According to the Dreamtime legend of the Butchulla people, Fraser Island was named K’gari after the beautiful spirit who helped Yindingie, messenger of the great god Beeral create the land. Beeral rewarded K’gari by changing her into an idyllic island with beautiful trees, lakes and flowers and gave her birds, animals and people to keep her company. K’gari means paradise. This is Fraser Island.
When Fraser Island was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Listing in 1992, the citation paid tribute to the island’s “exceptional natural beauty” and “an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes and as an example of superlative natural phenomena”.
Unique doesn’t even come close to describing Fraser. The mighty rainforests growing in sand, the crystal clear freshwater lakes, towering coloured sand cliffs and endless whiter than white beaches.
As you first arrive at Kingfisher Bay Resort, it is hard to determine where the resort actually is. From the jetty you can detect some of the eco-friendly native timber buildings that seemingly blend into the dense Australian bush.
The resort first opened in 1992. It is remarkably serene, quiet and still except for the occasional kookaburra or rustle in the undergrowth. The landscaping cleverly mirrors the native vegetation ensuring the continual regeneration of both flora and fauna. Fraser boasts a number of species of both plants and animals that are unique to the island.
Designed to minimise impact on the island’s natural environment, clever systems have been utilised to minimise waste, conserve energy. Extensive recycling programs, gathering waste paper and kitchen scraps for composting the resort’s restaurant herb gardens and worm farms utilising sewage sludge are just part of the resort’s ongoing environmental management.
Kingfisher Bay Resort is ideal for a short break or a week or more with so much to do and so much to see. This is an adventure holiday destination suitable for all ages with experiences for wildlife warriors, kids and everyone in-between. Rooms have been built with relaxation in mind. Super comfy beds and showers designed to ease muscles and wind you down after an action-packed day.
The large balconies take you into the bush cocooning you so that you feel you’re the only humans on the island. It is stunningly quiet with just the occasional kookaburra laugh or rustle in the undergrowth breaking the silence.
There are currently 2 dining options at Kingfisher Bay Resort. (Sand Bar Bistro is currently closed for renovations and will re-open shortly). Maheno is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with casual snacks in between. Bush-tucker inspired Seabelle is the resort’s signature restaurant. Herbs and garnishes are grown at the resort’s nursery but it is the native ingredients that make dining here special.
The Jetty is the very best spot for a ‘sunset’ at sunset. Grab your special someone and enjoy a quiet tipple and maybe a cheese platter as the sun slowly lowers over the Sandy Strait.
Kingfisher Bay Resort is less of a bucket-list destination and more of ‘what are you waiting for?’ There is no better place to whale watch with tours aboard Quick Cat II departing daily until October 31 and the occasional friendly humpback turning up at the Jetty. (More on that later).
Fraser Island is more than unique – it’s irreplaceable and Kingfisher Bay Resort’s unique eco conscience will keep it that way for generations to come. http://www.kingfisherbay.com
TML were guests of Kingfisher Bay Resort
All images were captured by the new Nikon 1 V3. Visit MyNikonLife here.
