Stretching over 123 kilometres along the southern coast of Queensland, Fraser Island (184,000 hectares) is the largest sand island in the world, and was inscribed on the World Heritage List:

"in recognition of its natural values as an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes and as an example of superlative natural phenomena ".

The island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, its majestic tall rainforests and numerous freshwater lakes of crystal clear waters.

A surprising variety of vegetation types grow on the island, ranging from coastal heath to subtropical rainforests. It is the only place in the world where tall rainforests are found growing on sand dunes at elevations of over 200 metres.

Called K'gari by its Aboriginal inhabitants, the island shows evidence of Aboriginal occupation of at least 5,000 years, although it is possible that further archaeological work may reveal evidence of earlier occupation.

For more information on Fraser Island visit www.fraserisland.net.