K’GARI (Fraser Island) means ‘Paradise’ to the Butchulla people. But the first colonial settlers to arrive didn’t see the Island with the same vision as the traditional owners. Their vision was a paradise for exploitation. The tall trees of blackbutt, satinay and kauri were chopped down for valuable timber and the sands, which are the very core of the island, were mined and shipped to the mainland. Thankfully, times change and after long conservation battles in the ‘70s and ‘80s, K’gari is now protected with National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Status.
It’s a paradise once again for the many tourists who visit. Most of those visitors are either having a whistlestop coach trip or are driving their own 4WDs on stunning 75 Mile Beach. But, to my mind, K’gari only shows what a true paradise it still is, to the hiker. Hiking on any island involves extra planning and preparation. Luckily, Kingfisher Bay Resort has already done the work for you, offering three-night On-Foot island adventures, which include airport transfers, barge, hotel accommodation,
