The best camping in Fraser Island

Set inland, 20 minutes west of Eurong Beach Resort, and surrounded by rainforest, campers staying in Central Station can have a great walk along the banks of the freshwater Wanggoolba Creek and through the lush rainforest. Flora and fauna you may come across include the rare king fern Angiopteris evecta, which has the largest fern fronds in the world, as well as turtles and eels, and you’ll also be within easy access of Lake McKenzie, a popular swimming spot. The camping area, typically one of the island’s busiest, is surrounded by dingo-deterrent fence.

On the island’s northeast coast, Waddy Point offers both beachfront (unfenced) and inland (fenced) camping areas with coin-operated hot showers and picnic tables, as well as capacity for camper trailers. Making Waddy Point your base puts you within easy access of some of the island’s top attractions, including the coastal headland of Indian Head (a good spot for watching dolphins and whales) and the rock pools filled with bubbling water known as the Champagne Pools. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and hiking.

Dundubara is located in the middle of the 75-Mile Beach scenic drive on the east coast, halfway between Indian Head and the rusting S.S. Maheno shipwreck, which ran aground in 1935. You’re also within easy reach of Eli Creek, a popular freshwater swimming spot with a long boardwalk. Camping is available in a large fenced-in area behind great sand dunes and it's one of the few camping sites on the island that allows campfires.

Along the Southern Lakes scenic drive, the distinctly red-hued Lake Boomanjin offers a peaceful setting and opportunities for swimming and kayaking. The secluded lake is typically far less visited than Lake McKenzie, the island’s other famed perched lake. You can camp right by the lake at the fenced-in camping area with picnic tables and surrounded by forest: note that it is walk-in camping only, so there's no vehicle access to the tent sites.