tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91418896094887096452024-03-06T16:38:22.427+10:00Kingfisher Bay Resort And Fraser IslandOur Resort Ranger team from Kingfisher Bay chat about all things wild and wonderful in the animal kingdom on the world's largest sand island - Fraser Island.Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-85043210927725843962016-12-22T15:35:00.001+10:002016-12-22T15:52:03.785+10:00Festive fun on Fraser Island<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun is out, the sea breeze is refreshing and the island’s lakes are as enticing as ever- it’s that magical time of the year where festive cheer fills the air on Fraser Island.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you’re keen for a game of beach cricket, you’re ready to <a href="http://www.fraserexplorertours.com.au/" target="_blank">explore Fraser Island’s incredible natural environment</a> or you’re in the mood to kick back, relax and unwind -there’s plenty of fun to for the whole family on Fraser this festive season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">School aged visitors will get the chance to join our rangers for beach activities, fishing frenzies, night walks, campfires and more as part of our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/images/brochures/JER.pdf" target="_blank">Junior Eco Ranger program</a> running right through the school holidays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s plenty to keep the ‘big kids’ busy too- get out on the water on our stand up paddle boards or canoes, join in <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-archery.html" target="_blank">ranger-guided archery sessions</a>, explore the western beach on a <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/segway-adventures.html" target="_blank">guided Segway tour</a> or take to the mock bushland battlefield and put your <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/laser-skirmish.html" target="_blank">laser skirmish skills</a> to the ultimate test. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If your idea of the perfect island holiday is a bit more laid back, Kingfisher Bay Resort is the ultimate relaxation destination with four swimming pools, three restaurants, four bars and an incredible <a href="http://www.fraserislandspa.com.au/" target="_blank">Island Day Spa</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the sun dips below the horizon, there’s nowhere better to kick back with a cold drink than our aptly-named <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/jetty-hut.html" target="_blank">Sunset Bar </a>and when it comes to deciding where to dine there’s plenty of festive fare to enjoy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To officially kick off the silly season, <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/maheno-restaurant.html" target="_blank">Maheno Restaurant</a> will be combining traditional hearty dishes with a sensational seafood buffet, live entertainment and poolside cocktails during weekends in the lead up to Christmas, while our award-winning chefs in <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/seabelle-restaurant.html" target="_blank">Seabelle Restaurant</a> will be using native Australian fruits, spices, berries and herbs to create their bush-tucker menu. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/christmas-day.html" target="_blank">Christmas Lunch at Kingfisher Bay Resort</a> will be decked out with all the trimmings including succulent ham, delicious roasts and fresh seafood and- best of all- no washing up! The big guy in the red suit is even tipped to make an appearance to mix and mingle with guests during the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So if you’re ready to swap sleigh bells for sunglasses and snow for silica sand, get ready to enjoy the ultimate beach Christmas on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. And if you believe that after a busy year you deserve a little time out with friends and family then check our<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/hot-deals.html" target="_blank"> fantastic summer deal.</a></span><br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-18668133354044932982016-10-19T10:18:00.000+10:002016-10-19T17:54:42.416+10:00Top five reasons to take a family break on Fraser Island <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner! That glorious time of year where work meetings make way for </span><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/christmas-parties.html" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Christmas parties</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and school uniforms are traded in for swimmers and thongs. The boogie boards are dusted off and howls "got him" fill the air as beach cricket swings into full season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're looking for the ultimate kid's club, multiple swimming pools, incredible natural surroundings and action-packed activities then here's 10 reasons why you can't go past Kingfisher Bay Resort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Parents love us! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With an <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/seabelle-restaurant.html" target="_blank">award-winning restaurant</a>, a wide selection of dining choices, three swimming pools, <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-accommodation/kingfisher-bay-resort/natural-therapy.html" target="_blank">a brand new Day Spa</a> and heaps of<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities.html" target="_blank"> family-friendly activities</a>, it's easy to see why Kingfisher Bay Resort was recently named in the Top 10 Resorts for Families by Holidays with Kids Magazine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Junior Eco Rangers can learn and explore </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our resort Rangers have been busy planning a school holiday
bonanza jam packed full of games and activities for the whole family to
enjoy. School-aged visitors can join our
Rangers and take part in activities including fishing frenzies, scavenger hunts, Christmas
craft, marine discovery, night walk adventures, campfires with marshmallows,
beach games and more as part of our Junior Eco Ranger holiday program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Running throughout the school holidays (excluding Christmas
Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) the program hosts activities through
morning and evening sessions with lunch and dinner included. We’ve also got
extra special <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/christmas-day.html" target="_blank">Christmas</a> movie nights on Christmas Eve and awesome activities
lined up through the night on New Year’s Eve to ring in the New Year on Fraser
Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Big kids' are never "bored"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If your kids' are a little old for "kids club", there's plenty of awesome adrenaline activities on offer that are heaps of fun for the whole family. From Laser Skirmish sessions on a mock battlefield in the bush-covered dunes of Fraser Island, to Ranger-guided night walks, archery sessions and Segway tours- there's something for everyone to enjoy and new and exciting activities to try. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. There's room for the whole family</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a range of self-contained villas, resort hotel rooms and private houses available, there's plenty of accommodation options to suit families of sizes, giving you plenty of space to relax and enjoy your holiday. Easy access to all the resort facilities means families can wander down and relax by the pool, or enjoy a delicious meal. You'll have all the creature comforts of home, while being nestled amongst the incredible natural surroundings of a World Heritage-listed island. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5.Our backyard is yours to explore</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With more than 100 freshwater lakes, endless golden beaches, cool freshwater creeks, a famous shipwreck and pristine rainforest to explore, there's nowhere else in the world quite like Fraser Island and with 1500 kilometres of sandy tracks you can choose your own adventure. If you're after a guide to show you around, there are <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/fraser-island-tours/beauty-spots-tour.html" target="_blank">4WD Island tours</a> available with meals included, so all you have to do is sit back, take in the scenery and capture some amazing pictures along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So if you're longing for a lazy summer break as the year winds down, or you're ready to take off on the ultimate school holiday adventure, there's nowhere better than Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. </span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-89774621034053571892016-08-19T15:38:00.001+10:002016-08-19T15:41:30.236+10:00Want to stay where the humpbacks play? Why the whales Fraser Island<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Southern Humpback whales have returned to the waters of
the Fraser Coast and this year, they are ready to party! After greeting
visitors with plenty of breaches and tail slaps, these curious and intelligent
creatures were keen to do some “people watching” getting right up close with
the Quick Cat Cruise boats.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baby whale calf playing the protected walkers of the Fraser Coast</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So why are some pods of whales more “active” than others?
Just like us humans, it often comes down to what stage the whales are at in
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Mother whales will mate in the warm waters of Queensland towards the end of
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqsiIDZz3tmiMChIBWwhuOCR0TvW_6v0E6T-ER33zUfV2wYokr4S4o4ma6CjA6GMZi2HlUQksJ9Rof9Kbof0nl4s3pEpep2AGZaF3s_Zeg9bP9ZctYASsmNay-ZvV8-icJdfzjrcevLYL/s1600/_DSC8134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqsiIDZz3tmiMChIBWwhuOCR0TvW_6v0E6T-ER33zUfV2wYokr4S4o4ma6CjA6GMZi2HlUQksJ9Rof9Kbof0nl4s3pEpep2AGZaF3s_Zeg9bP9ZctYASsmNay-ZvV8-icJdfzjrcevLYL/s320/_DSC8134.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A whale calf typically weighs 1.5 tonnes and are just over 4
metres in length when they are born. Newborn calves will stay with their mother
to feed and learn the ropes for roughly one year before venturing off to join a
juvenile pod for a migration at around two to three years old. Traditionally a
full adult whale will escort a mother whale and her calf back down along the
Australian cost to Antarctica. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time whales join a pod of juveniles they are roughly
six to seven metres in length and full of energy and curiosity (imagine whales
on schoolies). They are usually some of
the first pods in the migration and, at times, can get lost along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht972QpNK8TYmWIuZQHhn2xzcTappIiO5C7VvZiOKgZ-NI6jBc3QqKf9K9LpEBChgbGDOHnObiTIEsg-ol-tQ6KBb0nJrWd1kwBuWfKngePIotP1bTNkccPAN2nEAJpiN0_Scvs_NNStY5/s1600/_DSC8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht972QpNK8TYmWIuZQHhn2xzcTappIiO5C7VvZiOKgZ-NI6jBc3QqKf9K9LpEBChgbGDOHnObiTIEsg-ol-tQ6KBb0nJrWd1kwBuWfKngePIotP1bTNkccPAN2nEAJpiN0_Scvs_NNStY5/s400/_DSC8926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juvenile whales play in the waters off Fraser Island </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A pod of whales is usually two or three, and they can often
meet up in the waters off Fraser Island where five or six whales may be in
close proximity to each other. In some cases, such as Migaloo the white whale,
a pod can actually just be one whale. But generally they travel in pods of two
or three. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last, but definitely not least, are the big bulls – the full
grown adult male whales which can grow up to 14.5 metres in length and weigh up
to 36,000 kilograms. These whales generally follow along the tail of the
migration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS4ESUUcvJkmmkP8pjL9XhwWyWYCY7UgeGLIbitIQ2nhICEkzvMscmuYZVXD1-jYBHLNbI4NPmgFPzyigtR0cBmiUjBt0nQOfejFs97tt0UYVhCgaA71aKajCJUvDXtSDt6C3nQA7Ysdx/s1600/_DSC9255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS4ESUUcvJkmmkP8pjL9XhwWyWYCY7UgeGLIbitIQ2nhICEkzvMscmuYZVXD1-jYBHLNbI4NPmgFPzyigtR0cBmiUjBt0nQOfejFs97tt0UYVhCgaA71aKajCJUvDXtSDt6C3nQA7Ysdx/s320/_DSC9255.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whales love to frolic and play in the calm waters of Hervey
Bay, protected from the strong winds and ocean currents by Fraser Island with
approximately 20,000 humpback whales migrating along the Australian coast each
year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Humans aren’t the only friends whales make along the way with dolphins
and dugong often spotted amongst whale pods in and around Hervey Bay. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven’t seen these incredible creatures close up,
check-out these <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/hot-deals.html">fantastic
packages</a> that include whale watch cruises and accommodation on World
Heritage-listed Fraser Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-47495273687117803082016-08-19T15:38:00.000+10:002016-08-19T15:39:03.436+10:00Want to see the whales up-close? Here's why the whales love to play off Fraser Island<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Southern Humpback whales have returned to the waters of
the Fraser Coast and this year, they are ready to party! After greeting
visitors with plenty of breaches and tail slaps, these curious and intelligent
creatures were keen to do some “people watching” getting right up close with
the Quick Cat Cruise boats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD2ISYFLsvX14mzjkqtLrVPJAurHiSMq6rjgskYQ65J-kLVhEfyuVnjArxA-YlzpDNes1CeZeSx6pyPoQU84YUUp-3_p_wZz2MBa8vuggHHUrfCxKAZ6GDRUTijEyO942YFwlC4EaEAQ_/s400/QC+baby+breach+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baby whale calf playing the protected walkers of the Fraser Coast</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD2ISYFLsvX14mzjkqtLrVPJAurHiSMq6rjgskYQ65J-kLVhEfyuVnjArxA-YlzpDNes1CeZeSx6pyPoQU84YUUp-3_p_wZz2MBa8vuggHHUrfCxKAZ6GDRUTijEyO942YFwlC4EaEAQ_/s1600/QC+baby+breach+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So why are some pods of whales more “active” than others?
Just like us humans, it often comes down to what stage the whales are at in
life. Whales generally mate every second year- and carry a calf for 11 months.
Mother whales will mate in the warm waters of Queensland towards the end of
whale season, and return the next year a give birth to their calf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqsiIDZz3tmiMChIBWwhuOCR0TvW_6v0E6T-ER33zUfV2wYokr4S4o4ma6CjA6GMZi2HlUQksJ9Rof9Kbof0nl4s3pEpep2AGZaF3s_Zeg9bP9ZctYASsmNay-ZvV8-icJdfzjrcevLYL/s1600/_DSC8134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqsiIDZz3tmiMChIBWwhuOCR0TvW_6v0E6T-ER33zUfV2wYokr4S4o4ma6CjA6GMZi2HlUQksJ9Rof9Kbof0nl4s3pEpep2AGZaF3s_Zeg9bP9ZctYASsmNay-ZvV8-icJdfzjrcevLYL/s320/_DSC8134.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A whale calf typically weighs 1.5 tonnes and are just over 4
metres in length when they are born. Newborn calves will stay with their mother
to feed and learn the ropes for roughly one year before venturing off to join a
juvenile pod for a migration at around two to three years old. Traditionally a
full adult whale will escort a mother whale and her calf back down along the
Australian cost to Antarctica. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time whales join a pod of juveniles they are roughly
six to seven metres in length and full of energy and curiosity (imagine whales
on schoolies). They are usually some of
the first pods in the migration and, at times, can get lost along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht972QpNK8TYmWIuZQHhn2xzcTappIiO5C7VvZiOKgZ-NI6jBc3QqKf9K9LpEBChgbGDOHnObiTIEsg-ol-tQ6KBb0nJrWd1kwBuWfKngePIotP1bTNkccPAN2nEAJpiN0_Scvs_NNStY5/s1600/_DSC8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht972QpNK8TYmWIuZQHhn2xzcTappIiO5C7VvZiOKgZ-NI6jBc3QqKf9K9LpEBChgbGDOHnObiTIEsg-ol-tQ6KBb0nJrWd1kwBuWfKngePIotP1bTNkccPAN2nEAJpiN0_Scvs_NNStY5/s400/_DSC8926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juvenile whales play in the waters off Fraser Island </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A pod of whales is usually two or three, and they can often
meet up in the waters off Fraser Island where five or six whales may be in
close proximity to each other. In some cases, such as Migaloo the white whale,
a pod can actually just be one whale. But generally they travel in pods of two
or three. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last, but definitely not least, are the big bulls – the full
grown adult male whales which can grow up to 14.5 metres in length and weigh up
to 36,000 kilograms. These whales generally follow along the tail of the
migration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS4ESUUcvJkmmkP8pjL9XhwWyWYCY7UgeGLIbitIQ2nhICEkzvMscmuYZVXD1-jYBHLNbI4NPmgFPzyigtR0cBmiUjBt0nQOfejFs97tt0UYVhCgaA71aKajCJUvDXtSDt6C3nQA7Ysdx/s1600/_DSC9255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS4ESUUcvJkmmkP8pjL9XhwWyWYCY7UgeGLIbitIQ2nhICEkzvMscmuYZVXD1-jYBHLNbI4NPmgFPzyigtR0cBmiUjBt0nQOfejFs97tt0UYVhCgaA71aKajCJUvDXtSDt6C3nQA7Ysdx/s320/_DSC9255.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whales love to frolic and play in the calm waters of Hervey
Bay, protected from the strong winds and ocean currents by Fraser Island with
approximately 20,000 humpback whales migrating along the Australian coast each
year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Humans aren’t the only friends whales make along the way with dolphins
and dugong often spotted amongst whale pods in and around Hervey Bay. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven’t seen these incredible creatures close up,
check-out these <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/hot-deals.html">fantastic
packages</a> that include whale watch cruises and accommodation on World
Heritage-listed Fraser Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-51998845965956286272016-08-08T11:51:00.000+10:002016-08-08T11:51:47.751+10:00Choose Your Next Adventure on Fraser<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Our sandy home of Fraser Island lies just off the east coast of paradisiacal Queensland. Kingfisher Bay Resort was recently thrilled to be featured in an article by Expedia all about the best ways to experience the island entitled, <a href="http://blog.expedia.com.au/experience-best-fraser-island/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">'Experience the best of Fraser Island'</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPioInVwLxI2RjrPhTS6Bw3UxmHc6mUC7vdfVA93GjRQoqqPc6BSY5UQY3Liv59Jvhe9Ki3XHGq0Gbo6F5SYkikyxjdC974ELT-GjC88KbnphixX0U-MVdWvwNVmyZkMlEEQsCb4bK7vTJ/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPioInVwLxI2RjrPhTS6Bw3UxmHc6mUC7vdfVA93GjRQoqqPc6BSY5UQY3Liv59Jvhe9Ki3XHGq0Gbo6F5SYkikyxjdC974ELT-GjC88KbnphixX0U-MVdWvwNVmyZkMlEEQsCb4bK7vTJ/s320/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">‘This award-winning resort is the luxury option on the island, with villas sporting modern beach décor. Couples looking for a romantic getaway should opt for a spa villa and soak their cares away in the open air of a private deck.’<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A world-heritage listed island, Fraser Island is an ideal destination for bird watchers and lovers of nature, wildlife and wildflowers. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Island is home to an incredible number of bird species, more than 230 to be exact. Rare and endangered animal species of all sorts can be found on The Great Sandy Strait, the stretch of water which separates Fraser Island from the mainland.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But for the most part it’s the spectacular lakes that draw all types of travellers from around the world to the largest sand island in the world. Fraser Island provides a fantastic opportunity to explore magnificent white sand dunes, rainforests and sand cliffs of striking colours. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7OdEsOWYmUE1zbfvmV3ksUzINwLwtrm-gMt-vrpQOzhB9NYyXcvaBfEhmNZSHUiTbcb73qgv_g5YBWEmopo_X9BT-A-fY_Akkw37eefkjrI5Seck-H2iJDq4m0JUb_NQaFFiaV47w-vV/s1600/Resort+Hotel+rooms+exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7OdEsOWYmUE1zbfvmV3ksUzINwLwtrm-gMt-vrpQOzhB9NYyXcvaBfEhmNZSHUiTbcb73qgv_g5YBWEmopo_X9BT-A-fY_Akkw37eefkjrI5Seck-H2iJDq4m0JUb_NQaFFiaV47w-vV/s320/Resort+Hotel+rooms+exterior.jpg" width="312" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Visit some of the island’s perched lakes, such as the deepest lake on the island, Lake Wabby, the beautifully clear Lake McKenzie, Basin Lake, which is a black-water perched lake. Eli Creek is fun for the whole family as natural currents guide your under aromatic gum trees.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You can partake in an educational tour offered by us at the Kingfisher Bay Resort. Or simply stay in a Wilderness Lodge at the resort and you will be surrounded by gum trees, bush plants and native birds, letting you begin your bird watching adventure at the break of dawn! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The resort hotel also offers luxurious spa rooms, one, two, and three bedroom villas, and holiday houses, and is the perfect venue for conferences, meetings, and romantic weddings.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Swim in the clear waters of Lake McKenzie, fish on Seventy-Five Mile Beach, visit the SS Maheno shipwreck on the eastern beach, or climb Indian Head and take in the spectacular views of the Island’s coast. Look out for turtles, dolphins, sharks, and rays from this rocky headland, which is on the eastern side of the Island.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Whatever adventure you choose be sure to return to a luxurious stay in our premier resort. We look forward to welcoming you to the island!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-30910967742035689242016-06-23T15:47:00.000+10:002016-06-23T16:20:16.902+10:00Five reasons Queensland's Fraser Island is better than NSW.. for a holiday <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the mighty Maroons having just secured yet another
State of Origin victory this week, it’s fair to say parochial Queenslanders
have a spring in their step and a smile on their dial. While we might be more than a little one-eyed
and full of Maroon pride, we’ve discovered that when it comes to choosing an
ideal holiday destination- just like our Origin team- Fraser Island beats NSW
in more ways than one. Here’s our top five:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Fraser’s beaches are bigger... and better</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you’re seeking an iconic, authentic beach experience in
Australia you could visit 10-Mile Beach in northern NSW or you can four-wheel
drive along the beach highway at 75-Mile Beach on Fraser Island...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In addition to
being a registered highway open for four-wheel drives, 75-Mile Beach also
doubles as an airstrip for scenic flights and- if that’s not enough- it is also
home to the Pinnacles and Coloured Sands and the famous Maheno shipwreck. When it
comes to beaches the score is Fraser Island 1- NSW-0. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">75-Mile Beach Fraser Island </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLZjHLF9i7njFNwqMxoR6td9zRcgV_0ad-d4yrmrRsjUC5jON0ro0G2MCM9Hy_Cg7RofcJB1fHhiulLowaEW1qxy8LSyLbGYjqJAX-z5ydPyzfwDuHocioYtNeEa_m87MLZ_Uf1MbA6WI/s1600/Boomanjin+-+Credit+Diego+Serra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLZjHLF9i7njFNwqMxoR6td9zRcgV_0ad-d4yrmrRsjUC5jON0ro0G2MCM9Hy_Cg7RofcJB1fHhiulLowaEW1qxy8LSyLbGYjqJAX-z5ydPyzfwDuHocioYtNeEa_m87MLZ_Uf1MbA6WI/s400/Boomanjin+-+Credit+Diego+Serra.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fraser Island's Lake Boomanjin</span></td></tr>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 2. </span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fraser Island has the world’s largest
perched lake</span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> … and it bleeds Maroon</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s no doubt Fraser Island is famous for its crystal
clear lakes that reflect the blue sunny skies all year round. But if you want
to discover the hidden gems that lie in the heart of Fraser Island-look no
further than Lake Boomanjin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Located 18 kilometres south of Central Station, covering
200 hectares, it is the biggest perched lake in the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And yes, even on a
beautiful sunny day, it shows its true colours of deep orange, gold and maroon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To re-cap for those watching at home, Fraser Island has bigger beaches, and now
the world’s biggest perched lake. We’re going to call that Fraser Island 2- NSW
0. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Don’t take our word for it, ask the
Humpback Whales</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are two populations of Humpback Whales in the world,
one that reside in the northern hemisphere and roughly 20,000 in the southern
hemisphere. Each year the southern Humpback Whales make a pilgrimage from their
home in Antarctica north along Australia’s east coast to the warmer waters of
the Great Barrier Reef. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR8khPg00JyhSwD8OuJBukoQTEjHxWBdHKjekY7WcKWPoaBbVYhhB317Bx71aa3Bnt6epUluCSWG10gvLX6w-vaHIzwxrTTubKD_UN_lU2VeLYRVMOI9BIhdsGdx7Q3XeBIxnoWLd2LWu/s1600/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR8khPg00JyhSwD8OuJBukoQTEjHxWBdHKjekY7WcKWPoaBbVYhhB317Bx71aa3Bnt6epUluCSWG10gvLX6w-vaHIzwxrTTubKD_UN_lU2VeLYRVMOI9BIhdsGdx7Q3XeBIxnoWLd2LWu/s400/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Fraser Coast is the only pit-stop for Humpback Whales in Australia</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During their time on the reef the whales give birth and
feed their young before returning on their southern migration. But on their
journey back home, around August each year, something truly remarkable happens.
They take an exit off the aquatic express and pull over for a breather in the
calm protected waters between Fraser Island and Hervey Bay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuHsW63i00Wi_zb7e7hMD6sTXr3PzWJd9hkhK8VLDFDZ2CTSaNH0ZMZrPgLbE3nP2MYTKvsPWxtrwpDhnPSHVt_yawzxa1UpzRw8jufGE997bbRIGD7LTXOaT76AIuLqT2sgrV6X6QE1R/s1600/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuHsW63i00Wi_zb7e7hMD6sTXr3PzWJd9hkhK8VLDFDZ2CTSaNH0ZMZrPgLbE3nP2MYTKvsPWxtrwpDhnPSHVt_yawzxa1UpzRw8jufGE997bbRIGD7LTXOaT76AIuLqT2sgrV6X6QE1R/s400/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whales showing off for eager whale watchers near Fraser Island </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the world’s largest sand island to protect them from
the currents of the open ocean, the whales can kick back and relax, feed their
young and enjoy a bit of people watching</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s the only place in Australia that
they do this- and one of only two places in the world this happens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once
they’re ready to continue their journey around October they head back out to
sea- past the coast of New South Wales and Victoria - to settle in to cooler
waters of the Antarctic during the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whales are incredibly intelligent and beautiful animals, and
seeing them up close is an experience like nothing else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They know Fraser
Island is the best place <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/whales-tour-fraser.html" target="_blank">to relax and play on holiday</a> and- we might be a bit
biased- but we think they’re on to something. So that’s Fraser Island 3- NSW 0
at the half-time break. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Sometimes size does matter... </b></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plenty of football coaches will tell you that strength,
endurance and teamwork are the key elements to a winning formula, and that’s
true. But when you’re planning a holiday on a tropical island, let’s face it-
size matters. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsyaZJnB7ZoPKzUoQhpQkEyPwb7TmsEeet28eJX4jTPoiR2OQrG_X0BaQsKnuy677APUVeP4YUs2DkRgb3zqtpvb4FioGlv0huP7sx4KQQJJrZ5dy_-ASCILKALGKb0caUNcuHvUfDz8K/s1600/Lake+Wabby%252C+Fraser+Island+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsyaZJnB7ZoPKzUoQhpQkEyPwb7TmsEeet28eJX4jTPoiR2OQrG_X0BaQsKnuy677APUVeP4YUs2DkRgb3zqtpvb4FioGlv0huP7sx4KQQJJrZ5dy_-ASCILKALGKb0caUNcuHvUfDz8K/s640/Lake+Wabby%252C+Fraser+Island+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">With an area of more than 181, 000 hectares, Fraser Island
stretches over 123 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres at its widest point
making it the largest sand island in the world. </span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes in life, bigger is
better, and we’re not going to suggest that Fraser Island has a better Opera
House than NSW, but when it comes to four-wheel driving, fishing, canoeing,
exploring, swimming, paddling and hiking- there’s no better place to do it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
figure, if you’re the biggest in the world Fraser deserves to get at least one
extra point, so that’s Fraser Island 4- NSW 0. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fraser Island is one of the most ecologically diverse places
in the world, it’s one of the many reasons the island was inscribed on the
World Heritage list by UNESCO in 1992. F</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">raser Island is home to more than 300
species of birds along with species of fish, squid, turtles, dolphins, dugong,
wallabies, echidnas and- of course- the iconic Fraser Island dingo.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkgVHtAEyjJY4quWJwRqrTI53XbJpCwHoITwIv5CJ7Md2rfpiVMUq_PuvFChJQA75R6_lmynt_6AuCwfSbLsQJXHO7DdBIrgVo0q0Rtxin6kIKUNNZjCdM1JiDUAkmTor4jGK_j1VaVgD/s1600/%25C2%25A9+D.+LEAL+202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkgVHtAEyjJY4quWJwRqrTI53XbJpCwHoITwIv5CJ7Md2rfpiVMUq_PuvFChJQA75R6_lmynt_6AuCwfSbLsQJXHO7DdBIrgVo0q0Rtxin6kIKUNNZjCdM1JiDUAkmTor4jGK_j1VaVgD/s640/%25C2%25A9+D.+LEAL+202.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fraser Island is the only place in the world where rainforest grows<br />from sand at a height of 200 metres</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it’s
not only the island’s incredible array of fauna that make Fraser such an
incredible holiday destination. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This natural wonder also happens to be the only
place in the world where rainforests can be found growing out of sand at
heights of over 200 metres.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walking through the pristine rainforests in the
heart of Fraser Island you’ll find silent, crystal clear lakes that weave their
way through the sand, pre-historic ferns and trees you can’t find anywhere else
on earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s one of the island’s most unique features and the fifth and final
tackle in this match-up. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On every measure it's easy to see that when it comes to island holiday destinations- there really is no contest against</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> our mates south of the border. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fraser Island takes the win, with the final score
line Fraser Island 5- NSW 0. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Post-match highlights
and expert insights: </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJEItCxP4H0SEoVl1UxuiF3RXVQ6OWBjCGwbLZTyqaVA1SfZAqeQU_D6ho-4VeSrBC7A__5a7K8hWQNDUcR7Wzf03pH5jT5_rGzc4BdJ1-57aRHVzPVS4PMpaa_XhRXuQaAegjY-vZsAI/s1600/5D3_1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJEItCxP4H0SEoVl1UxuiF3RXVQ6OWBjCGwbLZTyqaVA1SfZAqeQU_D6ho-4VeSrBC7A__5a7K8hWQNDUcR7Wzf03pH5jT5_rGzc4BdJ1-57aRHVzPVS4PMpaa_XhRXuQaAegjY-vZsAI/s400/5D3_1896.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kingfisher Bay Resort is the perfect place for a holiday on Fraser Island</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Fraser Island’s highlight reel truly is a thing of
beauty, not unlike the highlights package from the most recent State of Origin
series. With incredible natural beauty, iconic wildlife and unique experiences
to enjoy, Fraser Island is one of Australia’s must-visit island destinations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it comes to exploring this natural wonder there’s no
better place to stay during your visit than<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank"> Kingfisher Bay Resort.</a> With
sensational <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine.html" target="_blank">dining options,</a> a brand new <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-accommodation/kingfisher-bay-resort/natural-therapy.html" target="_blank">Day Spa</a>, and a fantastic <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html" target="_blank">Junior Eco-Ranger Program</a>, Kingfisher Bay Resort is the ideal location to relax, unwind
and enjoy the natural surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our experienced and knowledgeable team of rangers and guides
offer <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/fraser-island-tours/beauty-spots-tour.html" target="_blank">daily tours</a>, bush walks, activities and more to ensure you can experience
the very best of Fraser Island. And while we’ve had some fun with this blog, we
promise, we will always offer a warm and sincere welcome to visitors from New
South Wales. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-718947806650354812016-05-13T12:30:00.000+10:002016-05-13T13:33:10.774+10:00Top 5 reasons visitors choose to go whale watching on the Fraser Coast<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For almost 30 years, visitors from all over the world have flocked to Queensland's Fraser Coast to experience one of the most unique wildlife encounters on earth.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLag-8ibHHTPWNYawB_a8m-WCLKxdNAi-dl3Dl4kIieuI1pF3RHBK6Nihy9Ji4hk0wfl3pi2-qMForS-2-pXO_yr66bFM3ME3R_oy0oRo1Sk9EzYtGF4cOGj_czcuHcdHO9DbD5LSd7FBY/s1600/Whale3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLag-8ibHHTPWNYawB_a8m-WCLKxdNAi-dl3Dl4kIieuI1pF3RHBK6Nihy9Ji4hk0wfl3pi2-qMForS-2-pXO_yr66bFM3ME3R_oy0oRo1Sk9EzYtGF4cOGj_czcuHcdHO9DbD5LSd7FBY/s400/Whale3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whales bring their calves to play in Hervey Bay </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While there are a growing number of whale watch tours that can offer glimpses of whales as they swim along Australia's east coast on their way back to Antarctica, the Fraser Coast continues to be the only place where visitors are guaranteed front-row seats to one of nature's greatest shows. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven't been whale watching before, or you're trying to work out where to get the best whale watch experience, here's a list of the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Top 5 Reasons why you should book your encounter on the Fraser Coast.:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. There are only two places<i> in the world</i> where whales play- and Fraser is one of them.. </b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having completed their northern migration to calf in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef and started their return journey home, the protected waters on the western side of Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Strait provide the perfect spot for pods of whales to kick back and relax and- as with all trips to Fraser- there's plenty of fun for everyone. Mother whales teach their calves important skills they will need in cooler deeper waters, while curious, juvenile whales like to explore and do a bit of "people watching", while some of the grown ups in the pod kick back, while others are there to party, throw themselves around and have a good time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3J666Wu_1g8pNeAS_fCb0Vn186r0wBY1_v8G_Wb8X5BDQ74c4BLURPALOad4GY5PC2DFHWoGoFEDDPqn9k0VkMd4FXrNxiL7igSetJDFhSlWKuhPCLDbkcjjfQpkzTqSD2tf_7cMtrwd/s1600/Shayla+Whales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3J666Wu_1g8pNeAS_fCb0Vn186r0wBY1_v8G_Wb8X5BDQ74c4BLURPALOad4GY5PC2DFHWoGoFEDDPqn9k0VkMd4FXrNxiL7igSetJDFhSlWKuhPCLDbkcjjfQpkzTqSD2tf_7cMtrwd/s400/Shayla+Whales.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. It's one of the few places in the world you are GUARANTEED to see whales </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are different versions of this "guarantee" being offered to tourists right along the Queensland coast at various times of the year. As with many things in life, the devil can be in the detail. Under Queensland law, vessels are prohibited from approaching a whale and- in some instances- are not allowed within 300 metres of the mammals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, while we humans have to comply with the laws, the rules don't apply to whales, who may wish to approach a boat and do some "people watching". This happens more often than not in the protected waters, where Fraser Island acts as a buffer from the surf, swell and winds of the open ocean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. You can swim with whales off Fraser Island </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's right. If you're keen to get right up close to these gorgeous giants of the ocean- and they feel the same way- you can book a spot with Hervey Bay Whale Watch to <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/swimming-with-whales.html" target="_blank">swim with the humpbacks off Fraser Island.</a> This is a truly incredible wildlife encounter, offered by pioneers of the whale watch industry with close to 30 years experience. Visitors who want to swim with the whales should definitely book in advance as spots do fill up FAST. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Calm seas make for better experiences</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven't been out on the open water in anything smaller than a cruise liner, or your sea legs aren't in the best shape when it comes to venturing out onto the sea- Fraser Island provides the perfect place to be able to enjoy some time out on the water with the whales. With the island acting as a buffer, the waters of Hervey Bay are often incredibly calm and inviting. Not only does this enhance your experience, it increases your chance of an up close encounter with a whale too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5.You can have more cash to splash with an early bird booking</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the other reasons Fraser is such a popular whale watching destination, is the opportunity to combine a breath-taking whale watch encounter with the chance to explore World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To make this adventure nice and easy, the award-winning <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort</a> has created <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/whales-tour-fraser.html" target="_blank">the ultimate package </a>offering visitors 2 nights hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, transfers , a whale watch tour in Hervey Bay, a full day four-wheel drive tour of Fraser Island AND a third night FREE. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's easily the best option for visitors who want the best of both worlds when it comes to experiencing Fraser Island and meeting Australia's famous humpback whales. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Early bird specials are also available, meaning you can keep even more cash in your pocket to splash on your holiday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-78873385257840058562016-04-13T15:30:00.000+10:002016-04-20T10:38:43.897+10:00Fraser Island's "secret" place in Australian history<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Fraser Island is most famous for
its incredible natural beauty, abundant wildlife, pristine rainforests,
freshwater lakes and endless beaches. But for many years during World War II,
the white sandy beaches and iconic beauty spots such as Lake McKenzie served
not as idyllic destinations for holidaymakers, but as a training ground for
some of Australia's earliest special commando troops. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Australian Government chose
Fraser Island as the site for its secret Commando School for its seclusion and
because the island's difficult and varied terrain lent itself to both jungle
and amphibious training.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A total
of 909 men camped at the Fraser Commando School at North White Cliffs and
underwent training<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for what
turned out to be some of the most successful raids of the war.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Z was a special unit known only to the
Prime Minister and High Command.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Z Unit was formed in 1942, in
response to the rapid Japanese invasion of the Pacific area, to organise agents
and missions into enemy occupied areas in the South West Pacific. The Z Unit
was given the cover name of Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) a
nondescript name for a very active group of agents.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">More than
260 operations behind enemy lines were undertaken. Some are still on the secret
list.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Training at the camp was intense
and local leave for the troops was not allowed. They trained daily, from early
morning to late evening. The main emphasis was on physical fitness and the day
started with an early morning eight kilometre run in full equipment to Lake
McKenzie and back and included a swim across the lake fully clothed, all under
the stopwatch.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The men were taught how to
survive in the jungle, unarmed combat and methods of silent killing. The
learned how to operate all weapons, including the silent “Welrod” pistol, a sub
machine gun with silencer, and the killing knife. They became expert in using
small party tactics, plastic explosives, timing devices and booby trap pressure
switches.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The most famous mission carried
out by members of the Z Unit was the raid on Singapore Harbour in 1943 when
fourteen men sailed from Western Australia in the Krait, a small, captured
Japanese fishing vessel, to successfully destroy 40 000 tons of enemy shipping.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0zc-hICAJmrkDhQcsjZGbhIHnGgsZaT_iRu3KaE3UwlD91okvKzn70y4VIR9h3rDqDjhjfl10dOVEto_unNT-EQvdU5zt2dLp4vvNRYKi4M40mMWgdm-emGFi3Vr1yNwjRQ57MtVwc56/s1600/Krait-crew-+wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0zc-hICAJmrkDhQcsjZGbhIHnGgsZaT_iRu3KaE3UwlD91okvKzn70y4VIR9h3rDqDjhjfl10dOVEto_unNT-EQvdU5zt2dLp4vvNRYKi4M40mMWgdm-emGFi3Vr1yNwjRQ57MtVwc56/s320/Krait-crew-+wikipedia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crew of the Krait</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It was the longest and one of the
most extraordinary sea raids in the history of war. The Krait travelled nearly
5000 miles and spent 47 days away from Australia, 33 of those in Japanese
controlled waters. Every man who took part was decorated or mentioned in
dispatches. The operation was code-named ‘Jaywick’ and the Krait returned to
Australia without loss of life. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Today, visitors to Kingfisher Bay Resort can still hike along the Western Beach
and through the rugged scrub and find the remnants of the special commando
camp. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-17032847993574570622016-03-16T12:43:00.003+10:002016-03-16T12:48:24.720+10:00Bandicoots and bush tucker treats: Easter time on Fraser Island <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the summer slowly fades into autumn the air becomes a
little crisper; the sun sets over the ocean a littler earlier and rises a
little later. The days are warm and the skies are often clear and the birds
whistle in the wallum. If you’re a nature lover there’s no better time to visit
Fraser Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL69W3ZGzEIW7rMdiNzRowgY_KbJR6uDcl0q7FTYOWEmpfXeIcbA9-IF-lfCXa-dbl1V19iZ2W1QbFMJJ1TYUowukPZ8iPCgcSyWhf9BQy7u4t3j-uR8jMtAJpPvPGRksrmPVKJ94efpO/s1600/Midyim-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL69W3ZGzEIW7rMdiNzRowgY_KbJR6uDcl0q7FTYOWEmpfXeIcbA9-IF-lfCXa-dbl1V19iZ2W1QbFMJJ1TYUowukPZ8iPCgcSyWhf9BQy7u4t3j-uR8jMtAJpPvPGRksrmPVKJ94efpO/s400/Midyim-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Midyim berries </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">(Austromyrtus Dulcis</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">) are a tasty bush tucker treat</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now our Midyim berries <i>(Austromyrtus Dulcis</i>) otherwise known as Midgen berries or Sand
Berries are in full bloom. These tiny white berries are edible and contain an
incredible 136 calories each! They have a sweet, tangy flavour and light
texture and can be delicious little bush tucker treats so keep an eye out for
them around the island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most wallum wildflowers are at their most spectacular during
late winter and spring, but some flowers bloom all year round such as our Wide
Bay Boronias ( Boronia rivularis ).
These native shrubs are a near threatened species of plant which grow
along coastal areas of south-east Queensland in wet, sandy soils. Their
beautiful pink diamond flowers give off a distinctive Aniseed scent that serves
as both an attractant and a defence for the plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nsxwGrI9QtBuwom0rxjSLmCwb9m2NNFPzae1k9tFovUY2FkIcAmmLPwwViewMf79TPNezhTxkRUvD9oef3wERaOFCdqBzV7PZbUiSxqVe_aEpjrzfeJzTl6hPzp653fiHPKfSa4XzPQn/s1600/Wide+Bay+Boronias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nsxwGrI9QtBuwom0rxjSLmCwb9m2NNFPzae1k9tFovUY2FkIcAmmLPwwViewMf79TPNezhTxkRUvD9oef3wERaOFCdqBzV7PZbUiSxqVe_aEpjrzfeJzTl6hPzp653fiHPKfSa4XzPQn/s400/Wide+Bay+Boronias.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wide Bay Boronias <i>(Boronia Rivularis</i>) bloom all year round on Fraser Island</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our chefs at <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/seabelle-restaurant.html">Seabelle</a>
are also rejoicing at the new season produce they have on offer to incorporate
into their menu such as our native ginger. While this plant does produce a
flower and berries which have a distinctive taste, our chefs use the root of
the plant to infuse their sensational dishes with a bush tucker flavour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While the Easter bunny may not be “native” to Fraser Island,
we have discovered some new holes around <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort</a> that suggest bandicoots and echidnas have been busy
digging through the night. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQfjKartrtbMo-VJbd5noMxtWijb-g2zI1hahlT7nxWpneJUxpiubnq15eQqAu0_MX07XHsx6kLgzl8UDy2glLI1LNCVLJmZWd5Y0HyW7OnmP5YkyHvIrQN_H1bZnZAwR4l78ifLxHzD0/s1600/facts-about-long-nosed-bandicoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQfjKartrtbMo-VJbd5noMxtWijb-g2zI1hahlT7nxWpneJUxpiubnq15eQqAu0_MX07XHsx6kLgzl8UDy2glLI1LNCVLJmZWd5Y0HyW7OnmP5YkyHvIrQN_H1bZnZAwR4l78ifLxHzD0/s400/facts-about-long-nosed-bandicoot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s exciting to think these nocturnal friends are
scampering around at night- hopefully some <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html">Junior
Eco Rangers</a> might be lucky enough to spy one on our school holiday night
walks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can spot the holes as you walk around the resort- most commonly at the base of vegetation. Bandicoots and echidnas use their noses to dig holes while they forage for food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you’re around the resort after dark,
keep your eyes peeled for our furry friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-38817247177962385092016-02-26T12:35:00.001+10:002016-02-26T12:37:23.893+10:0010 reasons to spend a weekend on Fraser Island <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the clock creeps towards knock off time on a Friday afternoon, your thoughts starts to float towards the weekend. That glorious 48 hours to fill with anything you want to do. You can go anywhere and do anything- catch up with friends, try a new restaurant or see a movie... but a lot ofthe time our weekends get filled with things we should do (like cleaning or washing or ironing) instead of what we could do. So,if you need a few reasons you should spend a weekend on Fraser Island here's a few to get you started... </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Fine dining</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrQYzEr25MsmAD8w89I2AoWTSDzRdhCKgcSTEIpUrsxeBL_RwKo6j1oppvlniDF2wL4InXXp5JMNBr3i2KTyEgkQ1V5DGJOIraVo8qMB0VVNTF0HBv1eol0B3ZbgSs1XSWz5ZVvkKQuwW/s1600/SeabelleRestaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrQYzEr25MsmAD8w89I2AoWTSDzRdhCKgcSTEIpUrsxeBL_RwKo6j1oppvlniDF2wL4InXXp5JMNBr3i2KTyEgkQ1V5DGJOIraVo8qMB0VVNTF0HBv1eol0B3ZbgSs1XSWz5ZVvkKQuwW/s400/SeabelleRestaurant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If your weekend 'to do' list usually includes dining at a new restaurant, experiencing new taste sensations or visiting the local farmers' market to discover local produce- you can do all that and more at the award-winning <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/seabelle-restaurant.html" target="_blank">Seabelle Restaurant </a>at Kingfisher Bay Resort. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The chefs at Seabelle deliver sophisticated cuisine with a bush tucker twist and have crafted a sensational menu that features Hervey Bay scallops, kangaroo and even crocodile. They also use native ingredients, some of which grow on the island, to season and add a Fraser flavour to traditional dishes such as salt with pepperberry calamari and lemon myrtle tart. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-bY83bFHnLreIuLG1LceJ6P_mDgKijfZkzAl5UQaPiAIf0ar_AsG-pT672LLyGcHNd8jw4VvVRp6yC9hscCE14SoCfX3W2ojZt2s6gJEk2iHipSscwqjPBtDBJI2fLyg6bxbU01lk-Z7/s1600/_MG_6485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-bY83bFHnLreIuLG1LceJ6P_mDgKijfZkzAl5UQaPiAIf0ar_AsG-pT672LLyGcHNd8jw4VvVRp6yC9hscCE14SoCfX3W2ojZt2s6gJEk2iHipSscwqjPBtDBJI2fLyg6bxbU01lk-Z7/s400/_MG_6485.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Chefs offer up tasty tips </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chefs also regularly team up with the resort's rangers for<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/tastes-of-australia.html" target="_blank"> Bush Tucker Talk and Taste </a>presentations. These sessions allow guests to sample the unique flavours of native Australian bush tucker while rangers</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> explain their ecological origins and historical uses and chefs demonstrate how the flavours are used in the Seabelle kitchen. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Fishing</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDXf_b1sjZmViXNtRNL7P6ICWD6cBBZV1vOSKhu7ZmmafGLRwBqoFO6cjW6o8B74m3R_P96-J2FM2or6XV68ZbC-VCxA1nvnGn5a2YYS6AJF-OGjTmbLjc-zNvydeuJrLniYnoVleloae/s1600/Fishing+FraserIsland+PhotoCreditEurongBeachResort+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDXf_b1sjZmViXNtRNL7P6ICWD6cBBZV1vOSKhu7ZmmafGLRwBqoFO6cjW6o8B74m3R_P96-J2FM2or6XV68ZbC-VCxA1nvnGn5a2YYS6AJF-OGjTmbLjc-zNvydeuJrLniYnoVleloae/s400/Fishing+FraserIsland+PhotoCreditEurongBeachResort+%25287%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> There aren't too many fishing spots in the world that can cater to almost all conditions, but Fraser Island comes pretty close. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The protected waters on the western side of Fraser Island are a great place to throw in a line off the jetty and catch the odd bream while the eastern side lures keen anglers in from far and wide with some of the <a href="http://www.eurong.com/tours-and-activities/fraser-island-tours/fraser-island-activities.html" target="_blank">best beach fishing conditions in the world. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Crystal clear lakes</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7duK5znB_UmOOcH-E0Fh5JM7ezwulGPJ2OMKlJK5BjcJ6GV0PVBv1AoVEQLamyDoPSL8hP8fIchldl84ZreSTpxybWaiIVQNCo8Qz6U-85omJsTVthuRjb4RZOrRSLgPGLpGJICTmVIH/s1600/Lake+McKenzie%252C+Fraser+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7duK5znB_UmOOcH-E0Fh5JM7ezwulGPJ2OMKlJK5BjcJ6GV0PVBv1AoVEQLamyDoPSL8hP8fIchldl84ZreSTpxybWaiIVQNCo8Qz6U-85omJsTVthuRjb4RZOrRSLgPGLpGJICTmVIH/s400/Lake+McKenzie%252C+Fraser+Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's fair to say that in Queensland we are spoilt with some of the best weather AND the<a href="http://www.eurong.com/fraser-island.html" target="_blank"> best beaches</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before we wave goodbye to another glorious summer, there's still plenty of time to soak up some sun, take a walk along the gorgeous white sand beaches and take a dip in the crystal clear water of the freshwater lakes on Fraser Island- there really is nowhere like it in the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Exploring 4WD style</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO68F7JrjbN0EBrYOCaGtjaVdVK957ftTt6pD3wN_Aj5QGfF-Kc98jfmr2HOwd32xFK3el1NG080zSxAE6qa22b33P44ZzdjrpRIDvjj9PAXltuCuUe1A95K5Oj0HdeK2uj7l-gRL8VXX/s1600/104489-634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO68F7JrjbN0EBrYOCaGtjaVdVK957ftTt6pD3wN_Aj5QGfF-Kc98jfmr2HOwd32xFK3el1NG080zSxAE6qa22b33P44ZzdjrpRIDvjj9PAXltuCuUe1A95K5Oj0HdeK2uj7l-gRL8VXX/s400/104489-634.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If your idea of a great weekend involves getting outdoors, taking a break from the daily grind and trying your hand at something new- Fraser Island is your ideal weekend getaway destination. If you have a four-wheel-drive, a decent map and a sense of adventure there are more than 1500 kilometres of off-road tracks all over the island and plenty of incredible spots to explore. If you don't own a 4WD you don't have to miss out, you can book a <a href="http://www.fraserexplorertours.com.au/" target="_blank">guided island tour</a> or<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/resort-activities/4wd-hire.html" target="_blank"> hire one for the weekend</a>. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">6. 75 Miles of Beach</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2F2ljgEHW3HyFMFbcCUJYAbQbxucTzw_JokKh-ILtWGuwu9LYT6ilgQJ3r4ecL8PA4H_7ETwxgD3Jtji2BeNQXT-oMYn6a869qnZSUsA9kOWGC1Yuz9vIvBDAomPJSYuiAn4_2bfYf8o/s1600/128.+Maheno+Shipwreck+DSC_2106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2F2ljgEHW3HyFMFbcCUJYAbQbxucTzw_JokKh-ILtWGuwu9LYT6ilgQJ3r4ecL8PA4H_7ETwxgD3Jtji2BeNQXT-oMYn6a869qnZSUsA9kOWGC1Yuz9vIvBDAomPJSYuiAn4_2bfYf8o/s400/128.+Maheno+Shipwreck+DSC_2106.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Easily Queensland’s best “highway” Fraser Island’s <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/newsroom/item/607-75-maile-beach-tripadvisor.html" target="_blank">Seventy-Five Mile Beach</a> is gaining a well-</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">earned reputation as a must-visit destination with plenty of attractions to stop and enjoy along </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the way. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Home to the iconic Maheno Shipwreck and the incredible Pinnacles Coloured Sands, the beach is </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">also one of Australia’s few beach airstrips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>7. Pristine rainforest</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA19dd6SDoccSFoC13BjBXdyqNCXmXUL1-vO8o_Pr5MWo_BWL81bbO_mYEeTnt9Qdzj7qHVKv45U2vlxRYvDWu3lcu4LFInsUaVmiSBZ6adyl9gHFpyL7gvhy1enQjM6sECNpXCD9TCTKv/s1600/_+Wanggoolba+Creek+Central+Station+-+Rob+Annesley+DSC8236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA19dd6SDoccSFoC13BjBXdyqNCXmXUL1-vO8o_Pr5MWo_BWL81bbO_mYEeTnt9Qdzj7qHVKv45U2vlxRYvDWu3lcu4LFInsUaVmiSBZ6adyl9gHFpyL7gvhy1enQjM6sECNpXCD9TCTKv/s400/_+Wanggoolba+Creek+Central+Station+-+Rob+Annesley+DSC8236.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The rainforests on Fraser Island are unlike any you will see anywhere else in the world- it is one of the only places on the planet where trees grow out of sand at an elevation of 200 metres.Two of <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-research/item/228-an-australian-wilderness-experience.html" target="_blank">Fraser Island's unique features </a>are its biodiversity and its ability to sustain an incredible array of vegetation in sand.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is one of the reasons Fraser Island was recognised by UNESCO alongside the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru as one of Queensland's five World Heritage-listed areas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>8. Incredible sunsets </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ5h6f8SOnQyL4ftFDBAhQ4TUuOY6EuOMvYUaK0vnNVj-1nYiim_QG5T23aRpas7tiu9ZvQAIQiJGD5YzM8MHfpon9BvmP8jJviSXmpwZXI5paM8j4xDijqBu6SSu5YJ9BbsMYQFi-wtP/s1600/FRAZER+ISLAND_0402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ5h6f8SOnQyL4ftFDBAhQ4TUuOY6EuOMvYUaK0vnNVj-1nYiim_QG5T23aRpas7tiu9ZvQAIQiJGD5YzM8MHfpon9BvmP8jJviSXmpwZXI5paM8j4xDijqBu6SSu5YJ9BbsMYQFi-wtP/s400/FRAZER+ISLAND_0402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We all want time to move just a little slower on the weekends and when you're sitting on the Jetty or on the beach at <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort </a>with a cold drink in your hand and the sun starts to set you can almost feel time slow down a gear- it's one of the few places on Australia's East coast where you can sit and watch the sunset over the ocean. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Relaxing with a few mates, or taking in the view with that special someone, is the perfect way to finish the day on Fraser Island. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>9. Nightlife </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSfZA2-CapbOqYVsSz3uga-nNti4T20qyhXkfkrGEDDkt2pl03BSHvunmkr5imtcTViZupkuM7fGaCU1z26zAVCe3SswWGM7eskmQ3E6CntXJUGKOJaq_U9o857gm6VByfJ5llfdcQSEj/s1600/Stary+Night+%2526+Milky+Way+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSfZA2-CapbOqYVsSz3uga-nNti4T20qyhXkfkrGEDDkt2pl03BSHvunmkr5imtcTViZupkuM7fGaCU1z26zAVCe3SswWGM7eskmQ3E6CntXJUGKOJaq_U9o857gm6VByfJ5llfdcQSEj/s400/Stary+Night+%2526+Milky+Way+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When the sun goes down the show is only just beginning- it might sound like a cliche but there really is something magical about gazing at the night sky and seeing millions of stars. If you're bringing the kids for the weekend, the Kingfisher Bay Resort's </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html" target="_blank">Junior Eco Rangers prog</a>r</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html" target="_blank">am</a> includes an awesome range of night activities including stargazing, night walks and campfire stories. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>10. Wildlife</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcQn1CCFYOVpTqMHAssjR5X4VVsKgG-xwHLNAqwzUx3nhb3gECdwX1KRmDRIWbQN54VakC-PynKX1r9QncAvV4lFkJJhO2wcDQidtESIp37ncY_W5iQdrHsraopxV7syo5JO3gAiRDxUL/s1600/Dingo+Pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcQn1CCFYOVpTqMHAssjR5X4VVsKgG-xwHLNAqwzUx3nhb3gECdwX1KRmDRIWbQN54VakC-PynKX1r9QncAvV4lFkJJhO2wcDQidtESIp37ncY_W5iQdrHsraopxV7syo5JO3gAiRDxUL/s400/Dingo+Pup.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fraser Island is home to thousands of species of animals and marine life including turtles, dugong, possums and - of course- the iconic Fraser Island dingo. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each year an estimated 10,000 whales also take time out of their migration along Australia's Eastern coastline to wallow in the warm, protected waters off Fraser Island. These giants </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">of the ocean arrive in August each year providing the <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/fraser-island-cruises/whale-watching.html" target="_blank">ultimate in Australian wildlife encounters. </a></span></div>
Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-74843473120826218752016-01-30T14:37:00.000+10:002016-02-08T11:24:43.646+10:002016 is set to be the biggest yet on Fraser Island After a busy Christmas and New Year period, we've hit the ground running in 2016 on Fraser Island. We welcomed over 100 new <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html" target="_blank">Junior Eco Rangers</a> to our ranks over the school holidays and we are sending all our little rangers our best wishes as they head back to school this week.<br />
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Just last week we welcomed this wonderful bunch from Hervey Bay Vocational Care. This group had a great time going on a scavenger hunt with Ranger Annie, visiting the Great Sandy Strait lookout, learning about the heritage of Fraser Island around the camp fire and taking in the amazing sights around the island with a bus tour of the best spots on Fraser.<br />
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While the humpback whales are famous for stopping off Fraser Island in the winter months, they aren't the only species to take a breather in the Great Sandy Strait during their migration. During the summer the mudflats off Fraser Island provide an important habitat for thousands of migratory wader birds- so if you're a keen bird watcher, nature lover or photographer the coming months are a great time to witness these special visitors on their journey.<br />
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We are also coming into our traditional "wet season" which can bring in afternoon summer showers and cool evening sea breezes. Our beautiful rainforests delight in soaking up the rain which also serves to top up the island's famous perched lakes that collect all their crystal clear water from the sky.</div>
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We are gearing up for another big year on Fraser Island with <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/valentines-day.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day</a> just around the corner and an early visit from the Easter bunny in March. We have welcomed new rangers to join our fantastic team and we look forward to introducing you to more of our experienced tour guides, chefs and rangers and sharing their best tips on how to make the most o<br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-43440930775164119142015-12-02T16:42:00.000+10:002015-12-03T09:05:05.610+10:00Lights, camera and plenty of action on Fraser!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have had an action-packed month here on Fraser, hosting school groups from across Queensland, and interstate. Students from Xavier Anglican College in Ballina had a brush with breakfast TV stardom recently- meeting Steve Jacobs from the Today Show during their visit to Fraser Island.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Jackobs & students from Xavier Anglican College (Ballina).</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to meeting and greeting TV weathermen, students have been learning all about the history of Fraser Island, how it was formed and the cultural history of the island’s traditional owners- the Butchella people.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grass Tree (<i> Xanthorrhea fulva</i> )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The native flowers such as this Grass Tree ( <i>Xanthorrhea fulva </i>), are in full bloom and attracting large numbers of native bee species- it’s great to see mother nature in action everywhere you look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our famous Fraser Island dingoes are also in their whelping season. This is a particularly important time for pups to learn natural hunting and survival skills. As cute as they might look, it is critical to the welfare of the pups that interaction with people is avoided. A young dingo may not develop natural hunting skills if it is fed or learns to steal food from people. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpHJn_cTuz65U2oiIYlzZQySlbSrFNyOXYswYbP4zQZVmYPXgIrCGqvsNeJM38dMhbCJfBv705SYlhw4n2bcrb8sRhu00uU68Yj2GUnwi9cjUGKrsILFHgcLpSN9UOnM9bCq_rARDYRga/s1600/blog-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpHJn_cTuz65U2oiIYlzZQySlbSrFNyOXYswYbP4zQZVmYPXgIrCGqvsNeJM38dMhbCJfBv705SYlhw4n2bcrb8sRhu00uU68Yj2GUnwi9cjUGKrsILFHgcLpSN9UOnM9bCq_rARDYRga/s320/blog-3.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While our dingo fence surrounding the resort generally does a great job of keeping dingoes off site- we do urge all guests to be mindful of dingoes and their pups while travelling around the island. Further information about <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/pdf/be-dingo-safe-flyer.pdf" target="_blank">dingo whelping season</a> is available from Queensland National Parks department. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are getting geared up for another fantastic school holiday time on Fraser Island with our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/images/brochures/JER.pdf" target="_blank">Junior Eco Ranger program </a>running right through the summer holidays- with beach Olympics, campfires, fishing frenzies, night walks and much more- there is going to be plenty of fun for all ages on Fraser Island this summer. </span><br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-91405902746521633222015-09-29T16:26:00.002+10:002015-09-29T16:39:02.001+10:00School Holidays on Fraser Island with Ranger Ann<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The school holidays are in full swing and we’ve had a great time this week teaching the kids all about our beautiful environment and introducing them to some of the critters that live here on Fraser Island. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html" target="_blank">Junior Eco Rangers</a> have been competing in Beach Olympics, going on Treasure Hunts and Scavenger Challenges and wetting a line in our Fishing Frenzy. The adventure doesn’t stop after dark either- our Junior Eco Rangers have had a great time taking <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/night-spotlighting.html" target="_blank">Night Walks</a>, roasting marshmallows on a campfire and learning about marine life by night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big kids and teens on the island haven’t missed out on all the fun with our </span><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/canoe-paddle.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">canoe trips</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/marine-activities.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">stand up paddle boards</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/segway-adventures.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Segway beach tours</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> proving very popular. If you’re heading to Fraser this week make sure you get in early and book your activities with our reception team as these babies are going fast! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last but not least some of the biggest kids of all- our baby Humpback whales- and their mums and dads have been enjoying themselves just off the coast of Fraser this week too. Our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/fraser-island-cruises/whale-watching.html" target="_blank">Whale Watching Tours</a> have been a favourite with our guests again this year and the whales didn’t disappoint. They will start to head south again in a few weeks’ time so if you haven’t been out to see them before, get in quick! </span>Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-31387261824573396892015-07-28T12:52:00.000+10:002015-07-28T13:13:29.670+10:00Dingoes Under The Spotlight, Toad Busters, And Mother Nature At Her FinestWinter is in full fling in Australia, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. On Fraser Island we’ve been enjoying balmy weather during the day and some crisp, starry nights. The fruit of the Midjim Berries (<i>Austromyrtus dulcis</i>) have disappeared, but Wide Bay Boronias (<i>Boronia Rivularis</i>) are in bloom and Hervey Bay’s holidaying humpbacks (<i>Megaptera novaeangliae</i>) are breaching off the east and west coasts of Fraser. We’ve even seen them off the end of<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank"> Kingfisher Bay Resort’s jetty.</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.com/seanscottphotography/" target="_blank">The uber-talented Sean Scott captured this stunning image in the skies above Lake McKenzie.</a></td></tr>
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Winter is also a time that dingoes (<i>Canis Lupis Dingo</i>) give birth and protect their young and their territory. We’ll have to wait for September and the start of spring to see pups leaving their den and starting to explore their World Heritage-listed backyard… and although the pups are adorable, please remember to be <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/dingo-safe.html" target="_blank">Dingo Safe</a> on island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingo and son at Fraser Island's Eli Creek.</td></tr>
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This month, our island team has welcomed the news that University of Sunshine Coast academics have won two grants to research dingoes and dingo behaviour on island. The University is also involved in a third grant project with the folks at the University of Queensland.<br />
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<b>What does this mean?</b> The more we understand about these animals, the better we can manage them. One team lead by USC’s Dr Clare Archer-Lean will evaluate the interaction between people and dingoes on the world’s largest sand island with a view to improving current safety messages for visitors. <br />
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USC’s Ecological Genetic and Modelling Expert, Dr Gabriel Conroy, will run a pilot project to estimate the number of dingoes on Fraser and monitor population trends. Rounding out the three, Associate Professor, Jennifer Carter, will collaborate on a University of Queensland research project specifically looking at non-invasive ways of monitoring dingo diet and health.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, but don't touch. Pic Air Fraser Is.</td></tr>
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<b>DID YOU KNOW that Fraser Island’s dingoes appear lean because they are very active? These crazy critters can travel up to 40km each day on island. The good news is that Fraser Island’s dingo population is healthy and studies have shown that adult dingoes on island have a higher-than-average body weight that their pure counterparts on mainland Australia.</b><br />
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In our commitment to bring you Fraser Island ‘warts and all’… we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that last month marked 80 years since Entomologist Reginald Mungomery unwittingly unleashed one the of the greatest environmental disasters on Australia. Back in 1935, Mungomery introduced Cane Toads (<i>Rhinella marina</i>) to control Cane Beetles (<i>Dermolepida albohirtum</i>) and other grubs that were damaging cane crops.<br />
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<b>RANGER FACT! Since the thirties, the toad population in Australia has exploded in leaps and bounds </b><b>– </b><b>if you’ll pardon the pun – with an average clutch containing more than 30,000 eggs.</b><br />
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According to the folks at the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation, Cane Toads arrived on Fraser Island on flood debris washed down the Mary River several decades ago. Their appearance coincided with a dramatic reduction in snake numbers, particularly Death Adders (<i>Acanthophis antarcticus</i>).<br />
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<a href="http://kingfisherbayresort.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/soldier-crabs-and-natural-toad-busters.html" target="_blank">Check out how toad-busting scientists are waging the war on these villainous pests.</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cane Toads can snatch small vertebrates. Photo: NT News</td></tr>
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<b>Four Fast Facts </b><br />
<a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/80-facts-to-mark-80-years-of-cane-toads-20150625-ghxwo9.html" target="_blank">(Plus 76 more if you follow this link...)</a><br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Prior to 1935, Australia was devoid of toads. Mungomery sourced 102 cane toads – an equal split of males and females - from Hawaii. It took one week for the toads to start laying eggs, and another three days for the eggs to start hatching. Within weeks they had thousands. <br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The toads were initially released throughout Tourism North Queensland and it took just 10 years for them to reach Brisbane. The sad fact of the matter is that nobody realised that cane toads couldn't jump very high and couldn't reach the beetles they was supposed to eat - so the invasion has been for nothing.<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Toads compete with native species for sheltering sites and food resources, and while feed primarily off insects, will also snatch small vertebrates. Female cane toads grow to about 12cm in length, with males smaller in size. However, they are among the biggest frog species in the world.<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Toad toxin contains both adrenaline and cardotoxic steroids, which means it gets your heart racing in order to deliver its poison shock faster. Key takeaway message - don't lick a cane toad.<br />
(Source: <a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/80-facts-to-mark-80-years-of-cane-toads-20150625-ghxwo9.html" target="_blank">Brisbanetimes.com.au 27/06/15)</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxb0zK8-ya9mxN4zOaRDWkKfUR6aUqXVnEZCO7ObxeVVWRJLALWEE2s2LSdAjGlJgXQe6lZj_JUOrjxjRkMEgvi9clpK2U5-gmZ4D1BUOskXVXjx_4zuaQzSOwGlPH_qFr9faKQ8XMBTC/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxb0zK8-ya9mxN4zOaRDWkKfUR6aUqXVnEZCO7ObxeVVWRJLALWEE2s2LSdAjGlJgXQe6lZj_JUOrjxjRkMEgvi9clpK2U5-gmZ4D1BUOskXVXjx_4zuaQzSOwGlPH_qFr9faKQ8XMBTC/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted and shared by <a href="https://instagram.com/noelr70/" target="_blank">@noelr70</a> on Instagram</td></tr>
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And in closing, regular Jetty Hut visitors witnessed the cycle of nature in full swing as a young Short-beaked Echidna (<i>Tachyglossus aculeatus</i>) unwittingly took its life into its own paws when it went for a stroll on Sunset Beach. <br />
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It seems the unsuspecting Echidna – whose only natural predators on Fraser are Goannas, Snakes and Dingoes – may have skirted too close to a large Python in its winter curl in the sun. Whilst onlookers were rooting for the Echidna, who seemed to escape unscathed at the time, neither animal has been seen since.<br />
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That’s nature folks. On Fraser Island, we’re looking forward to sunny September and all the wonderful wildlife that spring brings. This is Ranger J signing off for the last time as I hand the reins over to Ranger Annie.<br />
<br />Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1143223 150.56331179999998 -23.4183073 155.74885879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-42443719064019507162015-07-01T06:00:00.000+10:002015-07-01T06:00:00.936+10:00Fraser's All Finned And FeatheredWhale Watching off <a href="http://www.fraserisland.net/" target="_blank">Fraser Island </a>has just entered its 29th season in our region and, at this time of year, visitors are in the box seat to see one of the largest animals embarking on one of the longest migrations. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hervey Bay Humpbacks indulge in a little people watching and put on quite a show while they do it. Pic Richard Campion</span></td></tr>
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Sixty Minutes’ Charles Wooley once described the rise of Humpback (<i>Megaptera novaeangliae</i>) population numbers as one of Mother Nature’s greatest comebacks. Here is an animal that was hunted to the brink of extinction for products such as whale oil, bones and blubber. This year, those in the know report that more than 20,000 are expected to make the annual migration along the east coast of Australia <a href="http://www.whalewatch.com.au/" target="_blank">with around 8,000 of those taking time out of their migration schedule to socialise and wallow in the calm waters on the lee side of Fraser.</a><br />
<b><br />RANGER FACT In the late 18th century, whale bones were popular in whips, umbrellas and corsets, whilst blubber was melted down and used in candles and as a base for perfumes and soaps.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whales were hunted to the brink of extinction. Photo courtesy of: treasure-explorer.nla.gov.au</td></tr>
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According to NSW Wildlife Officer, Geoff Ross - <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-22/humpback-numbers-increase-along-east-coast/6564128" target="_blank">in his recent interview with ABC </a>– better conservation practices have helped Humpback numbers bounce back from overharvesting. However, with the increase in numbers comes an increased risk of potential boat strikes, strandings <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/humpback-whale-caught-in-prawn-traps-rescued-near-powell-river-b-c-1.3127890" target="_blank">and net entanglements.</a><br />
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Here in Hervey Bay, boat skippers are obliged by law not to approach within 100m of the Humpbacks (or 300m if there are three or more vessels present). They also can’t approach a whale head on nor can they herd or chase them or separate mothers and calves. For those visiting region, they can<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLASlPpQqXw3SplxWs-HrL_K7OUa7cL_fgl10i0eWFrX-XbI1v-R5ynhYda6ZdcBXTtFmjjBL_haKC2dCoiLw3bLExJqlRjwmfjiQA5j5uMk8t6uoJn7r-IF0eogkm-jhtNWT3NwFKAEZd/s1600/Fishing+nude%252C+Fraser+Island+PhotoCreditCodyDoucetteMatadorNetwork-9107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLASlPpQqXw3SplxWs-HrL_K7OUa7cL_fgl10i0eWFrX-XbI1v-R5ynhYda6ZdcBXTtFmjjBL_haKC2dCoiLw3bLExJqlRjwmfjiQA5j5uMk8t6uoJn7r-IF0eogkm-jhtNWT3NwFKAEZd/s320/Fishing+nude%252C+Fraser+Island+PhotoCreditCodyDoucetteMatadorNetwork-9107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a bit cheeky. Pic: Cody Doucette, Matador Network</td></tr>
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It’s not just all about the whales though as Fraser Island is the <a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/travel/australia/beach-fishing-at-fraser-island-during-a-stay-at-family-friendly-eurong-beach-resort/story-fnjjv0r8-1227196770460" target="_blank">Tailor</a> (<i>Pomatomus Saltatrix</i>) capital of Australia. These feisty sport fish are already beginning to school up in the deeper water of the Great Sandy Strait with 45cm fish sighted by locals recently.<br />
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You can catch Tailor all year round on Fraser but August is prime time – as that’s when mature fish school near the food supplies to spawn - but there is always plenty of action right up until October. The Ranger team always encourage our visiting fisher folk to take what they need and then catch and release what they don’t – this helps maintain marine park resources.<br />
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<b>DID YOU KNOW</b> that Tailor can grow up to 10kg, but are usually between 1 and 2kg? They’re easily identified by their elongated bodies – the lower half is silver and the top is dark green.<br />
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<a href="http://kingfisherbayresort.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/winter-in-our-wild-fraser-island.html" target="_blank">Last month,</a> we spoke at some length about Migratory Bird Day and the importance of Fraser Island as a <a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/what-is-protected/wetlands" target="_blank">key wetland of international importance for migrating birds</a>. It was with some interest that we read an article in <a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/scientists-concerned-as-fraser-island-birds-create-a-no-fly-zone/story-fnihsrk2-1227406539905" target="_blank">The Courier Mail</a> recently that pointed out several species that have yet to make their migration to Siberia for the annual breeding season – including terns (<i>Sterna hirundo</i>) and godwits (<i>Limosa</i>). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJCRqzLhyphenhyphenOSQi_ADGt46IDe7DqEi-AlIlWUorp4hsCwKAPA-VvoUIuMyV371Yc_ju2znIPlZqYm25xtGbnAbrXuijsX_aEIqO6KrxibPdQWQZGwC_5d0jCLTBVnTbV09kwH1hNSIxJXms/s1600/Crested+Tern+20070813-_N7D9567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJCRqzLhyphenhyphenOSQi_ADGt46IDe7DqEi-AlIlWUorp4hsCwKAPA-VvoUIuMyV371Yc_ju2znIPlZqYm25xtGbnAbrXuijsX_aEIqO6KrxibPdQWQZGwC_5d0jCLTBVnTbV09kwH1hNSIxJXms/s320/Crested+Tern+20070813-_N7D9567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Tern (<i>Thalasseus bergii</i>) on 75-Mile Beach</td></tr>
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Scientists have yet to decipher how birds navigate, so the current theories for this lack of movement suggest the birds haven’t been able to fatten up enough (possibly because of low pilchard numbers) or that they’ve been disturbed by vehicles. <br />
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Both Federal and State environment ministers have yet to respond or commit to a proposal to close 18km of the island’s ocean beach at the southern tip for migrating shorebirds. WATCH THIS SPACE, we’ll keep you updated.<br />
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And, until next time, stay warm tree huggers… and if it’s not warm where you live, <a href="https://instagram.com/p/4L0Xb3DMPC/?taken-by=kingfisherbayresorthttps://instagram.com/p/4L0Xb3DMPC/?taken-by=kingfisherbayresort" target="_blank">well, we’re still swimming on Fraser Island</a> so come and visit us. Cheers, Ranger J.<br />
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<br />Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-34838992846059138782015-06-09T13:05:00.001+10:002015-06-10T09:03:12.893+10:00Winter In Our Wild Fraser Island ParadiseThe first day of winter officially kicked in on 1 June with Tasmanian’s scraping the ice from their windscreens, Victorians rugging up and <a href="http://www.whalewatch.com.au/" target="_blank">Humpbacks (Megatera novaengliae) </a>cavorting off the east coast (and in the Great Sandy Strait as of June 9). <br />
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Closer to <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort,</a> Fraser Islanders are experiencing El Nińio-like conditions - for the first month of winter, the Fraser Coast is expecting mild weather with a maximum average temperature of 24 degrees - and spent the change of season swimming in the warm waters of our perched dune lakes. <br />
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As you can see below, we absolutely love winter in our sub-tropical paradise!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's how we're wintering at gorgeous Lake Birrabeen - part of the island's Southern Lakes Circuit. </td></tr>
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The resort's Ranger team also love answering your questions about the island’s ecology and history as well as its flora and fauna. I wanted to share a question asked recently by one of our visiting media and some interesting observations from ‘people in the know’. <br />
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<b>What are the biggest threats to Fraser Island and its fragile eco systems? </b>We have to say that climate change is the biggest long-term threat. According to Fraser Island Defenders Association project officer, John Sinclair, Fraser Island is as far north as species such as blackbutt and scribbly gums grow. Mr Sinclair says if the climate gets hotter, you can expect them to move south and the great forests to eventually disappear from the island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fraser Island's glorious eastern coastline.</td></tr>
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Not surprisingly, the world’s biggest sand island is shaped by strong onshore winds, weather and ocean currents which sweep sand north from the continental shelf in NSW – by its very nature, is in a constant start of change. It is a no-brainer then that future rises in sea levels will have a significant impact on our easily erodible shoreline. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/coastline-expanding/2654866/" target="_blank">DID YOU KNOW that Fraser Island is currently expanding? </a> Incredibly, locals on the island’s eastern beach have recently reported, that over the past 50 years, the island has actually increased outwards by up to 50 metres in some places like around<a href="http://www.eurong.com.au/" target="_blank"> Eurong, where our sister resort is located.</a> </b><br />
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University of Queensland Professor, James Shulmeister, is leading a team of researchers to find out exactly how much the island has grown over the past 50 years or so. Professor Shulmeister told the <a href="http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/sea-rise-could-harm-fraser/2665746/" target="_blank">local Fraser Coast Chronicle newspaper</a> that it was reasonable to expect some growth during El Nińio events, as the cooler ocean temperatures keep tropical storms at bay and allow for sand deposits to grow in the short term.<br />
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Professor Shulmeister agrees that the bigger climate change picture will see the island becoming leaner. His research team is currently studying the dunes at Rainbow Beach (off the southern end of Fraser) and will work their way over to Fraser Island in the next few months where they’ll be studying the still-visible traces of old beaches (showing 125,000 year-old high sea levels). WATCH THIS SPACE!<br />
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<b>Whilst we’ve been chatting about bigger picture impacts, the question remains, what can we do in the short term? </b>As one of the major tourism operators on island, we believe that in the short term human impact needs to be suitably managed – not just visitor numbers, but by behaviours. It seems common sense, but these are our top THREE worst visitor behaviours in the national park…<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhYrbRjvjLNtAbm7rruHxEi2ZUB67rI_uC6BmaA8i_w4EyzuzVIuZo2WuPqjWG1ikeaJeftI4tHtDgBdpAE0X9n-QGsDMM-gy643853VKKrfMx941T8oyXNcxtZp3cayOR9b4iEOAf_M3/s1600/Happy+volunteers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhYrbRjvjLNtAbm7rruHxEi2ZUB67rI_uC6BmaA8i_w4EyzuzVIuZo2WuPqjWG1ikeaJeftI4tHtDgBdpAE0X9n-QGsDMM-gy643853VKKrfMx941T8oyXNcxtZp3cayOR9b4iEOAf_M3/s320/Happy+volunteers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers during the annual island clean up</td></tr>
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<b>1. Dumping rubbish: </b>Flotsam and jetsam washing ashore are inevitable on any coastline, but it is the non-perishable rubbish that campers and visitors careless throw into our World Heritage-listed bushland that is most heartbreaking. <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/special-events/item/560-22-26-may-2014-14th-annual-fraser-island-clean-up.html" target="_blank">A big thumbs up to the Four Wheel Drive Queensland club members who recently conducted a grand-scale clean up – an annual event - to cart away the rubbish that accumulates on island. </a> Over three days, the group collected plastic, netting, bottles and beer cans, and incredibly, thousands of toothbrushes discarded by careless campers.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_u-yuQiuYqSDG5eVqGZgET8Ua1cL_d53p0vuO5emiv680SaL2hy8utKiByQ2nUUjoA7nEJlYhWp7dvQNwO65cNMzqcLnB3MuHZVjd6V78lHxQYHO2OtjhssR6Dv8PZhosVJ1cQ7biN82/s1600/Fraser+Island+Dingo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_u-yuQiuYqSDG5eVqGZgET8Ua1cL_d53p0vuO5emiv680SaL2hy8utKiByQ2nUUjoA7nEJlYhWp7dvQNwO65cNMzqcLnB3MuHZVjd6V78lHxQYHO2OtjhssR6Dv8PZhosVJ1cQ7biN82/s400/Fraser+Island+Dingo.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please don't feed Fraser's wild animals</td></tr>
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<b><br />2. Interacting with and feeding wildlife:</b> Don't do it. It really doesn’t get any simpler than that! According to Queensland Parks and Wildlife "the good natural food that dingoes find on Fraser Island and the energy they use to patrol their territories, hunt, mate and generally live from day to day, means they are naturally lean. They tell all visitors not to be tricked into feeding a dingo because you think it looks hungry. Some leaner dingoes may be juveniles just starting out on their own or, if older, may be subordinate animals in the pack hierarchy." You are not doing them - or fellow visitors in the national park - any favours by feeding them.<br />
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<b>3 Stay on Track:</b> From a guest perspective, our company’s commitment is to provide a unique and memorable ecotourism experience. Our resort Ranger team and tour guides (for <a href="http://www.fraserexplorertours.com.au/" target="_blank">Fraser Explorer Tours</a> and <a href="http://www.cooldingotour.com/" target="_blank">Cool Dingo Tours</a>) are passionate about the island and go to great lengths to tell visitors to stay on the designated pathways and tracks (there’s plenty of interpretive signage on the island to give you more information). Not only do you minimise your risk of injury, but you preserve natural settings, do less damage to the fragile eco-systems and won’t contribute to erosion problems.<br />
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There’s plenty of <a href="http://www.fraserisland.net/" target="_blank">Fraser Island </a>to love and by modifying our behaviour, we’ll ensure it’s kept pristine for future generations. Until next time, tree-huggers, this is Ranger J signing off.<br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-25.2663148 153.15608529999997 -25.2663148 153.15608529999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-11574786893367253532015-05-20T12:39:00.000+10:002015-06-10T09:12:58.679+10:00May's Migrants Make All Kinds Of Tracks To Our Island<div class="MsoNormal">
Now here’s something to tweet about! Our winter migrants are on their way and our
resident Ranger Twitchers and Whale Watchers are ready to welcome them with
open arms to Fraser island’s sandy shores. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTnjkR7gHZdAlyg1j9rd_hsJoQNDTpH1ZXUyI51QgczDlQWqOk1GfNWOprb__YMN_ImoNkh2DVesH3i6SCXpjmOr_-r7x5CtjX00rtB2ePjXh-M5_PJr2sGScfklDpVJbnS0wfmgOgT6-/s1600/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTnjkR7gHZdAlyg1j9rd_hsJoQNDTpH1ZXUyI51QgczDlQWqOk1GfNWOprb__YMN_ImoNkh2DVesH3i6SCXpjmOr_-r7x5CtjX00rtB2ePjXh-M5_PJr2sGScfklDpVJbnS0wfmgOgT6-/s640/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Putting the WOW into whale watching. Whale Watching officially starts from1 August.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.whalewatch.com.au/" target="_blank">Hervey Bay's famous Humpback whales </a><i>(Megatera
novaengliae)</i> are on the move - slightly earlier than usual – with just over two months
until we start our official whale watching season from <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort. </a> Meanwhile, if you’re headed our way over the
next few months, you’re likely to see surface behaviours - like breaching and
tail slapping - beyond the shorebreak on 75-Mile Beach. </div>
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Here at the resort, we Rangers think Fraser Island’s sea and
shorebirds are a fabulous feature of any island stay – they occupy a range of
habitats in and around our creeks, estuaries and island foreshores - and all just
a stone’s throw from Kingfisher Bay. If you're a bird nut, like us, feel free to join us on our regular <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities.html" target="_blank">Ranger-guided early morning bird walks</a> - you'll find all the details in our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/images/brochures/whatson.pdf" target="_blank">What's On Guide.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6WjkADeFDbUpGJh2cGwWY5xcet6rPV7vwoJsP0muvP9chikOTDbgAwPZTcJ5fG522yVh2lXAcVVSUk2obACbpSzp7Kdwbzql_lhAi1tQjqgCUmNyaN5mhT69q9MUlz3QwLR-XSAy69mp/s1600/Far-Eastern-Curlew_BH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6WjkADeFDbUpGJh2cGwWY5xcet6rPV7vwoJsP0muvP9chikOTDbgAwPZTcJ5fG522yVh2lXAcVVSUk2obACbpSzp7Kdwbzql_lhAi1tQjqgCUmNyaN5mhT69q9MUlz3QwLR-XSAy69mp/s320/Far-Eastern-Curlew_BH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)</td></tr>
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This month we're talking birds because May 10 marked <a href="http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/about" target="_blank"><b>World Migratory Bird Day</b></a> so it’s a great time
to chat about our wonderful bird life on island. The theme for this year’s <i>World Migratory
Bird Day</i> was all about energy and how to make it bird-friendly. Habitat loss,
electrocution and collisions with infrastructure are just some of the man-made
problems that threaten migratory bird species.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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You may not be aware, but Fraser Island acts as a transition zone
between tropical and sub-tropical areas.
In fact, the Great Sandy Strait—from Dayman Point – Sandy Point (near
Hervey Bay) to Tin Can Bay in the south—<a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/what-is-protected/wetlands" target="_blank">is a RAMSAR wetland of international importance.</a> It has been declared a shorebird designated area within the marine
park to protect resting migratory shorebirds.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>DID YOU KNOW that
long distance migratory birds must gain significant weight – for their annual
migration? All sea and shorebirds must
rest and feed to replenish their energy levels.
Please given them a wide berth if you see them whilst you’re out and
about on island.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cIP21FxyteIzajQHJ1EHjryRZqxGVtWSao7WguTGdu9xya8u-YHK5Ryi5X2if4foze76i7bgXypTbKb5gjpUdkLpKmTferSIHaO7LPNdY_UjzCyG8jlCuc_dtZd3leSZOX3KAvsQAEyT/s1600/WallumRocketFrog+NickP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cIP21FxyteIzajQHJ1EHjryRZqxGVtWSao7WguTGdu9xya8u-YHK5Ryi5X2if4foze76i7bgXypTbKb5gjpUdkLpKmTferSIHaO7LPNdY_UjzCyG8jlCuc_dtZd3leSZOX3KAvsQAEyT/s320/WallumRocketFrog+NickP.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted! A Wallum Rocket Frog on Fraser Island.</td></tr>
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The resort grounds are also home to specially adapted frogs –
like the Wallum Rocket Frog <i>(Litoria
freycineti)</i> that reside in the wallum heath at the front of the
resort’s hotel wings and Centre Complex and are able to tolerate the mildly
acidic waters. For those that can’t
identify their “ribbits” from their “croaks” in the cloak of darkness, we’ve
got a great solution for you.<br />
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In recent ‘ribbiting’ news for nature lovers, James Cook University
scientists have developed a frog-spotting smart phone app that can identify a
frog by its individual call. <a href="http://www.ugmedia.com.au/field-guides/frogs-of-australia" target="_blank">The eGuide</a> app also gives the user descriptions of the amphibians, location maps and
photographs. And best of all, nearly all
238 of Australia’s known frog species are included! Happy spotting! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, it’s been an action-packed May with wildlife galore and
the promise of more migrating holidaymakers over the coming months. Please remember
to give our migratory birds their resting space and enjoy your time on the
world’s biggest sand island. Catch you
next time, tree huggers.<br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-34404276897144479322015-04-27T13:32:00.000+10:002015-04-29T14:06:04.361+10:00Autumn’s Endless Summer In Paradise <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's barely Autumn and Humpback Whales <i>(Megaptera novaeangliae)</i> have already been spotted off the New South Wales coastline as they migrate north to the warmer Whitsunday waters and by our eagle-eyed Air Fraser Island pilots on the eastern side of the island – heralding that winter (and the start of our Humpback Whale Watching season on 1 August) is not far away. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGqU7KKmvoX8NfZiTu5urgnx-0aID5WLw1pXCcm5hYbzfaXjVhtnxFsMPzcPRauuBnmt4fP-X8NtBif82C1hKrpUWwNK7_yoSSufT1lZZzMR6rETrQvrWmli3avJObuF3OwfdeKBFYwGd/s1600/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+RG+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGqU7KKmvoX8NfZiTu5urgnx-0aID5WLw1pXCcm5hYbzfaXjVhtnxFsMPzcPRauuBnmt4fP-X8NtBif82C1hKrpUWwNK7_yoSSufT1lZZzMR6rETrQvrWmli3avJObuF3OwfdeKBFYwGd/s1600/Humpback+Whale+Fraser+Island+RG+(2).jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">They're big, they're blue and they're on the move... Humpbacks have been spotted by our Air Island Fraser pilots</span></td></tr>
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Climate change debate has the ability to polarise, but according to a recent report in <a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/why-queensland-summers-are-getting-longer/story-fnkt21jb-1227299290699" target="_blank">The Courier Mail,</a> Queensland seasons are all out of whack with figures showing summer is starting earlier, lasting longer and stretching into autumn.<br />
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By-in-large, our temperatures have been above average in the last month and, according to the paper’s Environment Reporter, Brian Williams, Scientists have reported that the late onset of winter – followed by an early start to spring – is becoming the norm.<br />
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<b>DID YOU KNOW: The resort runs a <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/our-community/item/329-kingfisher-launches-conservation-credit-scheme.html" target="_blank">Conservation Credit Scheme </a>to help reduce our carbon emissions? Guests, who choose NOT to have their room linen changed, will earn credits that can reduce the costs of their tours or spa treatments. Conference, Meetings and Incentive Guests are automatically part of our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/our-community/item/254-our-carbon-neutral-conferencing-program.html" target="_blank">Carbon Neutral Conference program</a>, which also aims to reduce their footprint on our environment.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuufcHcDp6G56k7zOD1AFg4uQJq2ZhT_7XTLBtKr_lngMkdDyliUk1mkOPKrZhQ0CoOMEXEU62m4ivF0VoEWidAe033prsb24Ny1jk_nzG2aHM3VPkxIQQP_lVCyCczF0O3wXHIOwWmLjl/s1600/LakeMcKenzie+FraserIsland+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuufcHcDp6G56k7zOD1AFg4uQJq2ZhT_7XTLBtKr_lngMkdDyliUk1mkOPKrZhQ0CoOMEXEU62m4ivF0VoEWidAe033prsb24Ny1jk_nzG2aHM3VPkxIQQP_lVCyCczF0O3wXHIOwWmLjl/s1600/LakeMcKenzie+FraserIsland+(3).JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget being blue, try being green on Fraser Island</td></tr>
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Whilst endless summers are the stuff that holiday-makers dream of, have you ever wondered what can you do to help reduce the effects of climate change? Here on island, we are always looking for ways to reduce impact and, as technology changes, we are looking at cost effective ways we can change.<br />
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<b>1. GREEN YOUR DRIVE:</b> On Fraser, we encourage guests to join our eco-accredited group tours, which use fuel efficient vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and emissions – it’s one of the reasons we were awarded <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/our-community/item/253-a-green-leader-advanced-eco-tourism-accreditation.html" target="_blank">‘Green Leader’ status by EcoTourism Australia.</a> Or, if you’re self-driving, consider 4WD pooling with your mates.<br />
<b><br />2. BE ENERGY EFFICIENT:</b> Kingfisher was one of the first resort’s to install energy efficient room card technology, so that non-essential power could be shut off when guests weren’t in room – it’s an easy way you can help. The resort’s architectural design allows for minimal power requirements. In summer, windows and vents are kept open to generate the induction of cool air from the lower level and expel warmer air through loft vents. In winter, windows and vents are closed to create a glasshouse effect, trapping warm air inside the building.<br />
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<div>
<b>3. BE AWARE OF YOUR IMPACT:</b> When the resort was built, impact on the dunal system was minimised as resort buildings were floated on piles sunk up to 16 metres. You can help reduce impact by throwing your waste in the bin/dumps provided and by walking on paths and driving on existing tracks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAKUOvvVKy4wzQ9-opBnOdA3KLtGsgsWDUg0SFevk6qhQnY0qsI_0h2lxUDvpNXGTXiR0cbKqftBbea0CTcPaptI0DJzDFZ74K5ZXBrD_xurpnin_jxk1DuszwYnTr2ywvP7z3uXJoWFC/s1600/1600+piles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAKUOvvVKy4wzQ9-opBnOdA3KLtGsgsWDUg0SFevk6qhQnY0qsI_0h2lxUDvpNXGTXiR0cbKqftBbea0CTcPaptI0DJzDFZ74K5ZXBrD_xurpnin_jxk1DuszwYnTr2ywvP7z3uXJoWFC/s1600/1600+piles.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles of piles... here's how the architects ensured Kingfisher Bay sits lightly on the land...</td></tr>
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<b>4. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT:</b> The resort minimises waste production through reducing resource use, environmentally responsible purchasing, recycling, reusing materials and, for example, placing refillable soap and shampoo dispensers in resort bathrooms thus eliminating packaging. Paper, glass, aluminium, tin and plastics are recycled.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/special-events/item/560-22-26-may-2014-14th-annual-fraser-island-clean-up.html" target="_blank">As tree huggers, we’re eternally grateful to the fabulous Four Wheel Drive Clubs of Queensland who come every year to help us clean up the mess that litter bugs leave behind or that gets washed in from the ocean.</a></div>
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<b><br />5. RECYCLE: </b>An onsite worm farm turns the resort's sewerage sludge, waste paper and kitchen preparation scraps into compost for a herb garden, which supplies the resort's kitchen. Waste minimisation programs, green purchasing and green product programs round out our environmental program.<br />
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<b>Want to know more? </b>Join one of our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/our-community/item/251-interpretation-of-the-environment-at-resort-level.html" target="_blank">Ranger-guided eco walks, talks or paddles </a>and learn a bit more about our fragile island backyard. There’s even a<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/fraser-activities/junior-eco-rangers.html" target="_blank"> Junior Eco Rangers program</a> with some fun educational stuff for the kids. That’s it from us, tree-huggers.<br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-35741827054422567422015-04-25T10:00:00.000+10:002015-04-29T14:05:52.516+10:00April's Anzac Day Commemorations On Fraser Island <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Today marks a special time in Australian history and we're publishing an extra special blog to commemorate our fallen soliders for Anzac Day.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6z99VbzeGFZm52A8wIuq-eyOIU7WhN1mDPhHIrhS6MXByM0-ER90pzflsvm6g5_WHFbrYWXyfkrwYPXQE9kfIZBf8H81MaIXhm6M_IvEtXEoONRKuBw-j1WDwaFI1uksBGPnf9HgIC7L/s1600/Stary+Night+&+Milky+Way+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6z99VbzeGFZm52A8wIuq-eyOIU7WhN1mDPhHIrhS6MXByM0-ER90pzflsvm6g5_WHFbrYWXyfkrwYPXQE9kfIZBf8H81MaIXhm6M_IvEtXEoONRKuBw-j1WDwaFI1uksBGPnf9HgIC7L/s1600/Stary+Night+&+Milky+Way+2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Starry, starry night. The Milky Way above Kingfisher Bay.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">April/May is a spectacular time of year on Fraser Island and the clear
night skies make for some fantastic star-gazing – which our international
visitors and our city dwellers never fail to appreciate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These days there are plenty of smart phone apps available like Star Map
or Star Gaze, which will help you find your way around the night sky, or ask
our Rangers to point out the Southern Cross or Milky way as we head out on our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/guided-walks.html" target="_blank">guided night walks</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>DID YOU KNOW that<br />Fraser Island was the secret training ground for special commando troops during World War II as they trained for operations behind enemy lines? It's absolutely true!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On island, these transitional months of March through May sees an
influx of bird and marine life and subtle changes in our fauna. It's also fabulous for walkers and hikers who travel from all parts of the
globe to try their hand at our <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-fraser-island/about.html" target="_blank">Fraser Island Great Walk trails</a> in the
national park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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For those that prefer shorter walks, there is plenty of medium/easy level, self-guided walks in and around the resort grounds – including a historical walk to the remains of the old <a href="http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-06/secret-z-special-unit-wwii-training-captured-on-film/6371730" target="_blank">Z-Special Commando School, </a>which is particularly poignant as we head towards the Anzac centenary later this month.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, Saturday, 25 April 2015 – ANZAC Day - will mark one hundred years of
remembrance for the Australian and New Zealand soldiers that served and died in
WW1. This year, our famous SS Maheno shipwreck will play a pivotal role
in the ANZAC Day centenary commemorations on island on Anzac Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhJbuORAYdncelPz2nfa25RXt-_o2qBagai5S6JskkjDiQMYGNAik_PhCoxgJjJWWxDa7322ibWG5sMiGrHhcTcYH8TjgfKrEf9RYTKwry6ZspFPWhoTUpFJoasTTjvQa1bBMnkB6elSz/s1600/TheSSMaheno+152615+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhJbuORAYdncelPz2nfa25RXt-_o2qBagai5S6JskkjDiQMYGNAik_PhCoxgJjJWWxDa7322ibWG5sMiGrHhcTcYH8TjgfKrEf9RYTKwry6ZspFPWhoTUpFJoasTTjvQa1bBMnkB6elSz/s1600/TheSSMaheno+152615+web.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The SS Maheno will take centre stage on 75-Mile Beach this Anzac Day</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Originally built as a luxury cruise liner operating on the trans-Tasman
run between Australia and New Zealand. As World War I broke out, the liner was
converted to a hospital ship and, some four months after the Gallipoli campaign
started, was anchored offshore and served as a floating hospital for thousands
of Australian and several hundred New Zealand soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When ANZACS were transferred to the French western front, the Maheno was
there to transport soldiers from particularly bloody battles in Fromelles and
Somme. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With ANZAC centenary celebration planning underway, the folks at Rotary
have stepped in to fund the passage of seven school children, their families
and teachers, from the tiny New Zealand town of Maheno, who will bring the
original ship's bell across the Tasman. A replica will ring during a special <a href="http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/bell-rings-in-anzac-event/2613186/" target="_blank">ANZAC ceremony on April 25</a> and another will
be given to the Maritime Museum in Brisbane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lest we forget.</span></div>
Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-61692732481882761342015-03-16T09:00:00.000+10:002015-03-30T15:58:20.794+10:00Graffiti On Gums, Dingo Dating And A Cockatoo Or Two!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.fraserisland.net/" target="_blank">FRASER ISLAND:</a> March... it’s that time of year again when Dingo
romance fills the air and the annual mating season begins on the world’s
largest sand island.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">During Autumn, visitors to the island can expect to see Dingoes (</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Canis dingo</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">) showing dominance, scent marking and protecting their territory
on island.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And, as we head towards the
Easter holiday peak, we advise would-be visitors to take the time to familiarise themselves
with <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/pdf/be-dingo-safe-flyer.pdf" target="_blank">Queensland Parks’ Dingo Safety Tips </a>ahead of their visit to the Great Sandy
National Park.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxNXJv7SOEQhAjqeCCGV0CaSUgtcHNlNfLj57EvYztZufxCI9lohBXG-KTFilZigKLQH4nTOdJHBzkBxPg8bNI04di_va0eI_c1ylJg7zo52WUHnS2_r7ECxaivr4l8-0x9RYU53W9jZA/s1600/EurongDingoShot+Facebook+Paul+Forrester+-+we+don't%2Bhave%2Bpermission%2Bto%2Buse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxNXJv7SOEQhAjqeCCGV0CaSUgtcHNlNfLj57EvYztZufxCI9lohBXG-KTFilZigKLQH4nTOdJHBzkBxPg8bNI04di_va0eI_c1ylJg7zo52WUHnS2_r7ECxaivr4l8-0x9RYU53W9jZA/s1600/EurongDingoShot+Facebook+Paul+Forrester+-+we+don't%2Bhave%2Bpermission%2Bto%2Buse.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Fraser Dingo Photo: Paul Forrester</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">DID YOU KNOW Fraser
Island’s Dingo population have significant conservation value because they have
rarely bred with domestic or feral dogs? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
beautiful Fraser Island Dingoes are very different to domestic dogs (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>) in that they only come into season once a
year (during Autumn) compared to the domestic dogs ability to come into season
at least twice a year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Consequently, the
population fluctuates throughout the year and numbers peak with dingo pup
births from June to August. The latest Dingo
census data suggests the island is home to 25-30 packs – each containing
between 3 and 12 animals… although we have to stress that it is possible to
visit Fraser and not catch a glimpse of these elusive animals.<br />
<b><br />
OUR TOP TIPS: Both <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort</a> (to the west) and <a href="http://www.eurong.com.au/" target="_blank">Eurong Beach Resort</a>
(on the surf side) are surrounded by Dingo fences. Please remember to keep
gates shut if you’re exiting out onto the beach or into the National Park. And remember, feeding dingoes disturbs their natural ecological balance - there are hefty fines for those that ignore the rules.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKqqryBKtBCXas1rZ2FPVV1ydIsUD4Qrv3u9EWWA0EZjXM2nNP5mmv_Sjec1Hg9ERxkaEJltiM0Ae96Oj7-I4QcCWdAxMPXMxyi6Bn70YAZnRTnnOPG6TkXiqdBavlvdWDu18CXw6EbrT/s1600/Fraser+Island+Dingo+-+Copyright+Troy+Geltch+-+do+not+use+without+permission+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKqqryBKtBCXas1rZ2FPVV1ydIsUD4Qrv3u9EWWA0EZjXM2nNP5mmv_Sjec1Hg9ERxkaEJltiM0Ae96Oj7-I4QcCWdAxMPXMxyi6Bn70YAZnRTnnOPG6TkXiqdBavlvdWDu18CXw6EbrT/s1600/Fraser+Island+Dingo+-+Copyright+Troy+Geltch+-+do+not+use+without+permission+(3).jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingoes on 75-Mile Beach Photo: Troy Geltch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RANGER FACT: Dingoes have an interesting dominance hierarchy where an alpha
male and female take their place at the top of an established pack. This
dominant pair is generally the only successful breeders, leaving the subordinate
members to assist in rearing the young. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Following mating, a relatively short gestation period of around nine
weeks (similar to domestic cats and dogs) takes place, eventuating in the birth
of around 4-6 pups.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From one Australian icon to another… a glorious flock of
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cacatua
galerita - </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">see left</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">) has been enjoying (maybe a little too much) the many species of
Eucalypts on island. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLsDRI4aFHPh2sC6L8u2yA9PgJc1_iBp0aqmv_zO7aXp714eOuQYR4MS-3BlXlNha3IIOMju102wKooOv4BAbH8l7C9kknaQhlzwIrOfdV7PLPB5-qYdf16603mAVEBYyBgDghxsTee0B/s1600/Sulphur+Crested+Cockatoo+Cacatua+galerita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLsDRI4aFHPh2sC6L8u2yA9PgJc1_iBp0aqmv_zO7aXp714eOuQYR4MS-3BlXlNha3IIOMju102wKooOv4BAbH8l7C9kknaQhlzwIrOfdV7PLPB5-qYdf16603mAVEBYyBgDghxsTee0B/s1600/Sulphur+Crested+Cockatoo+Cacatua+galerita.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo At Kingfisher Bay </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Close to the resort, you can expect to
see the Scribbly Gum (</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Eucalyptus racemosa </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- see below</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">),
which is easily identifiable by the graffiti-like scribbles from the Scribbly Gum moth
larvae tunnelling their way through the bark to feed
on the gum underneath; our distinctive Paperbarks (</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Melalucia alternifolia</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">), which contains the magical anti-bacterial
properties of Tea-tree oil found within its leaves; and the simply beautiful
Smooth-barked Apple (</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Angophora costata</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">),
which lights up the Eucalpyt forest with its rusty-stained bark and iridescent
green leaves.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-VYbNFbvbXP4_z9TbhKM1EVuxKM_Di7BIvBZEZCa_HN7S0beFLnHhzPrt5cIGXGDWNvHf62TRA2VqY9rZLyRjkRiognrE-uINyzMBAm7CKf_lNx3wWi4AfKpADQFTDWCZoMhP7KR9E-J/s1600/Darwin+september2010+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-VYbNFbvbXP4_z9TbhKM1EVuxKM_Di7BIvBZEZCa_HN7S0beFLnHhzPrt5cIGXGDWNvHf62TRA2VqY9rZLyRjkRiognrE-uINyzMBAm7CKf_lNx3wWi4AfKpADQFTDWCZoMhP7KR9E-J/s1600/Darwin+september2010+093.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scribbly Gum Pic: GoingFeralOneDayAtATime.Com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sulphur-crested Cockatoos have been messily feasting on the seeds
from our Eucalypt species above as well as berries and nuts from other trees
around our front yard Cockatoos are an
Aussie icon, grow to around 48-55 centimetres and can weigh up to a kilo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You’ll
easily identify these ones by their bright yellow crest and a raucous squawk (<a href="http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacatua-galerita" target="_blank">follow this link to Birds in Backyards and scroll down to the right hand side</a>) as they
fly around the grounds - they are very hard to miss. Due to their size and rambunctious nature
they often make quite the mess whilst they bite off branches and leaves - not because
they’re hungry, but to keep their bills from growing too large.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All in all it’s been a great few weeks on island and we’ve
had fantastic weather to boot. The team here are looking forward to seeing what
April brings and, if you’re headed our way, <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/special-events/item/549-25-april-2015-anzac-day.html" target="_blank">here’s a sneak preview of what to expect on Anzac Day</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-32658710578970330872015-03-03T10:27:00.002+10:002015-03-03T15:07:29.083+10:00 Soldier Crabs And Natural Toad Busters: We’re Shaping Up For An Action-Packed Autumn<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<b>Today (March 3) is <a href="http://www.wildlifeday.org/" target="_blank">World Wildlife Day</a>, so we're publishing this blog a little earlier that usual to honour all our weird and wonderful wildlife in our backyard...</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb548VcKJbcqezpwfPBGy3SMo6LaktIuKpTiVHY0qZrnl1Y7b7zrGUclZIfFI8hlDg4RgIbKM57dqzZO-Sv15Rh7Y1cZlGFhVVrH5NpaxWRjYSiVwInqwsdZ-DflFmbE2F7eoSHReHRKI/s1600/Fraser-Island-Space+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb548VcKJbcqezpwfPBGy3SMo6LaktIuKpTiVHY0qZrnl1Y7b7zrGUclZIfFI8hlDg4RgIbKM57dqzZO-Sv15Rh7Y1cZlGFhVVrH5NpaxWRjYSiVwInqwsdZ-DflFmbE2F7eoSHReHRKI/s1600/Fraser-Island-Space+(5).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lake McKenzie one day after TC Marcia crossed the Queensland coast at Yeppoon Pic: Ranger Gaz</span></td></tr>
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Autumn has arrived Tree huggers and <a href="http://www.fraserisland.net/" target="_blank">Fraser Island</a> has come alive as the southerly breezes roll in and the wet season departs. We’re pleased to report that last month’s Tropical Cyclone Marcia – which hit the headlines worldwide and crossed the Queensland coast at Yeppoon, some 435 kilometres (or a 5 hour drive) to the north of Hervey Bay - scooted around us and did not leave a noticeable footprint on our shores.<br />
<br />
In and around the resort this month, our staff and guests continue to be inspired by some of our smallest critters which we have discovered on <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/guided-walks.html" target="_blank">our daily walks/talks out and about on the island</a> – so we hope you enjoy the read.<br />
<br />
Guests on our guided walks are always blown away by the sheer quantity of blue-tinged Soldier Crabs <i>(Mictyris longicarpus)</i> that habitually appear in immense numbers in the inter-tidal zone along the foreshore of the western beach. These crabs are so named because the males patrol the beach at low tide in large armies walking forwards - not sideways like other species of crabs including the Ghost Crabs <i>(Ocypode cordimana)</i>, Sand Bubbler Crabs<i> (Scopimera inflata) </i>and Orange-clawed Fiddler Crabs <i>(Uca vomeris),</i> which are also found right here on Fraser Island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UafvZZCMfp8H8TL-jMmrQaRuJT8rf5-pA5mL47ewEKtpXn1CQ9W16Gt5QXtijlpoekgE2K23CwupDhyphenhyphenZep1AzQTzFkv8KtXIIGFcFkSWKU-CQKfZQ55YtEZFgNRnG1pWDqzB1t31mZJ8/s1600/Soldier+Crabs,+Western+Beach,+Fraser+Island+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UafvZZCMfp8H8TL-jMmrQaRuJT8rf5-pA5mL47ewEKtpXn1CQ9W16Gt5QXtijlpoekgE2K23CwupDhyphenhyphenZep1AzQTzFkv8KtXIIGFcFkSWKU-CQKfZQ55YtEZFgNRnG1pWDqzB1t31mZJ8/s1600/Soldier+Crabs,+Western+Beach,+Fraser+Island+(9).JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone Solider Crab on the western beach of Fraser</td></tr>
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<b>DID YOU KNOW Soldier Crabs feed on detritus (organic matter produced by the decomposition of organisms) and microorganisms in the sand?</b> They do this by travelling across the beach at low tide and by using their claws bring sand up to their mouth – a process which leaves round pellets on the beach behind them.<br />
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When the feeding’s done; the tide rises; or if spooked, the crabs bury themselves in a corkscrew fashion under the sand in essentially a sand cocoon with enough room for air and a sand cap on top for added protection against predators such as migratory wader birds and rays. <br />
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A stone’s throw from the beach, and we have been under attack in our <i>Wallum heath</i> by the villainous feral <a href="http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/pestsweeds/canetoad.mp3" target="_blank">Cane Toad (<i>Rhinella marina</i>)</a> – a species that is native to Central and South America and was introduced into Australia to control the native grey-backed cane beetle which were destroying sugar crops. Since their release, feral toads have bred rapidly and have fast become pests in their own right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblhQZ-x34SZdSSL_SJGOzPsbkNVKSOPi-ASb_DjKA5sGgXVORUiYMYqIltLB3FurD9XUMtLVKmbT9K_QwF_Ojki6K8jO2y5pQ2Rfk76uSuPbAkQW0tWK__zGRYexAU9OuuAqjEaS7a5FZ/s1600/camilletravels.wordpress.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblhQZ-x34SZdSSL_SJGOzPsbkNVKSOPi-ASb_DjKA5sGgXVORUiYMYqIltLB3FurD9XUMtLVKmbT9K_QwF_Ojki6K8jO2y5pQ2Rfk76uSuPbAkQW0tWK__zGRYexAU9OuuAqjEaS7a5FZ/s1600/camilletravels.wordpress.com.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cane Toad Pic: camilletravels.wordpress.com</td></tr>
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<b>FERAL FACT: According to Wikipedia, the long-term effects of toads on the Australian environment are difficult to determine, however effects include the depletion of native species that die eating cane toads; the poisoning of pets and humans; depletion of native fauna preyed on by cane toads; and reduced prey populations for native insectivores, such as skinks.</b><br />
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In news that has the scientific community on their toady toes, a group of scientists from the University of Sydney have been <a href="http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/a-scientific-trial-using-cane-toad-venom-against-t/2554645/" target="_blank">trialling a new eradication program at Waddy Point on Fraser Island</a> - using the cane toads’ venom against their spawn aims to stop the breeding cycle. Cane Toad tadpoles are attracted by the venom and are caught in traps – researchers caught up to 10,000 a day - whilst native tadpoles are repelled by the venom and hop the other way.<br />
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The scientists say results have been excellent and that this novel approach could hold the key to completely eradicating this pest in our island backyard. Until this happens, we have our very own superhero to help thwart this dastardly foe - the one and only <a href="http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Reptiles/Snakes/Common+and+dangerous+species/Freshwater+Snake+Keelback+Snake#.VPPi0fmUeZM" target="_blank">Keelback or Freshwater Snake <i>(Tropidonophis mairii</i>)</a>. This very mild-mannered, non-venomous snake is a part of the Colubridae family of ‘rear fanged’ snakes which includes a couple of other island residents - the Brown Tree Snake or ‘Night Tiger’ <i>(Boiga irregularis</i>), and the Common or Green Tree Snake (<i>Dendrelaphis punctulata</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Xw7bHtC7dzXfRWBer36eyrLxDXV8oE-ChaES4PBbtrqaLGzAJrjJymg8Xg7PtCQpeEBzA-bMcczPwg1YKsGf9G-scJyJvWaGvYuV5mih_HhMSwi_qlYxFvSgxnuQqON4d4Oy2pFtDh_/s1600/keelbackSM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Xw7bHtC7dzXfRWBer36eyrLxDXV8oE-ChaES4PBbtrqaLGzAJrjJymg8Xg7PtCQpeEBzA-bMcczPwg1YKsGf9G-scJyJvWaGvYuV5mih_HhMSwi_qlYxFvSgxnuQqON4d4Oy2pFtDh_/s1600/keelbackSM2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keelbacks eat toads and frogs. Pic: canetoadsinoz.com</td></tr>
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Rarely seen around the resort, you’ll find Keelbacks in well-watered habitats near creeks or in low lying areas on Fraser Island as well as along the eastern and northern coasts of Queensland.<br />
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What we love is that this species has become a true unsung hero of Fraser Island - and Queensland for that matter - as they are one of the only native snake species to have a tolerance to the bufotoxin, which Cane Toads produce from glands along their backs and behind their eyes. This, of course, has allowed them to successfully prey upon our island feral Cane Toads and help control population numbers.<br />
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As you can see, it’s been an action-packed last month and, <a href="http://instagram.com/kingfisherbayresort" target="_blank">if you’re an environmental nerd like us, or just have a natural curiosity for nature – then we definitely have something here on Fraser Island to pique your interest.</a> Until next time fellow eco-enthusiasts, this is Ranger Aaron signing off from <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort</a>.<br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-35824768945479601652015-02-11T08:09:00.000+10:002015-03-05T09:31:41.313+10:00 February: Love Is In The Wallum And All Around Us On Fraser Island<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioxdqrG1_gwAvWQyD4ob9O6pgGD1ZAiJRXhD4mQh5TIpnub74fTu7fd7GzX7VYMtZfC5xNppLUeZauKMcRCNLg7vlchLgdzBrHf-b5DoQgnZhCZok9t0WbtTThukDyqdzmQMkkjflM10f/s1600/Valentines-Day-Caters-NewsAgency-+Lake-McKenzie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioxdqrG1_gwAvWQyD4ob9O6pgGD1ZAiJRXhD4mQh5TIpnub74fTu7fd7GzX7VYMtZfC5xNppLUeZauKMcRCNLg7vlchLgdzBrHf-b5DoQgnZhCZok9t0WbtTThukDyqdzmQMkkjflM10f/s1600/Valentines-Day-Caters-NewsAgency-+Lake-McKenzie.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heart-shaped Lake Mckenzie. Pic: Caters News Agency</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.fraserisland.net/" target="_blank">Fraser Island</a> is a haven for nature lovers and, with February 14 just around the corner, it seems our amorous Short-beaked Echidnas <i>(Tachyglossus aculeatus</i>) are taking full advantage of Cupid’s bow with lovelorn males seeking out female company in the wallum scrub. On the Great Sandy Strait, an algae bloom hotspot has become a fish feeding magnet which the Hervey Bay fishing industry - and lovers of fresh seafood - is enjoying. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_jqNeTUlzFRiVa-Lf_2KsQ_Vd7VGodfwlq6TdrN8fjX-rhRiANT6l8MW9RJdEUVU3qCs_Hts2uuiJOJ8XuXtYrWEZxgt0P9TbAzyMK-rB5Tgz8C2WQbFzXSG6qbrAPzj1lzgUQQCgzj1/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_jqNeTUlzFRiVa-Lf_2KsQ_Vd7VGodfwlq6TdrN8fjX-rhRiANT6l8MW9RJdEUVU3qCs_Hts2uuiJOJ8XuXtYrWEZxgt0P9TbAzyMK-rB5Tgz8C2WQbFzXSG6qbrAPzj1lzgUQQCgzj1/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers are helping our Loggerheads survive on Fraser</td></tr>
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And, on the northern most tip of Fraser, our endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle (<i>Caretta caretta</i>) nests are being purged and the eggs/hatchlings are being lovingly cared for by the volunteers - under the direction of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Rangers. <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/special-events/item/546-14-february-spend-valentine-s-day-on-fraser-island.html" target="_blank">All in all, Valentine’s month is a lover-ly time to be on Fraser.</a><br />
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<b>DID YOU KNOW that the Loggerhead Turtle eggs need to be transported in their original north-south alignment if they are shifted more than one hour after they have been laid? </b><b>If this doesn’t happen, the egg contents detach from the shell and become infertile. Volunteers mark the eggs with the depth they were found, the number of eggs in the nest and the alignment (this magnetic field allows the turtle to return to its birthplace to mate and lay its own eggs).</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfband Snake Eel. Pic: Australian Museum</td></tr>
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In our front yard, <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort </a>guests and staff often glimpse tiny eel-like creatures (about 30cm long with a cream body and brownish and yellow blotches) swimming along the surface of the water at the end of the jetty and come and ask us what they are. <br />
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The best answers we’ve heard are baby sea snakes or miniature Moray Eels (<i>Muraenidae are a family of Cosmopolitan eels</i>), but we’re busting those myths right here today and can in fact confirm that these elusive creatures are actually known as <a href="http://australianmuseum.net.au/movie/halfband-snake-eel-malvoliophis-pinguis" target="_blank">Halfband Snake Eels <i>(Malvoliophis pinguis</i> - pictured left<i>)</i></a> and are one of several species of eels in the family <i>Ophichthidae</i>.<br />
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We’ve been able to identify them by the tiny brown spots around the head and their sharp little teeth – which sounds nasty, but they're harmless to humans. The Halfband Snake Eel is endemic to Australia, populating shallow waters from central QLD to southern NSW. They can be found hunting along the sea floor and can actually slither right under the sand during their search for food. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Li0Kmzbxa7SdGKkD5dU0dgGwigsrPx9aq9r3QRh1prWyr23POy4YZpfaMRP8M8z-GWQaURH9SqGrwdFpVmwY7hUvzwTjqBhK4PKRzPr2ZwMMZSKuYwx6CxGGY3zuSmR8QKTCYqLZ7zii/s1600/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Li0Kmzbxa7SdGKkD5dU0dgGwigsrPx9aq9r3QRh1prWyr23POy4YZpfaMRP8M8z-GWQaURH9SqGrwdFpVmwY7hUvzwTjqBhK4PKRzPr2ZwMMZSKuYwx6CxGGY3zuSmR8QKTCYqLZ7zii/s1600/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A splash of pink from this skink. Pic: Normf, Redbubble</td></tr>
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On our more formal <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/guided-walks.html" target="_blank">Ranger-guided walks</a> over the past month, we were delighted to spot two Pink-tongued Skinks (<i>Cyclodomorphus gerrardii</i>) slithering through the grass near the Sunset Beach. These skinks are similar in appearance to their more widely known cousins, the Blue-tongued Lizards (<i>Tiliqua scincoides</i>) – though the length of the tail is a dead giveaway. <br />
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Pink-tongued skinks have a very long tail - in fact, in the dark, we mistook the skinks for snakes at first - and they can grow up to around 30-40cm in length. As their name suggests, their mouth is pink (see pic above) and, when threatened, they open their mouth, inflate their bodies and make hissing noises to warn off their attacker. The majority of their diet consists of slugs and snails and, unlike some large skinks; they can climb to retrieve their food.<br />
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The skinks share the island with one of the strangest animals we have on Fraser Island - our Short-beaked Echidnas (<i>Tachyglossus aculeatus</i>) - which belong to a group of mammals known as monotremes (a group including the Echidna and Platypus). As we alluded to in our intro, Echidnas are out in force this time of year and can sometimes be seen on the <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/night-spotlighting.html" target="_blank">Ranger-guided night walks</a> shuffling around in the undergrowth looking for insects (mainly ants and termites).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-7GmwUqyu1rofYuJ9qQxfg2_Wq9yuJBPtVCUESr32DySueZQawVhTQSH3Mf5d8uhIiCBDjH51LS7MZFlxV7jIUgD7-5-0ciKHlU6a8MOTSFOud1nYYUeblcUXd1PoXgPsNWcKBltyjmy/s1600/Echidna,+Fraser+Island+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-7GmwUqyu1rofYuJ9qQxfg2_Wq9yuJBPtVCUESr32DySueZQawVhTQSH3Mf5d8uhIiCBDjH51LS7MZFlxV7jIUgD7-5-0ciKHlU6a8MOTSFOud1nYYUeblcUXd1PoXgPsNWcKBltyjmy/s1600/Echidna,+Fraser+Island+(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted! A Short-beaked Echidna on one of our guided walks</td></tr>
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<b>RANGER FACT: Monotremes are quite different from other mammals because they have the ability to lay eggs. Echidnas lay a single leathery egg and carry this around in their pouch for about 10 days until the baby Echidna (known as a Puggle) emerges. </b><br />
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<b>The Puggle breaks out of the egg using an egg tooth and then continues to grow in the mother’s pouch for around three months. </b><br />
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<b>During this time, the Puggle is fed milk from the mother, but it is secreted by pores in the skin rather than a nipple. </b><b>Young Puggles develop a soft layer of hair and spines and, once they leave the pouch, remain protected in a burrow - sometimes up to a year - until ready to fend for themselves. </b><br />
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At Kingfisher Bay, our team are committed to spreading our environmental message - for example, on our jetty, we use <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/component/k2/item/247-popular-tangler-bins-go-offshore.html" target="_blank">Tangler bins for fisherfolk to dispose of their old lines</a> instead of them blowing into the ocean. This month we urge everyone to watch what you throw out and where - biodegradable bags may break down in soil, but they cause havoc in our oceans for animals like our Loggerhead Turtles. There’s an awesome campaign called <a href="http://www.take3.org.au/" target="_blank">Take 3</a>, which is encouraging Aussies to take three pieces of rubbish with them when they leave a beach or waterway, and we’re certainly encouraging that here on island. <br />
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Every little bit counts! Catch you next time, Tree Huggers. <br />
<br />Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-28999831484923428082015-01-19T12:21:00.003+10:002015-03-05T09:32:17.171+10:00It's Turtlely Awesome Visiting Fraser Island In SummerQUEENSLAND: Whilst Mon Repos, near Bundaberg, supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtle on the Eastern Australian mainland, the annual turtle season is also a wonderful time to visit Fraser Island, Hervey Bay and the surrounding coastal areas. <br />
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We’re certainly happy to be seeing a lot of sea turtles - Green Turtles (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>) and the endangered Loggerhead Turtles (<i>Caretta caretta</i>) - near the resort as they head off to lay their eggs on the northern end of Fraser (at the Sandy Cape turtle rookery) and at various spots along 75-Mile Beach on the island’s eastern side.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early Christmas present for @funfitwellness</td></tr>
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With this month's blog, we’re also paying homage to the <a href="http://instagram.com/kingfisherbayresort" target="_blank">super-talented Instagrammers who flood the site with gorgeous island pics on a daily basis</a>. Once such contributor, <i>@funfitwellness</i>, was lucky enough to spot this beautiful Loggerhead at the crack of dawn on Fraser’s 75-Mile Beach on Christmas morning and shared this gorgeous shot on Instagram. Now that’s what we call a cracker of a Christmas surprise!<br />
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What you may not know is that a female Loggerhead Turtle, like the one pictured, can lay around 125 ping pong ball-sized eggs per clutch – and this is after an exhausting journey up the beach to the sand dunes to dig out a nest above the high tide line with their back flippers.<br />
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The mother will then cover the nest up to prevent predators – like Fraser’s dingoes and goanna populations - from raiding them. On Fraser Island, mating usually starts in late October with the majority of baby turtles emerging between February and March.<br />
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<b>JUST A REMINDER to all visitors that four-wheel-drives are prohibited on the beach between South Ngkala Rocks and the Sandy Cape Lighthouse between 6pm and 6am from 15 November until 31 March annually as this beach is an important nesting area for our visiting marine turtles.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@darcnett - harmless Blue Buttons on the eastern beach</td></tr>
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Within the resort grounds, our Smooth-barked Apple trees (<i>Angophora costata</i>) have shed their old grey bark to reveal a fresh pink-orange coat and are in full bloom - this gorgeous display is perfect for our Instagrammers and photographers who flock to Fraser to capture awesome nature shots – <a href="http://www.shotbyrob.com.au/uncategorized/fraser-island-queenslands-best-kept-secret/" target="_blank">like Rob Annesley who visited us last year... we’re sure you’ll agree his photos are amazing.</a> If you’re visiting our shores, be sure to tag your photographs with #fraserisland and #kingfisherbay (or #frasertours if you’re taking a <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/fraser-island-tours/beauty-spots-tour.html" target="_blank">Beauty Spots off-road island tour</a> with us) as we’ll happily feature on our social sites - as we did recently with @darcnett's gorgeous jellyfish shot pictured right.<br />
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Around 354 different species of bird have been recorded on Fraser Island and, as Rangers, we are often asked if there are any Kingfishers around <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort</a>. The answer is an emphatic yes! In fact, we have several types of Kingfishers here including The Laughing Kookaburra (<i>Dacelo novaeguineae</i>), Azure Kingfisher (<i>Alcedo azurea</i>), Forest Kingfisher <i>(Todiramphus macleayii</i>) and Sacred Kingfisher (<i>Todiramphus sanctus</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDPN9ghaGquQ1t5UBANhJS79l8wq0t_daLd4MQKIf_edcvU0Cvoss5pBjJ9nf89ySfk61OHLnJwxzEjwv7Cp2OSKyNUW0RStwkeflMjVtAsM2mpugNwF5NIZw3xSFrNBVG1eFwO2wddXf/s1600/FullSizeRender+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDPN9ghaGquQ1t5UBANhJS79l8wq0t_daLd4MQKIf_edcvU0Cvoss5pBjJ9nf89ySfk61OHLnJwxzEjwv7Cp2OSKyNUW0RStwkeflMjVtAsM2mpugNwF5NIZw3xSFrNBVG1eFwO2wddXf/s1600/FullSizeRender+(3).jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@Louisehak spots a cheeky Kookaburra in the trees</td></tr>
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Undoubtedly, the most recognisable Kingfisher is The Laughing Kookaburra - whose loud call resembles a staccato-like cackle (<b><a href="http://www.freesound.org/people/ERH/sounds/57055/" target="_blank">kook-kook-kook-ka-ka-ka</a></b>). They are the largest Kingfisher in the area and are the most frequently seen (and heard) – particularly in the trees around our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/sand-bar.html" target="_blank">Sand Bar restaurant.</a><br />
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Other Kingfisher species on island are much smaller and we sometimes glimpse our turquoise and white coloured Sacred Kingfishers around the mangroves and paperbark forests where they spend time catching crustaceans, reptiles, insects and sometimes even fish.<br />
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Azure Kingfishers have darker blue features with a splash of vibrant orange underneath, and are more often seen around the Wallum heathlands as they search for shrimp and other dainties. In contrast, our Forest Kingfishers have striking blue and white plumage and a large white spot on the bill and, as the name suggests, can be found in open sclerophyll forests, near mangroves or our mirror lakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLlQiuMWUTooQig9vajHq7w64EBKfriJlIP4QyOD0irmG8XXoniIxbSxo86nDCKlnJ2DKHIwHOStd4atgtSpIzgkbPZB3f_ekVt3AjK4DbLCxErpno2ThnZszjkij12-gWB0vzqMIBUWw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLlQiuMWUTooQig9vajHq7w64EBKfriJlIP4QyOD0irmG8XXoniIxbSxo86nDCKlnJ2DKHIwHOStd4atgtSpIzgkbPZB3f_ekVt3AjK4DbLCxErpno2ThnZszjkij12-gWB0vzqMIBUWw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter @bryce_mcnickle snaps a pic of our baby guest</td></tr>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/p/xpXJqtDMDB/?modal=true" target="_blank">As the sun dips on Fraser</a>, probably the most commonly seen nocturnal bird we see is the Tawny Frogmouth (<i>Podargus strigoides</i>). Often mistaken for an owl, the Tawny Frogmouth is a species more closely related to the Nightjars and feeds mainly on insects, slugs, worms and snails. Their silver-grey mottled feathers provide excellent camouflage against the bark of trees and, when threatened, Frogmouths often extend their body out and raise their head so as to look as much like a branch as possible.<br />
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<b>RANGER FACT: Juvenile Tawny Frogmouths are often found on the ground when they are learning to fly under the watchful eyes of their parents. Always seek the advice of an accredited wildlife carer before handling/removing.</b><br />
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Recently, Nick from our housekeeping team spotted a tiny Frogmouth begging for food on the roadside near our villas and let the Rangers know. It had fallen from its nest in a nearby tree and was still much too young to fly. With no nest or parents in sight and, after consulting a wildlife carer, I fostered and nursed the baby until it could be passed on to a wildlife centre for rehabilitation – it was super hard not to become attached to that needy little ball of feathers pictured above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WB1jS_lDxf1SNoTBtDSJFOWAZ3cIJMqGpPVtvYYHphtJLVThn92WKc3j9pNh2wSI9IiSuqFk63fbWQXtFmhhjpayRKEBj7fO-g2Lg4UkZ0qMJlv3w6Lp_s0HWboh4mvG5DC27rUjRX09/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WB1jS_lDxf1SNoTBtDSJFOWAZ3cIJMqGpPVtvYYHphtJLVThn92WKc3j9pNh2wSI9IiSuqFk63fbWQXtFmhhjpayRKEBj7fO-g2Lg4UkZ0qMJlv3w6Lp_s0HWboh4mvG5DC27rUjRX09/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@cathyfinchphotograhy's stunning Sundew on Fraser</td></tr>
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From the beaches to the forests, there is plenty of wildlife to see on Fraser Island and one habitat - <a href="http://instagram.com/p/woGIOkjMEz/?modal=true" target="_blank">our wallum heathland</a> – is just a stone’s throw from <a href="http://instagram.com/p/uWzLF_DMF_/?modal=true" target="_blank">our resort Centre Complex</a> and hotel wings. The wallum really is full of weird and wonderful animals and all perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions as the soils are very low in nutrients.<br />
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One plant has a particularly brutal adaptation that enables it to get the nutrients it needs to survive. Spoon-leaf Sundews (<i>Drosera spatulata</i>) are insectivorous plants that trap unsuspecting insects using a sticky substance known as <i>mucilage</i>.<br />
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The Spoon-leaf Sundew appears pink due to the thousands of pink-tipped ‘tentacles’ protruding from the leaf. Insects looking for a sweet treat step onto the leaves of the Sundew, only to become stuck in the mucilage and eventually die. The insect is then slowly wrapped up by the leaves near the stem and digested.<br />
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This is just another day in a world ruled by survival of the fittest! As you can see, we’ve had a <a href="http://instagram.com/p/wuYV-EDMC9/?modal=true" target="_blank">fabulous Christmas</a>, some <a href="http://instagram.com/p/xkV5eLDMFf/?modal=true" target="_blank">wonderful weather </a>and an eventful month here on Fraser… and we look forward to seeing what February brings our way. Until next time, this is Ranger Bec signing off for the team. <br />
<br />Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-4059194702527654132014-12-17T09:26:00.000+10:002015-03-05T09:32:40.161+10:00Dingo Pups And Paperbarks Make Their Mark On Our Fraser Summer...<a href="http://instagram.com/kingfisherbayresort" target="_blank">Fraser Island</a> has many unique natural values and the diversity of our flora and fauna continues to wow first timers to our sandy shores. Another wow factor comes when guests spot a purebred Fraser Island dingo (<i>Canis dingo</i>) - the apex predator that keeps our sandy ecosystem in balance. At this time of the year, young dingoes become playful and more independent and can be spotted out and about as they learn the fundamentals of hunting from the pack – much to the delight of our guests down on the western beach (outside the dingo fence) and on our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/tours-and-cruises/fraser-island-tours/beauty-spots-tour.html" target="_blank">Beauty Spots off-road day tours</a> – particularly around <a href="http://instagram.com/p/ub6D50DMCF/?modal=true" target="_blank">Central Station</a> in the heart of the island. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCGtwmi15mw72vHaJrLx1QmYOMn4f13oEsoGQjN9k9mSob4XmadgV13V7l-X9zOcy6yWaBIaA1l2CYNmJgVQ-mFLHJciOZawYqKc9G21efZjmh6fWxmRVqeY2B1VhIqpEVBp6OnFt6OmA/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCGtwmi15mw72vHaJrLx1QmYOMn4f13oEsoGQjN9k9mSob4XmadgV13V7l-X9zOcy6yWaBIaA1l2CYNmJgVQ-mFLHJciOZawYqKc9G21efZjmh6fWxmRVqeY2B1VhIqpEVBp6OnFt6OmA/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="628" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppy Love! <a href="http://instagram.com/p/wUXdBPjMET/?modal=true" target="_blank">@Gregorsnell has captured this beautifully</a></td></tr>
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<b>DID YOU KNOW Fraser Island’s dingoes are part of the island’s ecology and are protected by law? Their survival relies on three management factors—education, engineering and enforcement.</b><br />
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Both <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort</a> and <a href="http://www.eurong.com.au/" target="_blank">Eurong Beach Resort </a>are surrounded by dingo fences to keep our famous dingoes from being loved too much (that’s the engineering part). If you’re new to the island, please check out these few simple tips to help you remain <a href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/pdf/be-dingo-safe-flyer.pdf" target="_blank">DINGO SAFE </a>when you’re in the Great Sandy National Park (education in action) and please don’t feed these animals as heavy fines apply (you guessed it, enforcement!).<br />
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A little closer to the resort, recent rainfall has been welcomed by the team and indeed by all across drought-stricken Queensland. On island, it has hardened up the tracks nicely as we head towards the busy Christmas holidays on Fraser. Summer also means blue skies and plenty of sun, which provides the perfect conditions to head out on our <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities.html" target="_blank">Ranger-guided canoe paddles or on our guided walks </a>to spot some of Fraser’s weird and wonderful critters, including our <a href="http://kingfisherbayresort.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/frogs-missing-frogs-declining-frogs-acid-frogs-and-more-frogs/" target="_blank">Acid Frogs</a>. Creek Lilly Pillies <i>(Acmena smithii)</i> are also fruiting this month – their branches weighted down with the mass of berries which is bringing in many fruit eating birds and a few resort rangers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7VU1kBs4zp0UnNx6mJruAC9uN9qF4qB7Ey1SAMOFUyOxzoJFf9pdoIQBYz5y2bY-A0PeDM9yq_w-Bk4HSMwFi6mTPpxFPMT65SWl1YrMd7FlXXP8wu2RdcCUzs_aF5yEQqa4CydYvnnP/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7VU1kBs4zp0UnNx6mJruAC9uN9qF4qB7Ey1SAMOFUyOxzoJFf9pdoIQBYz5y2bY-A0PeDM9yq_w-Bk4HSMwFi6mTPpxFPMT65SWl1YrMd7FlXXP8wu2RdcCUzs_aF5yEQqa4CydYvnnP/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paperbarks make for stunning shots at Lake McKenzie</td></tr>
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Another iconic Australian species that attracts attention is the <i>Paperbark Tea Tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia)</i>, which is commonly found around the resort and on the island. This species is easily spotted by its paper-like bark – hence the name - and can literally be pulled away from the tree in sheets (not that we advocate this). You might recognise the shot of Lake McKenzie with the iconic paperbark taking centre stage (pictured left).<br />
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The Paperbark was a staple in the Butchulla medicine cabinet - tea tree oil (from the leaves) is a fantastic antiseptic; powder contained in the bark can be used as an antiseptic powder; and the sheets of bark themselves can be used as bandages. <br />
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Paperbark is also used in cooking - replacing aluminium foil for dishes like baked fish <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/food-and-wine/fraser-island-restaurants/seabelle-restaurant.html" target="_blank">(just ask our Chefs in our signature, Seabelle restaurant, who have perfected a bush-inspired baked barramundi in paperbark on the menu)</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEb9FkceSFCHN57bSg4K0srizw9R1tQBGcCdFQHsMYH293apM6dR5cON3SpDtpnHz7WsqdBCTV9nxwESUyU2vusa2o6KqjhHMIccEtGcUeBh4aBEGaAxS15ANswwCPXUr3sVHv5eph_Hb/s1600/Stonetool+Sandblow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEb9FkceSFCHN57bSg4K0srizw9R1tQBGcCdFQHsMYH293apM6dR5cON3SpDtpnHz7WsqdBCTV9nxwESUyU2vusa2o6KqjhHMIccEtGcUeBh4aBEGaAxS15ANswwCPXUr3sVHv5eph_Hb/s1600/Stonetool+Sandblow.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonetool Sandblow. Picture: <a href="http://www.petermeyerphotography.com/" target="_blank">Peter Meyer Photography</a></td></tr>
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<b>RANGER FACT: Nectar from the bottlebrush-like flowers can be mixed with water to make a natural cordial. </b><br />
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December is also the time that we welcome our visiting “sand man” and one of the country’s leading geomorphologists, Dr. Errol Stock, back to the resort<a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-events/special-events/item/531-mysteries-of-fraser-island.html" target="_blank"> for a series of guest presentations on how earth scientists use their magic to reveal the secrets of Fraser’s dunes</a>.<br />
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According to Doctor Errol, it’s easy to fall under the spell of Fraser Island’s dunes. In pulses linked to geological and climatic cycles, and for more than two million years, sand has accumulated on a hard basement of sedimentary and volcanic rocks so that only a few headlands and small outcrops remain visible to hint at nature’s cloaking magic. It’s fascinating stuff – especially for us tree huggers - and we’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks on our blog.<br />
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As you can see, it’s been an action-packed few months here on Fraser and we are looking forward to a bright new year filled with plants, animals, beach and sun! Merry Christmas everybody, cheers Ranger Bec.Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9141889609488709645.post-82170608294448449372014-11-27T11:26:00.001+10:002015-03-05T09:32:56.944+10:00It’s Been An Historic Month For Fraser Island’s Butchulla PeopleWhat a month we’ve had on Fraser Island. Whilst Sydney hosted the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/environment/world-parks-congress-call-to-extend-notake-share-of-marine-protected-areas-20141119-11pyqz.html" target="_blank">World Parks Congress</a> (a once-a-decade landmark global forum for protecting areas of conservation), this month in our own biosphere/backyard, we’ve been enjoying fantastic swimming weather and some wonderful photo opps <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/activities/guided-walks.html" target="_blank">on our guided walks and talks</a> thanks to the flowering of our Grass Trees <i>(Xanthorrhoea johnsonii)</i>. We've also witnessed some historic events in our island's history, including the handover of Native Title rights to the Butchulla tribe and the discovery of indigenous burial sites on island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Lorikeet feasting on a Grass Tree. Pic: Peter Meyer</td></tr>
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Those that have visited recently will know that our Grass Trees have been in full flower at <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay Resort </a>this month which in turn has brought a whole host of animals in close to our bark covered walking tracks for rare photo opportunities while they feed on the tall flower spikes. Squirrel Gliders <i>(Petaurus norfolcensis)</i> have feasted as have our Rainbow Lorikeets <i>(Trichoglossus haematodus -</i> pictured left<i>)</i>, our White Cheeked Honeyeaters <i>(Phylidonyris nigra)</i> and our Blue Faced Honeyeaters <i>(Entomyzon cyanotis)</i>.<br />
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<b>DID YOU KNOW Grass Trees are terrifically adapted to suit the Australian environment?</b><br />
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In Australia, especially in areas occupied by Aborigines, fires are a frequent occurrence and as such many Australian plants have evolved to tolerate and sometimes even rely on fire. Grass Trees flower best after exposure to gases released during fire and the old bases of the leaves help to insulate the vulnerable growth points during these extreme temperature events. The trunk of the grass tree appears black from old ash and tends to grow very slowly (only around a centimetre a year). Here at the resort, we conduct regular mosaic burns to reduce the fire load and to help our native plants propagate.<br />
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<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2014/10/27/4115312.htm" target="_blank">The end of October saw in an historic day in Fraser Island’s history as the Federal Court of Australia conducted a special on-country sitting at Kingfisher Bay to award Native Title over the land and waters of Fraser Island to the traditional owners of the land – The Butchulla.</a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZWcAJ9Mu0gP-HJ26uYRMTfUfhw7deNkReA15Ib7kW-Xft-eA_0PtNvKGodsWqW5xdKlvBo6fTYYFi54g6J1BfEePdqYu6kl0n9GaOLEpeVyPy2rvcEwQAPzyeeQ7RacBeewN2QyZ7dV7/s1600/9-2548702-fra241014butchella1_t620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZWcAJ9Mu0gP-HJ26uYRMTfUfhw7deNkReA15Ib7kW-Xft-eA_0PtNvKGodsWqW5xdKlvBo6fTYYFi54g6J1BfEePdqYu6kl0n9GaOLEpeVyPy2rvcEwQAPzyeeQ7RacBeewN2QyZ7dV7/s1600/9-2548702-fra241014butchella1_t620.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young and old joined in the celebrations. Pic: Jocelyn Watt</td></tr>
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More than 400 <i>Butchulla</i> people from Hervey Bay and surrounding areas were in attendance as Federal Court Justice Berna Collier gave out copies of the native title determination to Elders during the event. Traditional music and dance demonstrations took place near a campfire; kids celebrated on the beach; and the smell of the smoke from the ceremonial smoking ceremony added to the atmosphere which really was quite remarkable.<br />
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This decision is a significant achievement for all of the local<i> Butchulla </i>people who have worked for many years to be recognised as traditional owners of K'Gari, as the island is known to them. This ruling allows the Butchulla people to hunt, fish and camp on the island as well as conduct traditional ceremonies (but doesn’t affect existing rights on the island in terms of freehold land, National Parks and conducting tours).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfJNbLgepGtGgn-5UymXUuOR9WusWlV2UsOHtRo_mox07LbMUqDnSp87czIjmdyMYBYAP9Ia5qRf_f3TREwsyHsmVm8LGgntVtQwTwzSMGvON9FJBXKqk2WOYQdLQ7vIt2M5ViTEk4nVu/s1600/9-2547856-fra241014fraser6_t620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfJNbLgepGtGgn-5UymXUuOR9WusWlV2UsOHtRo_mox07LbMUqDnSp87czIjmdyMYBYAP9Ia5qRf_f3TREwsyHsmVm8LGgntVtQwTwzSMGvON9FJBXKqk2WOYQdLQ7vIt2M5ViTEk4nVu/s1600/9-2547856-fra241014fraser6_t620.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional dancing at Kingfisher Bay. Pic: Jocelyn Watt</td></tr>
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The team at <a href="http://www.kingfisherbay.com/our-community.html" target="_blank">Kingfisher Bay</a> is very supportive of this recognition of a very important aspect of the island’s history and are excited to see what the future brings. The decision should also see Butchulla opinions on island management and protection having a heavier weighting, and open up opportunities for them in terms of economic development on the island. <br />
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<a href="http://kingfisherbayresort.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/july-close-encounters-of-animal-kind-on.html" target="_blank">Back in our July blog</a>, we mentioned Queensland scientists were searching for a century-old Aboriginal burial ground. <a href="http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-09/scientists-discover-70-aboriginal-graves-on-fraser-island/5877802?pfm=sm&section=news" target="_blank">This month, in another significant milestone for the Butchulla people, 70 indigenous graves were discovered on Fraser.</a><br />
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The graves were likely dug during operation of the island’s ill-fated Bogimbah Creek Mission (1897-1904) where many drug or alcohol dependent Aborigines, and those that lived in areas sought after for agricultural development, were relocated into an area on the western side of Fraser Island under a government-run scheme. Tragically, conditions were appalling and many died from disease and malnutrition.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radars towed behind a research vehicle Pic: USC</td></tr>
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Soil scientists used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to locate the graves and we understand there is no plan to excavate them. The discovery of the site will enable its protection and whilst showcasing a tragic part of the island’s history, the process has had a healing effect on the Butchulla Tribe and Rangers who helped with the search. <br />
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As you can see, it's been nothing short of remarkable here on the world's largest sand island and we’re looking forward to a great summer ahead where we can soak up the relaxed beach atmosphere and the phenomenal environment around us. Hope to see you soon, Ranger Bec. <br />
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Kingfisher Bay Resorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15503533523449109161noreply@blogger.comFraser Island, Queensland, Australia-25.2663148 153.15608529999997-27.1043893 150.57429829999998 -23.4282403 155.73787229999996