Fraser Island Nature's Classroom

49$per student

per day

From

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Geography

Ecotourism

Biology

Hospitality

History & Culture

Leadership

Marine Studies

Team Building

Why Fraser Island?

T: (07) 3032 2816 F: (07) 3221 3270 E: [email protected] W: kingfisherbay.com

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Geography • Visit our shifting sandblows • Canoe through mangrove swamps • Study sustainable development on Fraser Island

Biology • Visit Pile Valley and Wanggoolba Creek. • Study nocturnal creatures • Observe leaf, plant and tree ecosystems and track identification

History and Culture • Learn about Aboriginal history • European settlement and logging

Marine Studies • Study Humpback Whales • Eco systems and inter-tidal zones • Marine creature adaptations

Ecotourism and Hospitality • Back-of-house tours • Ecotourism benchmarks

Leadership and Team Building • Raft building • Low ropes course • Outdoor Laser Tag • Orienteering

Bursting with natural history, geology and culture, Fraser is the perfect choice to take learning out of the classroom and into the outdoors. Our Ranger Guides would love to share their knowledge; so let us custom design an itinerary to suit your needs.

Explore the shores

of Lake McKenzie

Why Fraser Island?

3

On Fraser Island rainforest grows completely in sand

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Why Fraser Island?

The History

Home to the Butchulla people who have lived here for over 5,500 years and originally called the island K’gari (meaning paradise), Fraser Island is filled with a rich cultural history, which is evident in its archaeological sites, middens and ceremonial bora rings. European history credits its discovery to Captain James Cook, who sailed by in May 1770.

World Heritage-listed

Fraser Island is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1992 “in recognition of its outstanding natural universal values” including complex dune systems that are still evolving; perched dune lakes (the second highest concentration in Australia) and rainforests that grow in sand - the only place in the world where they do this at elevations of 200m.

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Why Fraser Island?

The Landscape

Fraser Island has been two million years in the making and combines mangrove forests, wallum heath and peat swamps, eucalyptus woodland, sand dunes, coastal heaths and rainforests into an area just 1840km squared. Perched, Barrage and Window lakes are in abundance and silent running fresh-water creeks are fed from a natural aquifer that takes 100 years for the water to filter through. The two rocky outcrops, on Fraser’s eastern beach, were formed by volcanic activity 80 million years ago.

The Flora and Fauna

Whales, dugongs, dolphins, birds, dingoes, reptiles, amphibians and fish – the island is home to a diverse array of native terrestrial and water fauna. The island’s flora is equally diverse from mangrove colonies to open woodland and dense subtropical rainforest growing completely in sand.

A natural choice when it comes to studying the

animal and plant kingdom.

Fire plays an important role in bush regeneration

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Exploring the island

4WD learning adventures

Sit back and relax in air conditioned comfort, whilst our experienced tour guides take your group to the most interesting sites the island has to offer. Choose from our range of itineraries, or let us custom design one to suit you.

Half Day Itinerary

• Drive along Fraser Island’s sand tracks to Central Station, a former forestry camp, with an excellent interpretive centre. Your guide will talk about the rainforest and the exotic King Ferns - the largest fern in the world with fronds that can reach up to 5m.

• Walk the banks of Wanggoolba Creek, and learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit this region.

• Visit Lake McKenzie, Fraser’s most beautiful fresh-water lake. Take a swim in the crystal-clear waters or just chill out on its white sandy shores. Your guide will include a talk about the formation of perched lakes and the significance to the ecosystem of Fraser Island.

Explore in our custom-designed 4WD buses

Our guides will regale you with their knowledge of the natural history, geology and culture of the island.

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Full Day Itinerary

• Includes the half day itinerary plus:

• Drive up the famous 75-Mile Beach to see the coloured iron oxide sands of The Pinnacles and the wreck of the Maheno. Your guide will provide some interesting facts about her life as well as the history of other shipwrecks around Fraser Island. Study the effects of rusting, the creation of an artificial reef and the creatures that have now taken over the wreck.

• Stop for a swim in Eli Creek or wade through the cool, fresh water or enjoy the surrounds from the boardwalk. Your guide will enthrall you with information about the underground fresh water supply to Fraser Island, its source and the volume that flows into the ocean each day.

• Visit Pile Valley via the inland forestry tracks, where Fraser’s famous Satinay trees grow in sand, one of only two places in the world. See the tall, majestic Satinay trees that were used to line the banks of the Suez Canal and to rebuild The London Docks after World War II.

4WD learning adventures


Visit famous Eli Creek where fresh water flows on to

75-Mile Beach at a rate of about 4.2 million litres every hour.

An outdoor classroom that inspi

res

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Discover why Wanggoolba Creek is cal led the ghost creek


The Lakes and Creeks Tour

Fraser Island has the second highest concentration of dune lakes in Australia

• Hike to Basin Lake, which is set high in the dunes and learn about this black water perched lake.

• Drive along Fraser Island’s sand tracks to Central Station, a former forestry camp, with an excellent interpretive center. Your guide will talk about rainforest, flora and fauna and logging history of the island.

• Walk the banks of Wanggoolba Creek, and learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit this region.

• Visit Pile Valley, via the inland forestry tracks, where Fraser’s famous Satinay trees grow in sand - one of only two places in the world. See the tall, majestic Satinay trees that were used to line the banks of the Suez Canal and to rebuild The London Docks after World War II.

• Visit Lake McKenzie Fraser’s most beautiful fresh-water lake. Take a swim in the crystal-clear waters or just chill out on its white sandy shores. Your guide will include a talk about the formation of perched lakes and the significance to the ecosystem of Fraser Island.


Fraser Island surrounded by salt water and formed entirely by sand, supports more than 100 freshwater lakes and numerous creeks.

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Champagne Pools are natural ly

formed rock pools



The Eastern Beach and Dunes Tour

• Stop for a swim in Eli Creek and wade through the cool, fresh water or enjoy the surrounds from the boardwalk. Your guide will amaze you with information about the underground fresh water supply to Fraser Island, its source and the volume that flows into the ocean each day.

• Drive up the famous 75-Mile Beach to see the coloured iron oxide sands of The Pinnacles and the wreck of the Maheno. Your guide will provide some interesting facts about her life as well as the history of other shipwrecks around Fraser Island.

• Climb Indian Head, one of Fraser Island’s three rocky outcrops. Indian Head is the most prominent landmark on 75-Mile Beach. The 60-metre high rocky bluff was created by volcanic activity about 50 – 80 million years ago.

• Study Marine Biology at The Champagne Pools - an entirely different ecosystem can be observed around the tidal rock pools.

Fascinating marine creatures cling to the edges of a half-wet, half-dry environment, with amazing adaptations which allow them to survive.

Eli creek flows out of Fraser Island’s water table

Experience Mother Natures Jacuzzi at The Champagne Pools.

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Island Formation Tour• Trek through the dunes to emerald-green

Lake Wabby, one of many window lakes on the island, yet the only example of a barrage lake, where the shifting sands of Hammerstone sandblow threaten to engulf the lake altogether. Learn why the lake is green compared with Lake McKenzie or Basin and Boomanjin lakes.

• See Fraser’s shifting sands at - Hammerstone Sandblow - one of many sandblows on Fraser Island - study the sand geomorphology and geology.

• Swim in the clear fresh waters of beautiful Lake Birrabeen, another perched freshwater dune lake, compare its ecology with that of Lake Wabby and learn about the formation of the lake systems on Fraser.

Lake Birrabeen is 7m deep

Stonetool Sandblow is an active

mobile sandblow

Find out about the controversial sand mining history on Fraser Island.

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Our knowledgeable rangers wil l make learning fun

Butchulla Walk

K’Gari, meaning ‘paradise’, is the Aboriginal name for Fraser Island. Learn about Butchulla legends and culture. See midden remains in the sand dunes, discuss the legend of Fraser Island’s formation, taste bush tucker, learn about the roles of men, women and children in Aboriginal clans.

Bird Watching Walk

Fraser Island is home to 354 species of bird life including the rarely seen Powerful Owl. Some migratory species come from as far away as Siberia. Learn when and where to find some of Fraser Island’s bird life.

Walks and talks with our Eco Rangers

Join our Kingfisher Bay Resort Rangers on a guided one-hour nature walk and learn about the Australian bush and how the Butchulla and early European settlers used it for both food and medicine. Discover the bird and animal life and find out about the history of the island.

Join our Rangers as they teach the basics of bird watching.

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Resort grounds are perfect

for eco walks

Eco Tourism Walk

Kingfisher Bay Resort has set benchmarks in ecotourism. The resort’s architectural design, infrastructure and activities minimise the effects on the environment, conserve energy and minimise waste. Come behind the scenes and see how we operate our sewerage treatment plant and how our worms help us recycle.

Bush Tucker Walk

On Fraser, our bush provided foods and medicine for both the Butchulla and early European settlers. Learn how to identify this rich source of Australian food; find out how it can be used in every day life; and, taste the flavours of the bush.

Night Spotlighting

Put on your sneakers, bring a torch and join the search for our unusual nightlife. See insectivorous bats socialising and feeding around the resort lakes; learn about the stars in the southern sky; or see the rare acid frogs of Fraser Island and how they have adapted to survive.

Turn the spotlight on sugar gliders as they move from tree to tree.


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Beach Walk

At every low tide the inter-tidal zone emerges as the water recedes and the sand flats becomes land and, as such, its creatures have had to adapt to survive. Walk along the beach along the beach towards McKenzie’s Jetty, an old logging site, and discover the animals and plants that inhabit this zone.

Mangrove Walk

Dundonga Creek has a fascinating mangrove colony, which plays a vital role in sustaining the marine ecosystem. There are eight mangrove species in this one area. Discover how mangroves differ form other plants; find out how they adapt to a salt environment and learn about the sands of the North White Cliffs and their significance in the island’s formation.

Wallum Walk

Walk through the lakes system and wallum heath near the resort. On this walk you’ll learn about the link between the animals and plants in this area and look at the role fire plays in a wallum community.

This area is home to many wonderful creatures that survive the tidal change from sea to sand.

Fraser Island

’s mangrove c

olony is

home to a num

ber of bird s

pecies


The Wal lum is an ecosystem unique to coastal south-east Queensland extending into north-eastern New South Wales

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Berrillbee Trail

The Berrillbee walk takes you through the open forest and different plant communities around the resort. Learn about the logging history of Fraser Island and hear old logging yarns.

Great Sandy Straits Walk

The views on this walk through open forest are superb and the lookout is a great vantage point to see the islands of the Great Sandy Strait. Discover what animals live in this type of forest and learn about the formation of Fraser Island.

Fraser Island Slide Show

See the spectacular beauty of Fraser Island. Learn about the flora and fauna. See native wildflowers, dingoes, lizards, echidna, snakes, birds of prey, humpback whales, dolphins, dugong and rays. You’ll also find out why there are no koalas, kangaroos or emu on the island.

Marvel at the diversity of life and scenery.

Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins

are one species found near Frase

r


Discover the symbiotic relationship between plant life and fungi

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Ranger or self-guided extended walks

Z-Force Unit circuit hike

Time: 3 hours

Grade: Medium

Suitable for: All ages

Track type: Well defined sand track, bitumen, woodchip track

Seasons: Year round – Tide dependant

Features: Z Special Unit ruins bring to life the experience of commando soldiers from six countries training on Fraser Island during WWII.

Lake McKenzie circuit hike

Time: 5-7 hours walking

Grade: Medium


Track type: Well defined sand track, some soft sections, 3 dunes to climb

Seasons: All year round – Tide dependant

Features: Spring wildflowers abound on these open and closed forest tracks, including three species of Xanthorrhea (grass trees), native orchids and many bush tucker plants. Walk beneath all ten species of gum trees found on the island and enjoy myriad acacias and leptospermums. Ant and Antlion activity displaying coloured sands. Diversified habitats from wallum to open woodland and rainforest, freshwater creek and a spectacular lake for swimming.

Beerillbee circuit hike

Time: 2 hours

Grade: Medium


Track type: Well defined sand track

Seasons: Year round

Features: Amazing views of the Great Sandy Strait from the lookout point.

The Fraser Isla

nd Satinay

is found in Pile

Val ley

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Make learning fun

A few ideas to get your school group itching to learn more

• Learn about eco tourism at Kingfisher Bay Resort including our recycling programs, sewerage treatment and worm farm.

• Sit around the campfire, toast marshmallows and learn about the history Fraser Island, including dreamtime stories, stargazing or just reflect on your day.

• Learn about our inter-tidal zones and investigate the crabs, worms, molluscs and crustaceans that call this area home. Discover the amazing adaptations they have made to an environment where their survival is threatened alternately by parching and flooding, oxygen and salt.

• Discover beaches, wetlands and everything in between.

• Play environmentally themed games and learn traditional indigenous folklore.

• Canoe through our mangrove colony and discover the rare and threatened birds, insects and animals that take refuge in this very sensitive environment.

Share stories and toast marshmallows around an open campfire

ex Kingfisher Bay Resort only. Some activities may be weather or tide dependant.

Campfires are not permitted during total fire bans.

Discover beaches, wetlands and everything in between.

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Make learning fun

Go spotlighting for nocturnal nativ

es

A few more ideas...

Learn about leaf, plant, tree, ecosystem and track identification.

ex Kingfisher Bay Resort only. Some activities may be weather or tide dependant.

Campfires are not permitted during total fire bans.

• Make a food web of mangrove ecology.

• Emulate the Butchulla Clan for the day, and work out how to survive here – food, hunting and gathering, shelter, defense, health, recreation.

• Have a silent listening party (from the canoes, or on the beach).

• Attempt a sand sculpture, or some bush art and craft.

• Hear about our logging of the island, the story of Eliza Fraser and whale migration.

• Create a feast of the senses – a night time activity where your group will experience and identify flavours whilst blindfolded.

• Learn about the lives of our nocturnal creatures and go spotlighting for bats, sugar gliders and frogs.

• Try your skills in our fishing clinics and learn about green zones and legal limits.

• Leadership and Team Building activities can be tailored to suit your purposes, including orienteering, laser skirmish and raft building.

• Back-of-house hospitality tours and talks.

• Test your balancing skills on our low ropes course.

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Exploring the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park

Whale Watch Cruise - Ex Kingfisher Bay Resort

Why not take time out in your itinerary and enjoy a fun day out in the Great Sandy Marine Park where you’ll have the photos and whales video to prove it.

• Season August to October

• Cruise departs the resort daily

• A hydrophone lets you listen to the live underwater sounds of the male humpbacks

• The skipper and staff on board provide expert commentary

• Wheel chair access, children’s activity books and refreshments are all part of the service

• Whale information available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese and Korean

• Advanced Eco Accreditation.

Whale watch in calm waters

In our neck of the woods the humpbacks aren’t just passing through on their way to their breeding grounds each August through October – they’re actually taking time out in the pristine waters off Fraser Island to socialise, have some fun, learn some essential lifeskills and nurture their young.

Our underwater viewing camera beams images onto screens around the boat.

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Adventure Cruise - Ex Kingfisher Bay Resort

• Season November to July

• Cruise departs the resort daily

• The region is alive with bird and marine life

• Visit Pelican Bank, McKenzies Jetty or Big Woody Island

• Swim, boom-net or snorkel

• Cultural and historical commentary.

Risso’s dolphins and Fraser’s

dolphins have

been spotted in the Great Sandy St

rait

Spot a friendly pod of dolphins or the many dugong who feed on the seagrass beds in the straits in the morning. Our cruise offers 360 degree viewing levels, and some cruises even have boom netting off the back for the more adventurous - it’s a cruisy time and fun for the entire group.

Exploring the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park

See dolphins, turtles, dugong and other marine life.

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Resort Hotel rooms sit lightly on the land


Where do we stay?

Kingfisher Bay Resort - The natural difference

Kingfisher Bay Resort, located on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, offers the perfect balance between education, fun and adventure.

The resort, on the western side of Fraser Island has capitalised on the island’s natural surrounds, creating a living classroom for student groups of all ages.

Its all about nature on Fraser Island - giving your school group the opportunity to ‘think outside the square’ and go on a learning adventure that will explore all their senses.

The Wilderness Lodges

Our comfortable Wilderness Lodges promise a good night’s rest on Fraser Island. These timber lodges are surrounded by gum trees, bush plants and native birds, so you’ll still get your nature fix.

Each lodge has quad-share bedrooms with full insect screens. Bedrooms have ceiling fans to keep you cool during summer and heating for those winter nights. Linen, blankets and bath towels are provided and there are separate male and female bathrooms - each with two showers.

Our lodges have an open lounge area that’s perfect for breakaway group activities or socialising, as well as a small kitchenette with fridge and tea and coffee making facilities.

Resort Hotel Room

Enjoy the best of the bush from the private native-timber deck, or soak up the smells and sounds of the land as you wander our timber walkways.

When the day is done, stretch out in air-conditioned comfort on the queen or king-single beds and reflect on a day well-spent. Ask about upgrading to bay view or spa rooms.

Wilderness Lodges are set

in native bush

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Fraser Island i

s famous for

its great beac

h fishing

Eurong Beach Resort - In the dunes on 75 Mile Beach

Eurong Beach Resort

Our accommodation is perfect for keeping your group in one common area.

Quad rooms sleep up to a maximum of four people in single beds with private bathroom facilities - so no queuing for the showers in the morning.

Rooms are conveniently located close to the main restaurant complex and swimming pool area and are only a short walk to the beach.

Where do we stay?

There aren’t too many beach resorts that can boast that they’re literally built in the dunes atop one of the world’s best beaches…but Eurong Beach Resort can.

Set on Fraser Island’s famous east coast – it’s an easy ferry trip and four-wheel drive from Rainbow Beach, Wanggoolba Creek or Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Eurong is undoubtedly one of Queensland’s most scenic resort locations, but who would’ve thought this large sandy isle could support so much life.

There’s plenty to do when class is over

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75-Mile Beach is a gazetted beach highway and an airstrip

Where are we?

Fraser Island is located along the southern coast of Queensland approximately 290km north of Brisbane.

Approximately 120km in length and 24km wide, it is the largest sand island in the world; the largest island in Queensland and the sixth largest island in Australia.

Access is by vehicular ferry from River Heads (Hervey Bay) and the journey takes approximately 50 minutes each way.

Hervey Bay is well serviced by air, rail or road.

Sandy CapeSandy Cape Lighthouse

Waddy Point

Champagne Pools

Indian Head

Red Canyon

Dundubara

Knifeblade Sandblow

Maheno Wreck

Eli Creek

Rainbow Gorge

Lake Wabby

Eurong QPWS Information Centre

Garrys Anchorage

Hook Point

Inskip Point

Rainbow Beach

Central Station

WanggoolbaCreek

River Heads

Hervey Bay

Moon Point

Wathumba Creek

Platypus Bay

Rooney Point

Access ramp to Hook Point inland road

Great Sandy National Park

Lake Allom

LakeGarawongera

LakeBirrabeen

Lake Boomanjin

Great Sandy Strait

Ngkala Rocks

Ocean Lake

The Pinnacles

Yidney Rocks

Poyungan Rocks

Hook Point inland road

Orchid Beach

Lake McKenzie

Yidney Scrub

Legend

4WD track

No beach driving

QPS Information Centre(emergency medical assistance only)

Ranger station

Suitable for caravans

Private accommodation

Shop, gas, ice

Fuel

Toilets

Picnic table

Telephone

Barge landing

Bush Camping

National park

Great Walk

Lake Garawongera scenic drive

Barge Route

4WD Camping Zone

Southern Lakes scenic drive

Boat access

Parking area

Police station

Ambulance

Lighthouse

Water (treat before drinking)

Do not swim in the ocean

CoolooloiCreek

10kmScale0 20km5km 15km

Fraser Island

Brisbane

Sydney

QueenslandSouth Paci�c Ocean

Dilli Village

Lake BoomanjinLake Boomanjin

King�sher Bay ResortMainland Reception

133.5 108.5 97.5 106 111 77.5 63 39 31

102.5 77.5 66.5 75 80 46.5 32 8

94.5 69.5 58.5 67 72 38.5 24

70.5 45.5 34.5 43 48 14.5

56 31 20 28.5 35.5

58.5 33.5 22.5 14

44.5 19.5 8.5

36 11

25

Note: Distances may vary depending on tyre pressure and wheel slip in soft sand.

Sandy Cape

Orchid Beach

Indian Head

Cathedral Beach

Happy Valley

Kingfisher Bay

Central Station

Eurong

Dilli Village

Distance Chart (in km)

Barge tickets and permits available from Shell Service Station

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T: (07) 3032 2816 F: (07) 3221 3270 E: [email protected] W: kingfisherbay.com

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Fraser Island Nature's Classroom