Fraser Island's Top 5 Places to See

2. Central Station
Retaining its name from a time when it was literally a central station for the logging industry, it now serves as a campground, historical site (a number of the old buildings remain) and a set-off point for the 9km ‘Great Walk’ out to Eurong, the other main resort area on Fraser. If that sounds a bit arduous, a boardwalk offers a taste of the rainforest that exists in the island’s heart thanks to a steep cleft and abundant fresh water.

3. SS Maheno
Along with dingoes and Mr Fraser’s demise, the SS Maheno makes up Fraser Island’s ‘triangle of infamy’. Built in 1905, the New Zealand cruise liner was at the end of its life in 1935 and under tow by a Japanese shipbreaker when a cyclone snapped the line and the Maheno ran aground on Fraser Island. It has remained there for more than 80 years but the island is always changing shape (it’s slowly moving eastward), so how much of the ship is visible can vary from year to year.

4. Eli Creek
This crystal clear waterway spills onto the beach on the eastern side of the island. It’s a favourite among young tourists, who like to follow the boardwalk upstream and then jump in the creek and float out towards the sea. It can get hectic around Christmas and Easter, so aim for a mid-week visit outside school holidays if you can.

5. Fraser Island Beach Track
Also known as 75 Mile Beach, it runs nearly the entire length of the island’s east coast in various sections. A 40km stretch of this ‘sand highway’ connects all the attractions on the north-east, including Happy Valley, Eli Creek, and the SS Maheno. It’s a big hit with beach fisherman, who can just pull up in their 4WDs wherever they like and cast in.

This article was originally published in the Open Road magazine.