainforest on Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Walk through massive and rare king ferns along Wanggoolba Creek. Hug Big Jim, one of the largest of many towering satinay trees in Pine Valley. Exfoliate your skin and replenish your hair in Lake McKenzie. Swim in the rocky Champagne Pools. Peer up at the vibrating orange Coloured Sands. Make sure to get a photo in front of Maheno Shipwreck. Maybe even watch dingoes in the wild, but make sure not to feed or play with them.

13/4/2010-A dingo stares at our tour bus on Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

There are many ways to see Fraser Island and every way has its benefits. But for those with little time that want to see the island's most notorious spots, while learning interesting facts and stories about them, a guided tour may be the best option. I toured Fraser with Cool Dingo Tour's two day, one night excursion.

12/4/2010-Passengers board Kingfisher Bay ferry in Hervey Bay to depart for Fraser Isand. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

The trip, which includes courtesy hostel pick-up and drop-off, departs from Hervey Bay at 9 a.m. and arrives at Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village around 10 a.m. The resort has comfy, modern cabins, with quad and double rooms. It's fenced off from dingoes and has a bar, pool and shuttle service.

12/4/2010-The bell on board Kingfisher Bay ferry as it crosses the Great Sandy Strait from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

There's not much time to look around the resort upon arrival, as the busy, but relaxing tour starts immediately. The best part about  a guided tour is the knowledge that can only be offered by tour leaders that study and spend heaps of time on the island. Damien, my tour guide, doesn't just regertitate information. He really studies the island and fact checks the myths surrounding it. He knows a lot about Aboriginal culture and tells great stories throughout his tours.

13/4/2010-Damien, my Cool Dingo tour guide, hold Flax Lily he picked from Indian Head on Fraser Island. According to him, the berry is said to have been used by Aboriginal women for abortion. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

If you want to see Fraser, grab some friends and rent a 4WD, if you want to know Fraser, travel with Cool Dingo Tour.

13/4/2010-Looking into the bow of Maheno Shipwreck on Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Fraser Island. The ship washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

13/4/2010-An unsually decorated rock on Indian Head, Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

13/4/2010-Standing from the top Indian Head on Seventy-Five Mile Beach on Fraser Island. It's not rare to see tiger sharks and rays swimming along rocks below. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

12/4/2010-White sands contrast a teal and royal blue Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

12/4/2010-Radiated by glimpses of sun, king ferns glow above a clear stream of water at Wangoolba Creek on Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

12/4/2010-The shell of an insect climps to plants surrounding Basin Lake on Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

12/4/2010-An island-goer floats near the edge of Basin Lake on Fraser Island. While the lake was beautiful, Damien, my Cool Dingo tour guide, recommended patrons not swim in the lake as it was rehabilitating from years of pollution off swimmers' bodies, such as insect repeller and sunscreen. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

12/4/2010-Ferry passengers enter Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

13/4/2010-Even on a rainy day, Colored Sands on Fraser Island illuminate. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Cool Dingo Tour

1800 072 555

www.cooldingotour.com

Departing from Hervey Bay, the two day, one night tour includes two days of guided 4WD tours, one night accommodation on Kingfisher Bay Resort, one buffet breakfast (eggs, sausage, ham, toast, cereal and more), two deli lunches, one buffet dinner, snacks (cookies, muffins, museli bars, etc.), return ferry and national park fees.

Accommadation: quad ($317), double ($370)

Check their website for departure dates and more.

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Many special thanks to VIP Backpackers and All Seasons for being our gracious hosts throughout this trip!