Location and size
K'gari is the Country of the Butchulla people. Their lands extend to the adjacent mainland, from around Double Island Point in the south to the mouth of the Burrum River in the north, and west to Bauple Mountain, all situated along the southeast coast of Queensland, Australia.
The World Heritage site covers 181,851 hectares and includes the island and several small islands off its west coast. The site’s boundary extends 500 m seaward from the high-water mark around K’gari and the smaller islands.
Most of the World Heritage site is in the Great Sandy National Park (K’gari section).
- All the marine area is within the Great Sandy Marine Park.
- A small portion of the World Heritage site occurs on other tenures, including freehold land.
Management requirements seek to ensure that we maintain World Heritage values across all tenures.
A unique natural environment
In 1992, K'gari (Fraser Island) was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
It is the world’s largest sand island, offering an outstanding example of ongoing biological, hydrological and geomorphological processes.
The natural phenomena of K’gari include:
- the development of rainforest vegetation on coastal dune systems at a unique scale
- the world’s largest unconfined aquifer on a sand island
- half of the world’s perched freshwater dune lakes.
K’gari also has exceptional natural beauty with:
- more than 250 km of clear sandy beaches
- long, uninterrupted sweeps of ocean beach
- strikingly coloured sand cliffs
- spectacular blowouts.
Cultural values
Although it is not currently World Heritage listed for its cultural values, K’gari embodies a rich cultural landscape. The island’s natural features are described in the Butchulla people’s creation story and hold significant meaning.
