Whitsundays and Fraser Coast Island Eco Experience
Get back to nature on the Whitsunday and Fraser coasts with these fabulous eco-experiences. Queensland’s beautiful coastline and idyllic islands offer a huge choice of eco-friendly accommodation and activities. Both the Whitsunday Islands and Fraser Island have World Heritage status, and with the heat of summer receding, these pristine and unique environments are ideal for getting back to nature. We’ve put together some great eco tourism adventures to help you plan your autumn break.
The Whitsundays Of the 74 islands of this beautiful group, only 7 have resort facilities, so you can cruise or sail to a deserted beach for a real taste of tranquility. Proserpine Eco River Tours visit the wild reaches of the Proserpine River and the Goorganga Wetlands, or explore the islands at your own pace on a bareboat charter. After a comprehensive briefing, you'll be ready to take the helm and drop anchor in any of the secluded island bays.
Tall Ship Adventures If sailing the sheltered waters of the Whitsunday Islands aboard a magnificent Australian historic Tall Ship sounds like you, read on. You can snorkel and swim among the fringing coral reefs and or spend time ashore beachcombing and bushwalking. Activities aboard range from helping to raise the sails to tying a bowline, or just relax with newfound friends and a cool drink as the sun goes down.
Ocean Rafting If you like to combine adventure and nature, then ocean rafting is the ideal choice. Enjoy an exhilarating ride to world famous Whitehaven Beach, Hook and Border Islands, or snorkel the pristine reefs at Blue Pearl or Mantaray Bay. There are guided island walks to visit Nara Inlet’s Aboriginal caves and personalised snorkelling lessons.
Kingfisher Bay Resort Nestled among tree-covered dunes beside the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait, this luxurious eco resort is the gateway to the island’s ancient rainforest, spectacular freshwater lakes and famous 75-Mile Beach. Kingfisher rangers guide a variety of 4WD tours and offer a daily programme of nature walks, birdwatching, stargazing and fishing trips. Dolphin search cruises operate most of the year, and there are daily whale-watching tours from August to October. The resort is family friendly too, with a Junior Eco Ranger programme that includes art, walks, orienteering, roping courses and canoeing, spotlighting for animals, stargazing and campouts.
World Heritage Cruises This four-day eco cruise combines the special qualities of a luxury small ship with all the spectacular features of the Fraser Coast. In the protected waters of the Hervey Bay Marine Park, you can often see dugongs, dolphins, whales (from July) and turtles. There are daily kayaking and canoeing trips to isolated beaches, or enjoy a personally guided tour of Fraser Island. Top your day off with a superb meal of local reef fish and tropical fruit complemented with award-winning wines.
Bunya Mountains National Park Rainforests, scenic walking trails and spectacular views are just some of the delights of this park. Once a sacred gathering and feasting place for Aborigines, you can now enjoy gourmet cuisine and wines, all produced locally. You’ll find accommodation for all tastes and budgets including camping and cabins, cosy B&Bs and luxury chalets.
Fraser Coast Travel Guide