Kingfisher Bay Resort on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is in perfect harmony with its natural surrounds and offers a rare ecotourism experience for travellers. Hidden amongst the tree-covered dunes on the edge of the calm waters of the Great Sandy Straits in beautiful Queensland, the resort is a relaxing holiday haven.

Located on the world’s largest sand island - Fraser Island – which stretches for 123 kilometres and features beautiful fresh water lakes, lush rainforests, spectacular cliffs of coloured sands, rare fens, sand blows, endless beaches, shipwrecks, wildflowers and abundant native wildlife – and Kingfisher Bay provides a world-class base from which to explore.

The fully-integrated, large-scale ecotourism resort which opened in 1992 setting bench marks in ecotourism which have been used by ecotourism ventures worldwide. The resort is designed to give guests an enjoyable nature-based ecotourism experience on Fraser Island, while creating minimal impact on the environment.

The Resort’s interpretive, expert rangers take guests to explore Fraser Island’s significant natural and geological features and interesting Aboriginal and European histories. They provide information and an environmental ethic on guided walks, 4WD tours and marine cruises.

Rare acid frogs, bats and sugars gliders can be spotted at night around the resort lakes. Ranger-guided bird walks help guests discover some of the 354 species of birds recorded on the island. The bountiful plant life provides bush tucker (bush food) and natural medicines. Dolphins, dugong, turtles, rays frequent the island waters.

The calm safe waters of Platypus Bay off the north-western coast of Fraser Island, in the Hervey Bay Marine Park, have also become known world wide as a prime whale watching area. From August to October each year humpback whales on their migration south to the Antarctic stop to rest, play and nurture their calves in the bay. They put on spectacular displays for tourists that really do provide the thrill of a life time. The resort offers daily half-day whale watching cruises – with picks up from Hervey Bay and the resort’s own jetty.

Built to strict environmental guidelines, Kingfisher Bay Resort has won Australia's top architectural prize. It has a distinctive Queensland-style with double-storey, native-timber buildings designed to harmonise with the environment and not impact upon it. Hidden among the trees, all styles of accommodation have magnificent sea, lake or bushland views which can be enjoyed from wide private decks.

The resort has 152 hotel rooms – each with large private decks with bush or lake views and well-appointed bathrooms, some with spas.

Guests can opt to stay in one of 100 self-contained two and three bedroom villas sleep from 5 to 6 people. All have private decks (some with spas), fully equipped kitchens & laundry.

Exploring the local food is part of the holiday experience. Guests can sample the delights of Australian bush foods grown in the resort’s own gardens and enjoy our famous Queensland seafood. Three restaurants offer a choice of a la carte dining, themed buffets, poolside lunches, a bistro and pizzeria.

Kids have fun learning about the environment with the resort’s Junior Eco Ranger program. This popular program includes art, walks, orienteering, rope courses and canoeing, spotlighting for animals, stargazing and campfires with damper making, story telling and sing-alongs. Evening activities include dinner.

For the adults – if you’re not out carving new tracks in a 4WD, it’s the ideal time to wake up with the birds, relax with a cocktail by one of the four swimming pools, play tennis, simply bubble in a spa, indulge in a massage or just go fishing and get chef to cook your catch or if the mood takes you.

For more information and info on how to get there visit kingfisherbay.com