History
Long before the appearance of Europeans on the east coast of Australia, Fraser Island was inhabited by numerous Aboriginal clans known collectively as the Butchulla people. The Butchulla had an elaborate system of social ties and developed a complex pattern of land-use focused on the island's rich sea-foods. Government Protector of Aborigines in the mid 1850's, Archibald Meston, estimated the Aboriginal population of the island to be between 2000 and 3000. The late 1800's saw many of the remaining Butchullas already hard hit by European diseases brought to Bogimbah Mission, then located on the island's west coast. Following closure of the mission in 1904, many of its residents continued living in the district, forming the basis of today's Butchulla people. Evidence of early Aboriginal life on the island can be seen in the form of shell middens, stone tools and scarred trees.
Captain Cook is credited with being the first European to sight Fraser Island. He skirted its eastern shore in 1770 and supposed it to be a long headland. Cook named Indian Head (after the number of Aborigines assembled on this huge rock formation), Sandy Cape and Breaksea Spit.
It was not until 1822 that Captain William Edwardson, while searching for a river location suitable for a penal settlement, overturned previous European notions by discovering that the "Great Sandy Peninsula" was an island.
The most colourful episode in Fraser Island's history began in 1836 with the wreck of the Stirling Castle east of Mackay. The captain of the ship was James Fraser. He, his wife Eliza and surviving crew members drifted for several weeks at sea before sighting the shores of Fraser Island and were then taken by the Aborigines. Five of the survivors, including Captain Fraser, perished before rescue parties arrived from Brisbane. Mrs. Fraser won worldwide notoriety with her dramatic account of her time in captivity.
In 1842, Andrew Petrie discovered good land on the island and recognised the commercial potential of its timber. However it was 1863 before logging operations began near Wanggoolba Creek. The timber was first harvested by John 'Yankee Jack" Piggott who cut kauri pine and rafted the logs to Dundathu Mill on the mainland.
The increasing number of wrecks- -in the vicinity of Fraser Island led to the construction of a lighthouse near Sandy Cape in 1870. A quarantine station was established on the west coast of the island during the immigration programmes of the 1880's, but was later abandoned.
Fraser's tourist worth was first realised at the turn of the century and its popularity grew steadily from the 1930's through to the 1970's. The spotlight really fell on the island in 1971 when the mining of large deposits of black mineral sands began. After much public controversy, mining was stopped in 1976 following the recommendation of a Commission of Inquiry established by the Federal Government.
Until January 1992, a substantial part of the island was State Forest. This area was managed for environmental protection, recreation and timber production. The long history of the timber industry on the island was stopped in December 1991 by the Queensland Government after considering recommendations from its Commission of Inquiry into the Conservation, Management and use of Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Region.
Comprising almost totally National Park, Fraser Island today is a haven for thousands of Australians and many overseas visitors who want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
With your co-operation, Fraser Island's unspoilt beauty can be preserved for all times.
Services
MEDICAL
Fraser Island does not have a resident doctor. Visitors are advised to carry a well equipped first-aid kit at all times. Emergency medical assistance can be obtained from Ranger Stations at Eurong, Central Station, Waddy Point and Dundubara. Kingfisher Bay has first aid facilities and resident nursing staff MECHANICAL REPAIRS Limited mechanical repairs can be carried out at Eurong and Orchard Beach on the island, or at Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay on the mainland. A towing service also operates from Eurong, Yidney Rocks and Happy Valley.
SUPPLIES
There are general stores at Happy Valley, Eurong and Cathedral Beach Resort which are well stocked with everything from groceries and liquor to camping and fishing equipment, fuel, bait and ice. Small shops are also located at Orchid Beach and kingfisher Bay Resort and Village.
TELEPHONES
Public telephones have been installed at Happy Valley, Kingfisher Bay, Dundubara, Indian Head, Orchid Beach, Eurong, Waddy Point, Central Station, Cathedral Beach Tourist Resort and Yidney Rocks Cabins (bypass road).
POSTAL SERVICES
Post boxes and stamps can be obtained at Eurong, Happy Valley, Cathedral Beach, Orchid Beach and Kingfisher Bay and there is a post box at Dundubara.
RESTAURANTS
Eurong has a pleasant restaurant and bar-lounge overlooking the resort's swimming pool. A barbecue or evening bistro in the tropical garden setting is available. Happy Valley Resort has a modern licensed restaurant. It's construction features Fraser Island's beautiful hardwoods. Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village has a pizzeria, bakery and several restaurants ranging from casual, relaxed family eating to a la carte dining.
FIRE BRIGADES
Fires should be reported to the Department of Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Service at:
Eurong Phone 27 9128
Dundubara Phone 27 9138
Central Station Phone 27 9191
Waddy Point Phone 27 9190
Bush Fire Brigades are also located at:
Happy Valley Phone 27 9144
Orchid Beach Phone 27 9129
Kingfisher Bay Phone 20 3333
Eurong Phone 27 9120
EVIRONMENTAL CODE - Do's and Don'ts
ENVIRONMENTAL CODE · Show care for the natural environment, particularly native animals and plants.
CAMPING
Avoid digging trenches around tents.
Be considerate of others by maintaining the quiet peaceful environment.
Spare a thought for those who will next use your campsite. Pay special attention to hygiene and leave the site clean.
Camping on the beach is permitted anywhere except near streams and where signs prohibit camping. Inland camping is only permitted at constructed campgrounds.
LAKES AND STREAMS
Don't use soaps, toothpastes and detergents in lakes and streams. These promote the growth of algae and can contaminate drinking water. Sunscreens can also affect the quality of lakes. Wear a shirt and apply sunscreens after your swim.
Camp at least 50 metres from a watercourse or lake.
Power boats and vehicles are not permitted on or in the lakes. They cause pollution and bank erosion.
FIRE
Preferably use a fuel stove. It is illegal to collect firewood in the Fraser Island Recreation Area, including road verges. A limited amount of firewood is usually available in the developed campgrounds and from near the ONPWS Eurong Information Office. Use one armful per camp per night. Remember, the coastal vegetation plays an important role in dune stabilisap6n and provides a valuable resource for campers and wildlife giving shade and protection from the sun, wind and sand. Conserve wood - do not build large camp and cooking fires.
Observe fire bans. A campfire can easily become a wildfire. Use fireplaces provided and light fires only in areas clear of natural vegetation. Do not light fires on beaches surrounding lakes.
Extinguish all fires with water before leaving the area. Coals retain heat when covered with sand. Sand can then be blown off, posing a risk to people in bare feet. Never leave fires unattended.
REFUSE
Place your rubbish in the bins provided or take it back to a mainland rubbish dump. Separate recyclable glass, aluminium cans and plastic from rubbish and deposit in appropriate bins. Don't put bulky items in bins on the beach; put them in the large Bulk Bins at old refuse sites at Eurong, Yidney Rocks, Waddy Point and south of Dundubara. See map on other side for sites.
Do not bury rubbish, other than fish offal which should be buried well below the high tide mark and have at least 15cm of sand cover to avoid being dug up by animals or exposed by wind and water erosion.
When camping without toilet facilities, dig a deep pit toilet at least 50metres away from creeks. Don't forget to cover the pit when leaving.
SAND DRIVING
Drive carefully, beware of gutters and ledges from creek and tide washouts and beware of ledges on the beach. Do not travel at night and travel as close as possible to low tide times.
Reduce tyre pressure to 120-140kpa (18-20 p.s.i.) for soft-sand driving.
Normal road rules apply on the beach. Keep to the left of on-coming vehicles and do not speed. A maximum speed of 80km/h on the beach and 35km/h on the inland roads is permitted, though lower speeds are advised.
Use indicators when approaching on-coming vehicles to show direction of passing.
Drive safely at all times. Do not do tight turns or donuts on the beach. Never carry passengers standing up in the back, riding outside the cabin or riding on car bonnets or bullbars as it is dangerous. Fines will be imposed for these practices.
Slow down when passing parked vehicles or people on 'the beach. Pedestrians often cannot hear approaching vehicles above the sound of the surf.
Help prevent erosion. Keep to the roads and formed tracks. Use only four wheel drive vehicles and keep 4WD engaged at all times on island tracks to prevent damage.
Avoid sharp cornering as deflated tyres may roll off the rims.
Walk through unfamiliar creeks to check the depth and softness of the sand before crossing.
Load the vehicle evenly. Do not overload. Remember to leave easy access to the jack, spare tyre, tow rope, shovel and "wet start" spray. Pack only light items on the roof rack.
Use low gear and low range when crossing rock outcrops on the eastern beach.
Show caution in crossing Eli Creek, as it carries a high volume of water and often has steep banks.
Exercise caution on the western beach as sand may obscure peat bogs and buried seaweed.
Never attempt to cross Wathumba Creek estuary or Moon Creek inlet on the western side of the island.
Ensure that your vehicle is mechanically sound. Carry essential spares, water, extra fuel and a first-aid kit.
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