The Best of the K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk – K’gari, Queensland

The Best of K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk showcases the best of the 90km Great Walk track over three days. 

Discover the ancient towering giant trees in the Valley of the Giants, experience tea tree infused wilderness lakes and explore the sand flats and rust coloured creeks of Lake Boomanjin; the largest perched lake in the world. Witness the magnificent giant king ferns and meandering clear fresh-waters of Wanggoolba Creek in Pile Valley. Be immersed in the peace of Basin Lake, take a dip in the green water or transverse around the water’s edge. Swim in the crystal clear waters of the famous Lake McKenzie and relax on the pure white silica sand and reflect. Walking is a truly rich experience, exploring and discovering the best natural wonders in a peaceful, calm environment with total tranquility.

The Best of K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk is a deluxe walking package. Be immersed in natural beauty by day and enjoy the comforts of luxury at night.

AT A GLANCE

7–10 May 2022
29 July–1 Aug 2022

See the "Book Now" dropdown box for more dates.

(If the dates listed are not suitable, please contact our team travel@australiangeographic.com or call 1300 241 141 to enquire about alternative dates if you prefer to travel with your own private party)

Activity Level

The hiking grade is easy to moderate. It is recommended that hikers have an average level of fitness to undertake this hike. Tracks are generally gentle gradients, but are quite steep in some sections, Grade 3 & 4 tracks.

Duration

4 days, 3 nights. 40km (approx.) total walking distance.

Prices

From $2700 per person twin share
Single supplement from $800

Group Size

Minimum 4, maximum 6 participants

Featuring Region

Fraser Island’s best sites lakes and rainforest (including Lake Mckenzie), Queensland

Trip Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of K’gari (Fraser Island) and discover unique flora and fauna, perched lakes and rainforests while you traverse the tracks in this world renowned UNESCO World Heritage site, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding coastal sand dunes and evolutionary history.
• See and experience K’gari (Fraser Island) from a unique perspective, while discovering rarely explored paths through the walking track system away from the busy 4wd tourist hubs.
• Swim in pristine freshwater lakes and walk along white sand beaches.
• A unique experience to be enjoyed by all nature lovers (or lovers of the great outdoors). A great tour option to suit couples, groups and families, solo adventurers and special interest groups, such as bird watchers and photographers.
• Relaxed atmosphere in deluxe private accommodation, get to enjoy (in the good company of others) cold drinks, wine, canapés and gourmet meals. Whilst taking in the spectacular sunset views from the expansive deck of Waiuta Retreat.
• Eco Certified with Eco Tourism Australia.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Welcome day, Coastal Walk, McKenzies Jetty

Walking distance: Around 7-6 km

Walking time: 2 – 3 hours, Easy  

Arrive at Hervey Bay office reception at 12 pm, or a complimentary pick up is available, where you will be greeted by your guides and meet fellow walkers, before travelling to Riverheads to board the 1:00pm barge over to K’gari (Fraser Island). 

Watch for dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs and whales (in season), on your 45min. transfer across the beautiful Great Sandy Strait, following the coast of Fraser Island, before arriving at Kingfisher Bay. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation, at Waiuta Retreat for lunch. After lunch, you will take a short 4wd transfer to a meeting point in the track near the historic site of McKenzies Jetty, where you will begin your adventure with a gentle walk through the forest and along the beautiful beach back to the Kingfisher Bay jetty, as the afternoon sun is setting. Returning to your accommodation, relax with your fellow walkers over some nibbles and a glass, or two of wine. Indulge in a delicious gourmet dinner on the veranda, overlooking the canopy of the national park and water views of the Great Sandy Strait. After dinner, you’ll retire for the evening for a good night’s rest before you embark on the second day of your adventure.

Accommodation at Waiuta Retreat, Kingfisher Bay

Lunch and dinner provided

DAY 2 – Lake Garawongera, Valley of the Giants

Walking distance: Around 10 – 12km

Walking time: 6 hours, Easy-Moderate  

Wake up in comfort and tranquillity to enjoy a hearty breakfast and a cup of tea/coffee on the verandah before your private 4WD transfer to the northernmost section of the Great Walk, Lake Garawongera and surrounds. While walking keep a keen eye out for the abundant birdlife, echidnas and native flora as the trail weaves through serene forest, to Lake Garawongera. Here you can enjoy a nice refreshing swim in the tea-tree infused lake and enjoy a fully prepared lunch, courtesy of your support guide.  

After lunch, you will descend into the Valley of the Giants. Your 4WD transfer will drop you into the Valley of the Giants, where you can enjoy one of two short, stunningly beautiful side-trails. Encounter some of the oldest and largest trees on the island, stands of brush box, satiny trees and rainforest, as well as areas of open forest on one of the side-trails; the Giant Tallowwood (2.6km return) or the Giant Satinay (4.2km return). The serenity interrupted only by the chatter of birds and the whispers of the treetops. 

From your afternoon walks you will arrive back to your accommodation, settle in for a well-earned rest, sharing stories of the day over a gourmet evening meals and drinks.

Accommodation at Waiuta Retreat, Kingfisher Bay

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

DAY 3 – Dilli Village, Lake Boomanjin, Lake Benaroon

Walking distance: Around 15km 

Walking time: 6 hours, Moderate 

Ease into your morning in the serenity of the Great Sandy Strait National Park bush sounds, before embarking on your day of exciting walking. The morning begins with a drive along the Eastern Beach to the Great Walk trailhead at Dilli Village, via Stonetool Sandblow. Once at Dilli Village you will follow the boardwalk across the creek where swamp banksia, melaleucas, sedges and coral ferns thrive. Scribbly gum woodland and open forests will lead you to the short ascent to spectacular views from the Wongi Sandblow (optional). You will continue the walkthrough eucalypt forest to reach Lake Boomanjin.

Reward yourself at the end of the walk, while your lunch is prepared, with a quick swim in the largest perched lake in the world, Lake Boomanjin. After lunch stroll along Lake Boomanjin’s north-western beach foreshore up to a ridge that leads through ever-changing landscapes of sand and rainforests, through open woodland, brush box and blackbutt forest descending to Lake Benaroon. 

Continue along the lake for a short walk through the forest admiring kauri pines, staghorn, and palm lilies, where your guide will be waiting for you. This afternoon provides another opportunity to relax by the lake and take a refreshing swim. 

Returning to your accommodation to reflect on your day, indulge with some wine and cheese platter, from the comfort of the expansive deck. Relax and enjoy a gourmet dinner followed by nightly spectacular of the star-filled skies. Don’t forget to wish upon that falling star, though your wish may have already come true, here on the Great Walk K’gari (Fraser Island)

Accommodation at Waiuta Retreat, Kingfisher Bay

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

DAY 4 – Lake McKenzie, Basin Lake, Pile Valley

Walking distance: Around 10km, 4WD: Around 20km

Walking time: 3.5/4 hours, Moderate

After lunch you will embark on your walk into Lake McKenzie. Along the way you will be able to stop off at Basin Lake and have a refreshing swim, before continuing through blackbutt forests to Lake McKenzie; one of K’gari (Fraser Island’s) and Australia’s most popular and iconic destinations. When you arrive immerse yourself in the white sand beach and crystal clear blue water, of such beauty that needs to be seen to be believed. Your day will conclude where your journey began, your guide will transfer you back to Kingfisher Bay where you can enjoy a relaxing drink on the beach as the sun sets. The barge returns you back across the Great Sandy Strait to the mainland, giving you time to enjoy and reflect on your K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk journey. 

Breakfast and lunch provided.

Itinerary, distances and times outlined are rough estimates and a guide only. These are subject to change and may depend on group and walking speed and track access. If in the unlikely event of an itinerary change, any forced alternate routes will be a similarly spectacular itinerary. Fortunately Fraser Island has an abundance of stunning scenery to visit! 

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• All food and beverages: Gourmet meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, cheese platter/canapés) complimentary beer, champagne, red or white wine with dinner.
• Barge and 4WD transfers: from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island and to the meeting points on the Great Walk track.
• Guided tour (2 guides): guide 1 – interpretation guide, on the ground guide walking with the hikers providing information on the environment. Guide 2 – support guide, pick up/ drop off, preparing lunch, food etc.
• Accommodation: 3 Nights staying in Waiuta Retreat (private house), the retreat is nestled in the bush above Kingfisher Bay, with views of the Great Sandy Strait.
• Storage: complimentary bag storage and car storage (locked).

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Domestic or international airfares
• Travel insurance (which we recommend)
• Meals/beverages other than specified
• Tips & gratuities
• Optional tours/services

COVID-19

Until further notice: from 1st October 2021 we will require that all participants on our tours must be fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved vaccine against Covid-19 with the final dose administered no later than two weeks prior to departure. See terms and conditions for more details.

• Accommodation and meals:  Strict hygiene conditions apply to the way accommodation is prepared for your stay and in the serving of meals.
• Vehicles, hygiene & social distancing: all activities will involve careful adherence to cleanliness. Hand sanitiser will be available in many locations and in all land-based vehicles. Social distancing will always be an issue on board vehicles; it would be sensible for you to bring your own face masks and hand sanitiser. We may not fill all seats in a vehicle to allow for social distancing.
• The QLD government approved COVID-19 Safety Plan is in place and all suppliers are Covid Clean accredited.