Western Beach - Fraser Island

The contrast of these two parts of Fraser Island's west coast is stunning and is caused by the way Fraser Island is positioned to the mainland.  The part of Fraser Island south of Moon Point is close to the mainland and the sea in between is known as the Great Sandy Strait. As the name suggests, this is a very shallow and sandy waterway, which is not really open sea and is lined by mangrove and mud flats. The part of Fraser Island north of Moon Point is bordering open sea. Named Platypus Bay, this area is visited by the mighty humpback whales during August, September and October. Sitting on one of the high dunes on Fraser Island along this stretch you'll see the whales playing in the warm sheltered waters. However this part of Fraser Island is very remote and also this beach has many spots with quick sand like conditions where one can easily wreck his vehicle. Also from Wathumba Creek north to Rooney Point the beach is closed to vehicles altogether. (Which means if you would like to go whale watching you'll be way better of using one of the whale watch tours departing from Hervey Bay).

One of the more remarkable parts on the north part are the Arch Cliffs. Beautifully colored old dunes, rising like cliffs from the beach.  The south part has some historic sites and is where the main resort of Fraser Island is located. Kingfisher Bay resort is the only 4 star resort on Fraser Island and was established in the 1990s and build as an eco friendly resort. Directly south of Kingfisher Bay resort is McKenzies Jetty. First created as a timber logging station on Fraser Island, during WWII it became home of the famous Z-force commando unit.

Further South again there where famous Wanggoolba Creek runs off in the sea. Where Wanggoolba Creek passes Central Station inland and is perhaps the most beautiful and amazing view as it makes it way through the rainforest, at this point is has changed into a creek running through a muddy swamp area. At this point the vehicle ferries from River Heads (just out of Hervey Bay) arrive and also there is a tarmac landing strip.  Heading further to the southern tip of Fraser Island, the coast is lined with swamps and mangroves. No roads, settlements or human activity here and this area is rarely visited by tourists on Fraser Island.

Western Beach