News & Offers

Fraser Island Celebrates 25 Years as UNESCO World Heritage Listing

 

Fraser Island, the biggest sand island in the world located off Australia’s Queensland Coast and stretching for more than 122km, will celebrate its 25th anniversary of UNESCO World Heritage Listing over the next year.

With rainforests growing out of the sand, ancient dune systems and coloured sand cliffs still evolving, as well as being home to half of the world’s freshwater dune lakes including the iconic Lake McKenzie and Lake Wabby, Fraser Island is the perfect destination for 2018 and beyond as it celebrates this important milestone.

Fraser Island is also steeped in culture being the traditional homeland of the Butchulla people for more than 5,000 years who called K’gari their home after the legendary spirit princess who helped to create the island. The Butchulla people are said to have lived by three rules: What is good for the land comes first, do not touch or take anything that doesn’t belong to you and if you have plenty, you must share. Their heritage is prevalent across the island in archaeological sites, middens, ceremonial bora rings and stone implements.

The island is now a world-class tourist attraction, and often hailed as one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Thanks to its World Heritage status K’gari – which literally translated means paradise – will remain a paradise forever. Visitors who travel to the island can witness the exceptional natural beauty for themselves with a number of panoramic viewpoints including Indian Head and the Cathedrals.

To whet your appetite, there’s also a short video, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2DhJMVdVM4

Mark Bibby Jackson

Mark Bibby Jackson

Before setting up Travel Begins at 40, Mark was the publisher of AsiaLIFE Cambodia and a freelance travel writer. When he is not packing and unpacking his travelling bag, Mark writes novels, including To Cook A Spider and Peppered Justice. He loves walking, eating, tasting beer, isolation and arthouse movies, as well as talking to strangers on planes, buses and trains whenever possible. Most at home when not at home.

Read more posts by Mark Bibby Jackson →

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *