The Unique Eco-system of Fraser Island

Situated off the coastline of Queensland, Fraser Island unfolds in a unique eco-system filled with sand dunes, lakes, and sea views.

It is the largest sand island in the world, sprawling out for 120km along its coastline.

The eco-system is like nowhere else in the world, combining an eclectic mix of landscapes each filled with their own characteristics and sights. As well as half of the world’s perched lakes, Fraser Island is also a World Heritage listed site, providing the perfect backdrop for exploring.

The Different Eco-Systems on Fraser Island

The island itself brings together rainforests, wallum forests, coastlines, beaches, freshwater lakes, and sand dunes, providing a constantly-changing backdrop for visitors.
Rainforests

The rainforests on Fraser Island are incredibly dense and humid, and are home to an abundance of plant and animal species. Expect to see fungi, liverworts, saplings, mosses, ferns, and lichens basking in the cool air beneath the thick canopies overhead.

• Wallum Forests

  Also known as open woodlands, wallum forests are a haven for a range of colourful flowering plants. You might be able to spot eucalypts, acacias, and grass trees amongst other varieties, many of which provide vital food for nectar-feeding mammals, birds, and insects.

• Beaches

  With more than 120km of coastline, it goes without saying that Fraser Island is home to some incredible beaches. Flanking the sands, you’ll find shrubs and grasslands, as well as sand dunes that provide homes for adaptable plant species. To the west of the island, the beaches are edged with complex mangrove systems and pristine white beaches.

• Freshwater Lakes

  Despite it being just an island, there are over one hundred freshwater lakes on Fraser Island, and they are made up of three varieties: perched, window, and barrage.

  Perched lakes are characterised by their sealed bases and solely rely on rainfall to keep their levels on the rise. Window lakes happen when the ground level falls below the water table, while barrage lakes are formed when sand dunes on the move block the route of free-flowing water.

• Sand Dunes

  Sand dunes are a large part of the eco-system of Fraser Island, and can rise up more than 200 metres above the sea. The most impressive dune on the island is Flinders Sand Blow, which has evolved and moved over thousands of years.

Fraser Island really is a sight to behold with all of its different eco-systems. There’s a little something for everyone, from rainforests and lakes, to forests and sand dunes.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.