The ultimate K'gari accommodation guide

Let these dreamy island accommodation options tempt you into a stay on K’gari.

Straight stretches of beach off into the horizon, crystal clear lakes, white silica sand, beautiful wildlife, mangrove systems, rainforests: it’s all just part of what you’ll discover on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island). While it is possible to ferry or fly over for just a day trip, it would truly be a waste not to spend several days exploring the world’s largest sand island. So understanding K’gari accommodation options is essential.

Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the natural surrounds, go on an adventure or indulge in a little luxury, this is the guide for you.

1. Kingfisher Bay Resort

Kingfisher Bay Resort Lobby — Choose from three different room types. (Image: TEQ)

You’d be hard-pressed to find accommodation with a more idyllic setting than Kingfisher Bay Resort. Nestled on the edge of World Heritage-listed K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), it’s got everything you need to make this remote island feel connected.

BYO four-wheel-drive for unscheduled adventures of the world’s largest sand island (the scale of which is hard to comprehend until you’re there). Zip around the island’s unbelievably scenic freshwater wild swimming spots, catch sight of dingoes, wander into forest groves and adventure over sand dunes. No 4WD? No problem. Discover a huge range of Kingfisher Bay Resorts tours and events – truly its crowning glory.

Discover all room types, facilities and dining options at our complete Kingfisher Bay Resort review.

2. K’gari Beach Houses

Australians are relentlessly drawn to the nostalgic joy that accompanies a stay in a good old-fashioned beach house. And K’gari Beach Houses add a healthy dose of understated luxury to your accommodation daydream.

The two- and three-bedroom units are surrounded by native trees and flowers are designed with families in mind. The generously sized units deliver a laidback option for those in search of a perfect beachside getaway. Think white-painted walls, open-plan living spaces, and glorious ocean views from the verandah.

Outside, play a family game of cricket or football on the front lawn. Watch the sunrise over the ocean, swim in the pool, take in the stars on a clear night or dine al fresco on provided picnic tables.

3. K’gari Beach Resort

the pool at k'gari beach resort — K’gari Beach Resort just might be the ultimate beach getaway. (Image: TEQ)

This charming beachside resort is another heavy-hitter on K’gari thanks to its close proximity to 75 Mile Beach. The remote K’gari Beach Resort is a hotel, pub, restaurant and bakery all in one. Plus, it’s home to some of the best doughnuts in the state.

Formerly known as Eurong Beach Resort, the resort is only accessible by 4WD – like much of the island – making it a rather peaceful place to be year-round, especially during off-peak season. Enjoy stunning beach views, explore K’gari’s 4WD tracks, try your luck at fishing and spot some of the local wildlife.

The two- and three-bedroom units are surrounded by native trees and flowers, and are designed with families in mind. The generously sized units deliver a laidback option for those in search of a perfect beachside getaway. Think white-painted walls, open-plan living spaces, and glorious ocean views from the verandah.

4. Kokomo at Kingfisher Bay

If you’re after that picture-perfect beachside retreat – complete with views of bleached white sand and an immense rainforest backdrop – look no further than Kingfisher Bay’s Kokomo .

The old timber house sleeps 10 and is set under shady coconut palms on private grounds with direct access to the shore of the bay. The interior has been redecorated in a pristine provincial boathouse style, complete with a massive covered veranda, hot outdoor shower, bamboo benchtop surrounded by flower gardens and hammocks slung in cool, quiet corners.

There are four swimming pools on-site to be enjoyed alongside a visit to the day spa, tennis courts or one of three restaurants.

5. Camping

person with 4wd camping on a k'gari beach — Beach camping is a popular camping option for K’gari. (Image: Tyson Mayr/ TEQ)

There are 45 camping areas to choose from on K’gari, each one as blissfully picturesque as the next. The best camping site for you will depend on what you’re looking for from your adventure. Do you want to be close to amenities? Close to the beach? Sleep in total solitude? Wake up to world-class sunrises? Go fishing all day?

Lucky for you, we have a comprehensive guide to camping on K’gari here.

6. Holiday rentals

interior of Orchid Blue holiday rental on K'gari fraser island — Book a holiday home like Orchid Blue for larger groups. (Image: Stayz)

Want something between hotels and camping? There are a surprising number of holiday rentals – many operated by Kingfisher Bay Resort – on the island to provide a slice of your own on K’gari.

Discover nature stays surrounded by rainforest in the centre of the island, like Satinay Villa – two-bedroom villas blending privacy with space for groups. Or stay beachside, with a range of options in Kingfisher Bay, Eurong and Orchid Beach. The striking Orchid Blue is nestled into the eastern slope of Orchid Beach, and sleeps a whopping 20 people — all right next to the ocean, a convenience store, petrol station and local bar .

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

The ultimate K’gari accommodation guide