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Queensland specific bushwalking discussion.

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Queensland specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.
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Hike on Fraser Island

Sun 16 Jul, 2023 8:25 pm

Hello,
I will spend one day on Fraser Island starting from River Heads this August.
I am planning to arrive at Kingfisher Bay with the first ferry in the morning (6.45 am), walk both ways to lake Mc Kenzie and take the ferry back (5 pm), which should be around 24 km.
Does this sound realistic to you and is there better/safer options for a one-day hike on the island ?

Re: Hike on Fraser Island

Mon 17 Jul, 2023 12:11 pm

I get different results from different sites.

This site says 20km, 5.5hr return: trailhiking.com.au/hikes/kingfisher-bay-resort-lake-mckenzie-return-route-1/#:~:text=Kingfisher%20Bay%20Resort%20%2D%20Lake%20McKenzie%20is%20a%2020km%2C%20grade%203,around%205%20hrs%20to%20complete.

The Parks Qld site seems to say 13.8km oneway is 5.5hrs: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/kgar ... ing%20time.

Contact Kingfisher Resort for the best local info

Re: Hike on Fraser Island

Mon 17 Jul, 2023 7:16 pm

It's a fine walk. I'm not sure it's super interesting. We did it as part of a partial "great walk" and it was easy. The lake is a bit "instafamous" so when you get there it will be stuffed with backpackers on tours and 4WD people. Honestly, I think Central Station, Wangoollba Creek and Pile Valley is more interesting.

Safety is a personal concept. There have been some dingo attacks lately but those are still the exception not the rule. Australia is by and large, venomous snakes, spiders and box jellyfish notwithstanding a very safe country.

Re: Hike on Fraser Island

Tue 18 Jul, 2023 3:39 pm

sandym wrote:Safety is a personal concept. There have been some dingo attacks lately but those are still the exception not the rule. Australia is by and large, venomous snakes, spiders and box jellyfish notwithstanding a very safe country.


When I did the walk back in '06/'07 I twice saw people feed dingoes. This is the problem. One even let their small child feed one. I have been waiting for the attacks to start... :/

Re: Hike on Fraser Island

Tue 18 Jul, 2023 4:43 pm

Thank you very much for your answer. The other options sound indeed more interesting. For a one-day hike, should I rather take the ferry arriving at Wangoollba Creek and walk up to central station from there ?


sandym wrote:It's a fine walk. I'm not sure it's super interesting. We did it as part of a partial "great walk" and it was easy. The lake is a bit "instafamous" so when you get there it will be stuffed with backpackers on tours and 4WD people. Honestly, I think Central Station, Wangoollba Creek and Pile Valley is more interesting.

Safety is a personal concept. There have been some dingo attacks lately but those are still the exception not the rule. Australia is by and large, venomous snakes, spiders and box jellyfish notwithstanding a very safe country.

Re: Hike on Fraser Island

Tue 18 Jul, 2023 5:24 pm

Sounds a better option to me but YMMV.
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