K'gari: The largest sand island in the world is in Australia

It used to be called Fraser Island. Some may still know the world's largest sand island by this name. In 2023, Fraser Island was renamed K'gari. Actually, "renamed," because that's the name the island has always had in the indigenous language.

A few years ago, Prince Harry visited K'gari and the Butchulla people.

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According to the Butchulla people, K'gari is the name of the white spirit sent down from heaven by the god Beeral to assist his messenger Yindingie in creating the island and its waterways. So much for that. In the Butchulla language, K'gari also means paradise. And this name truly says it all.

K'gari is located in the Australian state of Queensland . More precisely, on the Fraser Coast, about 300 kilometers north of Brisbane. The world's largest sand island is 123 kilometers long and an average width of 15 kilometers. But K'gari's superlatives aren't the only reason it thrives. Its flora and fauna are enchanting. That's why the island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.

There are more than 100 lakes on K'gari. The most famous of them is Lake McKenzie. Probably because it's also the most beautiful. Light blue, turquoise, crystal-clear water. And what's more: a freshwater lake on a sand island in the ocean. How cool is that?

The colors of the freshwater lake Lake McKenzie are reminiscent of the Caribbean.

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At another lake, you can get what many would otherwise pay for for free: a fish pedicure. Small fish swim in the emerald-green waters of Lake Wabby, nibbling on your toes.

Lake Wabby is surrounded by a sand dune and a dense forest.

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The animal you'll probably encounter most often on K'gari is the dingo. And if not the dingo itself, then at least its paw prints in the sand. The approximately 200 wild dogs that live on the island love to roam the beaches.

Dingoes are shy animals. If you encounter one, stay calm and look it in the eyes. Then it will go away.

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A beautiful vantage point with panoramic views is Indian Head, a rock on the east coast of K'gari. Between August and November, with a bit of luck, you might spot dolphins and humpback whales there.

Indian Head Viewpoint: Those who make it to the top will be rewarded with a 360-degree view.

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The hike to the highest point only takes about 20 minutes. The trail is quite steep, however, so sturdy footwear is recommended. You might also sense a touch of mysticism. For the indigenous K'gari people, Indian Head has long been an important site for traditional ceremonies.

North of Indian Heads lies another highlight – and not just because of its name. The Champagne Pools are volcanic pools separated from the open sea by rocks. Whenever water from the ocean splashes into the pools, countless air bubbles form.

The Champagne Pools get their name from the bubbling that occurs when water is flushed into them.

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This bubbling effect gives the Champagne Pools their name. Incidentally, these natural pools are also a great place for snorkeling at low tide, as many colorful fish swim around in them until the tide comes in and washes them back out to sea.

The 75 Mile Beach on K'gari is not just a beach, but actually an official highway.

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The Champagne Pools are located on 75 Mile Beach. It's not just a beach, but also a highway. An official one at that, with signs and speed limits. This is despite the fact that the sand island in Australia only has sandy roads. K'gari's "Sand Highway" runs along the east coast of the island and is approximately 120 kilometers long.

Sand islands form when a large amount of sand is deposited in one spot. Unlike volcanic or rocky islands, sand islands have no solid base. They are not built on a solid foundation such as rock. Vegetation helps hold the landmass together. Without plants, wind and rain would gradually break up the island.

The sand on K'gari is so hard that it not only holds cars, but also the shipwreck of the SS Maheno, which ran aground here in 1935.

Source: IMAGO/Danita Delimont

Anyone wanting to visit K'gari can easily reach the island by ferry from the Australian coast. It takes between half an hour and an hour, depending on which of the two ports you depart from: River Heads or Rainbow Beach.

Those traveling to K'gari by ferry will be dropped off directly on the beach – car included.

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If you want to drive on K'gari yourself, you'll definitely need four-wheel drive. Without it, you won't be able to get around on the sand island. There isn't a single paved or sealed road on K'gari. This makes K'gari truly worthy of its title as the world's largest sand island.

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