K’gari island guide | Top things to do on this nature-lover’s dream

This lake sits high in K’gari’s inland dunes and feels almost too perfect to be natural. Known as Boorangoora by the Butchulla people, its crystal-clear waters and pure white silica sand are like nature’s own infinity pool. Since it’s filled only by rainwater, the lake is incredibly pure, in fact so pure that not much can survive in it. Most day tours stop here for swimming, photos, and just soaking in the surreal calm at the heart of the island.

You won’t find another “beach highway” quite like this. Stretching down the eastern coast of K’gari, this long, wild beach isn’t just for sunbathing, it’s a runway for 4WD vehicles, a landing strip for scenic flights, and even a shortcut between attractions. It’s raw, windswept, and wildly scenic.

Eli Creek is one of the island’s most loved natural lazy rivers. Flowing with over four million litres of freshwater every hour, it winds through paperbark trees and across the sand before spilling into the ocean. People on day tours usually float down its shallows on inflatable tubes or simply wade barefoot.

Just north of Indian Head, the Champagne Pools are a natural spa with front-row ocean views. Volcanic rock formations form bubbling saltwater pools that fizz and froth when waves crash over—hence the name. It’s the only safe spot to swim on this rugged stretch of coast.

Resting quietly on 75 Mile Beach, the SS Maheno tells a tale of shipwreck and storm. Once a luxury ocean liner turned World War I hospital ship, it was claimed by a cyclone in 1935 while being towed to Japan. What remains is a rusted, skeletal hull that’s slowly being reclaimed by sand and sea but still stands tall as one of the island’s most striking photo ops.

This lush pocket of rainforest, growing improbably from pure sand, is one of K’gari’s greatest natural surprises. Once a bustling logging settlement, Central Station is now a peaceful boardwalk through towering satinay and brush box trees, with Wanggoolba Creek running alongside.

At the northern end of 75 Mile Beach, Indian Head is a rocky headland offering sweeping views of the wild Pacific. It was named (controversially) by Captain Cook, but the site itself holds deep significance for the Butchulla people. It’s also one of the best places to spot marine life from land like turtles, rays, dolphins, or even passing whales during the season.

The rainbow cliffs of the Pinnacles are a natural canvas of over 70 shades of red, orange, and yellow formed by ancient clay minerals, wind, and water over thousands of years. It’s a short but stunning stop along 75 Mile Beach where most visitors are left awed by the striations and depth of colour.

Tucked off K’gari’s western shore, Pelican Bank is one of those hidden gems perfect for swimming, snorkelling, or simply feeling like you’ve landed in a postcard. You might spot seabirds, stingrays, or even dolphins gliding past the bank’s shallows.

Awinya Creek is a winding tea-coloured stream framed by dense forest and perfect calm. Some boat tours from Hervey Bay offer access to this area, where you can kayak, picnic, or just float. The tannins in the water come from native plants, giving it that golden tint.