World's Largest Sand Island

The low “wallum” heaths on the island are of particular evolutionary and ecological significance. The immense sand blows and cliffs of colored sands are part of the longest and most complete age sequence of coastal dune systems in the world and they are still evolving. They are a continuous record of climatic and sea level changes over the last 700 000 years. The highest dunes on the island reach up to 240 meters. They provide magnificent wildflower displays in spring and summer.

Fraser Island is large enough that it has over 100 freshwater lakes, in a diverse array of colors. The most popular is Lake MacKenzie -- a large lake with crystal blue waters and white sands. Another popular one is Lake Wabby -- a green-colored lake that is home to freshwater turtles and catfish.

Fraser Island is the only place in the world where tall rainforests are found growing on sand dunes at elevations of over 200 meters. It is also known for its vast mangrove forests. Its wetlands areas include: rare patterned ferns; mangrove colonies; sea-grass beds; and up to 40,000 migratory shorebirds. Rare, vulnerable or endangered species include dugongs, turtles, Illidge’s ant-blue butterflies and eastern curlews.

Fraser Island is famous for over 300 species of birds, and include coastal birds such as dotterals, pied oyster-catchers, pelicans and terns, and birds of prey such as brahminy kites, white-breasted sea eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons. The island's heathlands are home to one of Australia's rarest bird, the ground parrot, where visitors will also find honey-eaters, kingfishers and cockatoos. The freshwater wetlands are the habitat of curlews, jabirus and brolgas.

There are 25 species of mammal, including pure-breed dingoes, wallabies, possums, flying foxes and echidnas. Dugong feed on the sea grass, turtles breed on some island beaches, and tailor spawn annually near rocky headlands.