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 .

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

The ultimate K’gari accommodation guide