Fraser Island YouTube Videos
These YouTube videos provides some good insights for your holiday to Fraser Island.
The first provides good guidance for first timers to the island detailing attractions, accessing the island, travelling up the beach, and island facilities. Please note the video was taken in 2018, so the barge prices mentioned will be out of date.
The second video was taken in February 2020 and is a traveller’s pictorial account of their holiday to Fraser Island. There is some great footage catching the vehicular ferry from Inskip Point and travelling up the Beach. The footage (both from the car and drone) showcases attactions like the Maheno, Eli Creek, Lake Mackenzie, Wathumba Creek, Champagne Pools and Indian Head.
The Eastern Beach
Chill on the beach.
The beach straight down in front of the house is lovely, and a good option for families. While there are no patrolled beaches on Fraser, playing in the shallows is safe. There are also some fresh water streams and rock pools in front of Happy Valley which are great to keep children entertained.
A supply of beach toys are available at the house to help keep your children entertained.
The Eastern Beach
Eli Creek.
About 7km north of the Valley is Eli Creek. This is the biggest freshwater creek on the island. It is spring fed, and the water pours out at 1 million Gallons an hour. The fast-flowing creek is a must to float down.
The volume of water also makes it a hazard to cars if you stop in the middle of the creek. The sand will be washed away from your tyres and make it very difficult to get out. So safely drive right through – DO NOT stop your car in the creek.
The Eastern Beach
The Maheno.
Beached on the Island another 3km or so further north of Eli Creek.
The Maheno, an old passenger /hospital ship was being towed to Japan for scrap metal in 1935 when it encountered a rare winter cyclone, broke the tow line, and ended up beached on Fraser Island.
The Maheno was involved in active service during WW1, and a plaque celebrating its life and achievements is located in the dunes adjacent to the wreck. If you are lucky enough to be on the island for ANZAC Day, a moving service is held at the Maheno each year.
The Eastern Beach
Cathedral Coloured Sands. Head further north along 75 mile beach and you will notice that many of the sand dunes are coloured orange and red.The most impressive of these is the Cathedrals, so called because the formation looks like the spires of a cathedral.
Exploring The Top End
Orchid Beach.From Middle Rocks, you take the inland track that takes about 20 minutes, cuts off Waddy Point, and brings you out at Orchid Beach. There is a shop, pub and petrol station at this township.
Exploring The Top End
Wathumba Creek.From Orchid Beach follow the tracks to the western side of the Island to Wathumba Creek. It is a pristine Creek with white, white sand and blue, blue water on a clear day. There is often good fishing for whiting and flathead in the creek.
Exploring The Top End
Sandy Cape.If the tides are favourable, and the beach is in good condition, a trip up to Sandy Cape is a wonderful experience. Speak to the locals before you attempt this trip, to ensure Ngala Rocks, between Orchid Beach and Sandy Cape, are passable.
If you do get to the top, you will be rewarded with endless sand dunes, lots of bird life, good fishing, and not many people.
The Wildlife
A family of Curlews nest near the house.They are regular visitors on the verandah at Shearwater, so don’t be surprised to see one looking in the window at you as you sit in the lounge.
The Wildlife
Loggerhead Turtles.Loggerhead turtles can be seen laying their eggs up the beach at various times of year. They are most likely seen closer to Sandy Cape, but this one was snapped making her way up the beach to nest about 200m north of Happy Valley.
The Wildlife
Humpback Whales.Humpback whales travel up the East Coast of Australia each year, breeding in various safe locations like Hervey Bay. They can be seen from Fraser Islands eastern beach from May to October each year.
The Wildlife
Dingo’s.The dingoes on Fraser Island roam all over the island. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has installed dingo-deterrent fencing around most townships, including Happy Valley.
Generally, dingoes go about their lives and stay clear of people. Unhabituated dingoes have a natural fear of people and shy away. From time to time, dingoes may come close and some encounters can turn to tragedy. Stay alert and stay calm.