DAY 1 – Welcome day, Coastal Walk, McKenzies Jetty
Walking distance: Around 7 km
Walking time: 2 – 3 hours, Easy
Arrive at the Hervey Bay office reception at 12pm, or a complimentary pick up is available, where you will be greeted by your guides and meet fellow walkers, before travelling to Riverheads to board the 1:00pm barge over to Fraser Island.
Watch for dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs and whales (in season), on your 45min transfer across the beautiful Great Sandy Strait, following the coast of Fraser Island, before arriving at Kingfisher Bay. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your luxury accommodation, at Waiuta Retreat for lunch. After lunch, you will take a short 4wd transfer to a meeting point in the track near the historic site of McKenzies Jetty, where you will begin your adventure with a gentle walk through the forest and along the beautiful beach back to the Kingfisher Bay jetty, as the afternoon sun is setting. Returning to your accommodation, relax with your fellow walkers over some nibbles and a glass, or two of wine. Indulge in a delicious luxury gourmet dinner on the veranda, overlooking the canopy of the national park and water views of the Great Sandy Strait. After dinner, you’ll retire for the evening for a good night’s rest before you embark on the second day of your adventure.
DAY 2 – Lake Garawongera, Valley of the Giants
Walking distance: Around 10 – 12km, 4WD: Around 30 – 40km
Walking time: 6 hours, Easy-Moderate
Wake up in comfort and tranquillity to enjoy a hearty breakfast and a cup of tea/coffee on the verandah before your private 4WD transfer to the northernmost section of the Great Walk, Lake Garawongera and surrounds. While walking keep a keen eye out for the abundant birdlife, echidnas and native flora as the trail weaves through serene forest, to Lake Garawongera. Here you can enjoy a nice refreshing swim in the tea-tree infused lake and enjoy a fully prepared lunch, courtesy of your support guide.
After lunch, you will descend into the Valley of the Giants. Your 4WD transfer will drop you into the Valley of the Giants, where you can enjoy one of two short, stunningly beautiful side-trails. Encounter some of the oldest and largest trees on the island, stands of brush box, satiny trees and rainforest, as well as areas of open forest on one of the side-trails; the Giant Tallowwood (2.6km return) or the Giant Satinay (4.2km return). The serenity interrupted only by the chatter of birds and the whispers of the treetops.
From your afternoon walks you will arrive back to your accommodation, settle in for a well-earned rest, sharing stories of the day over a gourmet evening meals and drinks.
Optional scenic flight, at additional cost, with Air Fraser. Hiking schedule may be reduced if this option is taken.
DAY 3 – Dilli Village, Lake Boomanjin, Lake Benaroon
Walking distance: Around 15km, 4WD: Around 30km
Walking time: 6 hours, Moderate
Ease into your morning in the serenity of the Great Sandy Strait National Park bush sounds, before embarking on your day of exciting walking. The morning begins with a drive along the Eastern Beach to the Great Walk trailhead at Dilli Village, via Stonetool Sandblow. Once at Dilli Village you will follow the boardwalk across the creek where swamp banksia, melaleucas, sedges and coral ferns thrive. Scribbly gum woodland and open forests will lead you to the short ascent to spectacular views from the Wongi Sandblow (optional). You will continue the walkthrough eucalypt forest to reach Lake Boomanjin.
Reward yourself at the end of the walk, while your lunch is prepared, with a quick swim in the largest perched lake in the world, Lake Boomanjin. After lunch stroll along Lake Boomanjin’s north-western beach foreshore up to a ridge that leads through ever-changing landscapes of sand and rainforests, through open woodland, brush box and blackbutt forest descending to Lake Benaroon.
Continue along the lake for a short walk through the forest admiring kauri pines, staghorn, and palm lilies, where your guide will be waiting for you. This afternoon provides another opportunity to relax by the lake and take a refreshing swim.
Returning to your accommodation to reflect on your day, indulge with some wine and cheese platter, from the comfort of the expansive deck. Relax and enjoy a gourmet dinner followed by nightly spectacular of the star-filled skies. Don’t forget to wish upon that falling star, though your wish may have already come true, here on the Great Walk Fraser Island!
DAY 4 – Lake McKenzie, Basin Lake, Pile Valley
Walking distance: Around 10km, 4WD: Around 20km
Walking time: 3.5/4 hours, Moderate
Awake from a restful nights sleep to a delectable breakfast before setting out for a day of spectacular highlights. Today your walk begins near Pile Valley along the Great Walk track, where you will walk through mesmerising rainforest into the Pile Valley. From here you will cross the bridge over the crystal clear waters of Wanggoolba Creek, ascending through diverse forests before reaching Central Station. Here you will have a well-deserved prepared lunch.
After lunch you will embark on your walk into Lake McKenzie. Along the way you will be able to stop off at Basin Lake and have a refreshing swim, before continuing through blackbutt forests to Lake McKenzie; one of Fraser Island’s and Australia’s most popular and iconic destinations. When you arrive immerse yourself in the white sand beach and crystal clear blue water, of such beauty that needs to be seen to be believed. Your day will conclude where your journey began, your guide will transfer you back to Kingfisher Bay where you can enjoy a relaxing drink on the beach as the sun sets. The barge returns you back across the Great Sandy Strait to the mainland, giving you time to enjoy and reflect on your Fraser Island Great Walk journey.
Itinerary, distances and times outlined are rough estimates and a guide only. These are subject to change and may depend on group and walking speed and track access. If in the unlikely event of an itinerary change, any forced alternate routes will be a similarly spectacular itinerary. Fortunately Fraser Island has an abundance of stunning scenery to visit!
