There are many beautiful lakes on Fraser Island that we recommend exploring on your next trip!
LAKE WABBY
The hike access trail is located 4.3km North of Eurong near One Tree Rocks camping area, or about 20 mins south of Happy Valley. It is a popular tourist spot so there are likely to be buses or tag-a-long vehicles parked near the dunes, making it easy to identify the entrance. Lake Wabby is 2.4km from the carpark and will take 40 minutes to walk in.
Lake Wabby is relatively close to the ocean side of Fraser Island and unlike the other lakes, it supports several varieties of fish. It is known as both a window lake and a barrage lake. Window lakes form when the ground level falls below the water table. Barrage lakes form when a sand blow blocks the waters of a natural spring. This phenomenon is easy to see at Lake Wabby.
On one side its deep green waters are bordered by a giant sand dune that is slowly moving into the lake. In a century or so, the sand dune’s inexorable march westward across Fraser Island will see it completely swallow the lake.
BASIN LAKE
For a secluded and unique experience, follow the walking track from Central Station to the perched dune Basin Lake. It is only accessed on foot, and if you make the journey, you are likely to have the lake all to yourself.
The 30 – 40 minute walk to Fraser Island’s Basin Lake passes through a rainforest. It is an easy walk and very rewarding.
LAKE MACKENZIE
Popular among tourists and sunbathers, Lake McKenzie is another of the island’s perched dune freshwater lakes. What sets it apart among other lakes is its sugary white sand and clear, sparkling blue waters, which, beautiful as they may seem, do not encourage the development of aquatic life.
LAKE BIRRABEEN
While better known, Lake McKenzie is often very crowded. A good alternative, equally distanced from Eurong and Central Station, is Lake Birrabeen. Also a perched dune lake, Lake Birrabeen is great when you want to take a swim and avoid the crowds of sunbathers and tourists at Lake McKenzie.
LAKE GARRAWONGERA
Take the road west of Happy Valley and follow the sign to Lake Garrawongera. It is 7.7km to the lake and the drive takes about 30 minutes. It is another of the perched dune lakes, but unlike Lake Mackenzie, it is lined with tea trees so has water the colour of tea. If you are up for a hike, there is a good walking track in to the lake (about 7km) that takes about 1.5 hours each way. This is part of Fraser Island’s Great Walk and begins at the dingo fence.