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:
1. Fraser’s beaches are bigger... and better
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...
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.
 |
| 75-Mile Beach Fraser Island |
 |
| Fraser Island's Lake Boomanjin |
2. Fraser Island has the world’s largest
perched lake … and it bleeds Maroon
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.
Located 18 kilometres south of Central Station, covering
200 hectares, it is the biggest perched lake in the world.
And yes, even on a
beautiful sunny day, it shows its true colours of deep orange, gold and maroon.
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.
3. Don’t take our word for it, ask the
Humpback Whales
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.
 |
| The Fraser Coast is the only pit-stop for Humpback Whales in Australia |
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.
 |
| Whales showing off for eager whale watchers near Fraser Island |
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.
It’s the only place in Australia that
they do this- and one of only two places in the world this happens.
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.
Whales are incredibly intelligent and beautiful animals, and
seeing them up close is an experience like nothing else.
They know Fraser
Island is the best place to relax and play on holiday 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.
4. Sometimes size does matter...
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.
 |
| Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world |
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.
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.
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.
5. We stand taller... or at least the trees do
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. Fraser 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.
 |
| Fraser Island is the only place in the world where rainforest grows from sand at a height of 200 metres |
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.
It’s one of the island’s most unique features and the fifth and final
tackle in this match-up. On every measure it's easy to see that when it comes to island holiday destinations- there really is no contest against our mates south of the border. Fraser Island takes the win, with the final score
line Fraser Island 5- NSW 0.
Post-match highlights
and expert insights:
 |
| Kingfisher Bay Resort is the perfect place for a holiday on Fraser Island |
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.
When it comes to exploring this natural wonder there’s no
better place to stay during your visit than Kingfisher Bay Resort. With
sensational dining options, a brand new Day Spa, and a fantastic Junior Eco-Ranger Program, Kingfisher Bay Resort is the ideal location to relax, unwind
and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Our experienced and knowledgeable team of rangers and guides
offer daily tours, 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.
