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12 weird and wonderful things to know about Lake McKenzie

Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
Prepare to be amazed by nature all over again.

It might be one of Queensland’s most famous places to swim, but just how much do you actually know about the unusual and beautiful Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie? Read below to find out more about the coastal lake – one of the best things to do on K’gari.

1. It’s a perched lake

aerial shot of Lake McKenzie on k'gari fraser island
Lake McKenzie is all rainwater. (Image: TEQ)

The surreal beauty of Boorangoora, also known as Lake McKenzie, is in part due to it being a perched lake. A perched lake forms when an impermeable layer forms underground, meaning rainwater gathers at the surface in depressions in the sand dunes without running away. Conditions like this, and … voila! You have yourself a perched lake.

Other features of perched lakes like this that are found along the Queensland coast include their lack of groundwater and the fact that they aren’t fed by streams or flow into the ocean. And while Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie isn’t the only coastal dune lake, we’re willing to bet our bottom dollar that it is the most famous.

2. The sand is pure silica

friends relax on the white sand at Lake McKenzie
The white sand is synonymous with Lake McKenzie. (Image: TEQ)

The sand at this always photo-ready lake is actually made out of silica, which in itself is mostly made out of broken-down quartz. The 98 per cent silica content is one of the reasons that the sand is so soft, silky and white here.

3. The waters really are that crystal clear

family playing in lake mckenzie on k'garu fraser island
The waters are impossibly clear. (Image: Courtney Atkinson)

No, the superb aquamarine of the water isn’t the result of some crafty photoshopper. It really does look like that!

The sand acts as a filter for the rainwater that falls here, meaning extra-pure water can be found here to bathe in. And let’s keep it that way, people! While we’ve all had ‘Slip, slop, slap’ drilled into our deep unconscious, sunscreen, as well as other lotions and soaps, that wash off swimmers and into the waters can have a seriously bad impact on the lake’s ecosystem.

4. It is an important place of contemplation for the Butchella peoples

the boardwalk leading to an empty Lake McKenzie
It’s as culturally significant as it is beautiful. (Image: TEQ)

The island of K’gari has a rich and long Indigenous history, which started an estimated 5000 to 20,0000 years before Europeans arrived.

The lake, which the locals named Boorangoora, has a particularly special place in the stories of the local Butchella peoples. In their stories, the island K’gari was named after a spirit who assisted Yindingie, the messenger of the god Beeral. As a reward for her help, Beeral turned her into a lovely island. And what is the lake’s place in the legend? The deep-blue lake of Boorangoora is one of her eyes.

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5. Lake McKenzie is only six metres deep

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

The lake has an average depth of around six metres. And you don’t just have to stick to snorkelling here to enjoy it. Bring a kayak to explore the balmy waters, or bring pool floaties for the kids (and you) to play with.

6. There is no marine life

group of friends swimming in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
Only humans swim here. (Image: Sean Scott)

Oddly enough, there is no animal life in the lake. While the acidity level of the lake only makes the water that much purer and cleaner, it discourages any marine life. (And yes, that does include crocodiles and sharks).

7. Expect a warm dip

man swimming in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
Stay all day in the warm waters. (Image: Sean Scott)

The water at Boorangoora is a balmy 23 degrees, making for the perfect ‘just right’ conditions to take a dip.

8. It’s easier to reach Lake McKenzie than you might think

a woman walks down the wooden stairs to Lake McKenzie
There are plenty of ways to get to Lake McKenzie. (Image: TEQ)

The lake is inland in the southern part of the island. Once you’ve reached Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie, the lake itself is relatively easy to access, with a nearby car park for your 4WD, or the bus if you’re on a group tour of K’gari.

9. A trip here can make for a veritable spa day

man walks in water while woman relaxes under a beach umbrella in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
Relax in nature’s day spa. (Image: Sean Scott)

Skin feeling dry after days spent camping? The super-soft silica sand could be the much-needed exfoliating treatment for your flaky skin. Just do a patch test first to see if it suits your skin type. Plus, the slightly acidic pH of the water can also be beneficial for your skin, as well as your hair.

Top all this with a meditation in the shade of the surrounding bushland and you’ll be feeling even more zen on your Fraser Island adventure.

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10. You can cook up a snag while you’re here

kids playing with a frisbee in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
East, stay and play. (Image: Courtney Atkinson)

It’s no surprise to anyone that a good swim can work up an appetite. The good news though is that the lake has both barbeque and picnic facilities. The picnic area is accessible by wheelchair and has toilets. Hot tip: Get there early to nab a spot for barbequing, and be careful about leaving food out that could attract dingoes (also known as wongari).

11. You can pitch a tent here

woman under beach umbrella as couple walk by in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
Set up an umbrella, or a tent. (Image: Sean Scott)

Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie walker’s camp is an ideal spot to rest for the night if you’re doing either the Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie circuit or the K’gari Great Walk. While the facilities are pretty basic, with not much more than toilets and picnic facilities, a kip here does mean you have crowd-free access to Boorangoora/Lake McKenzie first thing in the morning and last thing at night. No wonder it’s one of our favourite spots to camp on the island.

12. It’s not the only spot to swim on K’gari

aerial of Lake Wabby & Hammerstone Sand Blow on k'gari fraser island
Explore the island’s best swimming spots. (Image: TEQ)

While we are in no way saying you shouldn’t stop at this iconic lake, you shouldn’t make it your only H20 destination while visiting K’gari. Lake Wabby, Lake Boomajin and Eli Creek are just some of the spots that should also make your list of safe, freshwater swimming places to stop by. (We’ve rounded up some of our favourite K’gari swimming spots for you here.)

Tempted to take an ocean dip? Don’t. The rips and strong currents off the island are notorious, as is the presence of sharks, deadly stingers and – on rare occasions – saltwater crocodiles.

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Kate Bettes
Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.
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7 wellness experiences on Hamilton Island for complete rejuvenation

(Credit: Riley Williams)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    Conjuring calm and active adventure in equal measure, Hamilton Island is a tropical tonic for body and mind.

    Hamilton Island knows a thing or two about indulgence. There are long lunches to linger over, seafood towers to savour and poolside loungers designed for guilt-free idling. But for health-minded travellers wanting to feel energised inside and out, this sliver of the Whitsundays takes wellbeing just as seriously. Think yoga mats rolling out at dawn, kayaks skimming turquoise water, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and spa therapists working tropical magic. These Hamilton Island wellness experiences promise to restore, rebalance and leave you feeling brand new.

    1. E-Mountain biking

    mountain bikers on Hamilton Island wellness
    Follow Hamilton Island’s mountian biking trails. (Credit: Harry Gruttner)

    For travellers with an appetite for adrenaline, Hamilton Island’s new self-guided e-mountain biking experience is worth carving out a morning for. Start at HI Trails HQ, where you’ll be fitted with a full-suspension, pedal-assisted e-mountain bike and given a run-through of a nine-kilometre section of the island’s 25-kilometre trail network. The electric boost makes the ride more accessible (and the climbs more manageable), though an intermediate level of fitness is still recommended.

    As a first-time mountain biker, I start off wobbly – taking my time to get used to switching gears and electric modes – and wonder if I’ve overestimated my coordination. But soon something clicks. Suddenly we’re zooming through pockets of eucalyptus and out onto ridgelines with sweeping views of electric blue waters, catching our breath at hidden bays with barely another soul in sight. More than 70 per cent of the island remains untouched, so witnessing these lesser-explored pockets feels like a blessing. It’s the kind of adventure that leaves you buzzing, accomplished and blissfully tired out.

    2. HI Fitness Club

    HI Fitness Club reformer pilates
    Stretch out with reformer pilates.

    If mountain biking isn’t quite your speed, there are plenty of other ways to stay active on the island. One of the newest Hamilton Island wellness experiences, HI Fitness Club now has 24-hour access, offering a fully equipped modern gym, group classes spanning HIIT to yoga, plus two bubbling spas and a sauna waiting to loosen sore muscles.

    I drop in for a Reformer Pilates class. Each of the four machines has its own mini screen with a wide selection of high-quality virtual classes, meaning I can select one that suits my level and mood that day. Beyond Pilates, the virtual library is like a choose-your-own adventure for fitness enthusiasts: dance, Body Pump, Body Combat and GRIT Cardio are among the options. Or perhaps challenge a family member or friend to a hit of tennis at one of the three courts.

    3. Walking trails

    runners on hamilton island
    Get the blood pumping on a morning run.

    We set out early. By 6:45am, we’re halfway up Passage Peak, the highest point on Hamilton Island and widely considered its most impressive vantage point. From the Scenic Trail Entrance, the viewing platform takes around an hour to reach by foot, with moderate inclines that will get your heart pumping without feeling too punishing. The payoff at the top is immediate. Bush-clad Whitsundays islands scatter across the horizon in every direction, the sunrise brushing the scene with soft melon and gold tones. I take my time soaking up the 360° panorama, remembering how powerful an active start in nature can be for clearing the mind and energising the day ahead.

    While Passage Peak is one of the most popular hikes on Hamilton Island, Flat Top Hill Lookout and the longer Southeast Head Trail are also excellent choices.

    4. Spa wumurdaylin

    Spa Wumurdaylin on hamilton island wellness experiences
    Feel your worries melt away at Spa wumurdaylin.

    In a tranquil treatment room at Spa wumurdaylin, the world disappears. The space is all brown stone tiles, bamboo racks and lush garden views, setting the tone for my Soul Temple treatment. My therapist, Kass, begins with a full-body, exfoliating orange buff sugar scrub that feels divine. Next comes the vertical Vichy shower and underwater massage to knead out muscle knots. The sound of cascading water is reminiscent of a tropical rainstorm, and stress becomes a distant memory.

    It’s a prime example of the transportive power of the island’s spa, where guests can come to reset the mind and loosen tension in the body. The menu spans radiance facials to deep release rituals and mud wraps, all using products from pH-balanced skincare brand LaGaia Unedited. Concluding with herbal tea, I leave in a blissful daze.

    5. Sunrise yoga

    sunrise yoga session at the sundays on hamilton island wellness experiences
    Start your day on the right foot.

    Morning movement doesn’t get more surreal than sunrise yoga on The Sundays’ seaside terrace. As we roll out our mats, morning light spills across Catseye Beach below, turning the water into a sheet of molten gold. But the setting only does half the healing. I match my breath to the rhythm of the waves and feel my body gradually lengthen and wake as instructor Tyla Rae guides us through a slow, mindful flow.

    Available exclusively to guests of The Sundays, this session captures the spirit of wellness on Hamilton Island – immersion in nature, slowing down by the sea, recalibrating both body and mind. To round out the experience, the perfect ocean cool-off awaits just steps away.

    6. Getting out on the water

    people on sup boards at the sundays hamilton island
    Try your hand at a host of watersports.

    Speaking of ocean delights, Catseye Beach’s host of watersports delivers spades of fun and rejuvenation. Glide over the crystalline water in a kayak, test your sailing skills in a mini catamaran, spot schools of fish (and a turtle if you’re lucky) from a stand-up paddleboard, or slip into an underwater wonderland when you snorkel off the beach.

    Out here, the water is so clear it feels like floating in glass, and the green silhouettes of the Whitsunday Islands rise on the horizon. Half an hour on the water here is all you need to reset your entire mood.

    Guests staying at qualia, Beach Club, The Sundays, Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and Hamilton Island Holiday Homes have complimentary access to all these water activities, making it easy to dive right in.

    7. Take a swing

    Dent Island Golf course
    Enjoy incredible views with a swing of golf.

    For others, mindfulness comes from calm concentration – and golf fits the bill to a tee. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, Hamilton Island Golf Club is perched along the scenic ridges of Dent Island. It’s Australia’s only golf course on its own island, making it one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. The experience is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, with spectator bookings also available for those simply wishing to take in the views. Follow the game with a well-earned lunch at the Clubhouse restaurant.

    Find out more ways to unwind in the Whitsundays at hamiltonisland.com.au.