Sights in Fraser Coast
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Lake McKenzie
Lake McKenzie is a 'perched' lake, formed by water accumulating on top of a thin impermeable layer of decaying twigs and leaves. Here you can exfoliate your skin with the mineral sand and soften your hair in the clear water. Lake McKenzie is possibly the most spectacular of Fraser Island's lakes, but Lake Birrabeen is also amazing, and usually less crowded.
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Lake Birrabeen
Lake Birrabeen is a stunning 'perched' lake, formed by water accumulating on top of a thin impermeable layer of decaying twigs and leaves. A lovely option when Lake McKenzie is too crowded.
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Lake Wabby
About 4km north of Eurong along the beach is a signposted walking trail to Lake Wabby. An easier route is from the lookout on the inland track. Wabby is surrounded on three sides by eucalypt forest, while the fourth side is a massive sandblow, which is encroaching on the lake at a rate of about 3m a year. The lake is deceptively shallow and diving is dangerous - in the last decade several people have been paralysed by doing so.
You can often find turtles and huge catfish in the eastern corner of the lake under the trees.
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Eli Creek
After rainfall this becomes a fast-moving, crystal-clear waterway that will carry you effortlessly downstream. About 2km from Eli Creek is the wreck of the Maheno, a passenger liner that was blown ashore by a cyclone in 1935 while being towed to a Japanese scrap yard.
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Central Station
In the middle of the island is Central Station, the starting point for numerous walking trails. Signposted tracks head to the beautiful McKenzie, Jennings, Birrabeen and Boomanjin lakes.
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Maheno Wreck
The Maheno was a passenger liner that was blown ashore by a cyclone in 1935 while being towed to a Japanese scrap yard and is now a major tourist attraction.
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Bundaberg Arts Centre
In town, the Bundaberg Arts Centre is a small gallery displaying local and travelling exhibitions.
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Alexandra Park & Zoo
The small Alexandra Park & Zoo is tucked into a green corner on the banks of the Burnett River. A handful of animals, including the ubiquitous kangaroo and some vivid and vocal parrots, reside here. It's a pretty spot and the large, grassy park begs for a picnic. There's a 1km boardwalk from here that follows the river to the Riverside Parklands – a narrow stretch of greenery with riverside barbecues and picnic tables, and night markets on the first Friday of each month between September and April.
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Orchid Beach
Orchid Beach is the last settlement on the island. Many tracks north of this are closed for environmental protection. The 30km of beach up to Sandy Cape, the northern tip, with its lighthouse, is off-limits to hire vehicles. The beach from Sandy Cape to Rooney Point is closed to all vehicles, as is the road from Orchid Beach to Platypus Bay.
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MV Tasman Venture
Takes a maximum of 80 passengers and has underwater microphones and viewing windows. Whale watching tours operate daily out of Hervey Bay - weather permitting - between mid-July and late October. Sightings are guaranteed from 1 August to 1 November, when you get a free subsequent trip if the whales don't show.
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Fairymead House Sugar Museum
At the southern end of the Botanic Gardens the Fairymead House Sugar Museum , set in an 1890s Queenslander house, documents the development of the sugar industry, including some frank displays of the hardships endured by Kanakas (South Sea Islanders) in the cane fields.
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Hinkler House Museum
The Hinkler House Museum is set inside the house of Bundaberg's most famous son, the aviator Bert Hinkler, who made the first solo flight between England and Australia in 1928. The house was painstakingly relocated from Southampton in 1983.
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School of Arts Building
Interesting old buildings in the town centre include the School of Arts Building, the oldest public building still standing in the Bundaberg. Pick up a copy of A Walking Tour of the Bundaberg City Centre from the visitors centres.
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Bundaberg & District Historical Museum
The Bundaberg & District Historical Museum has plenty of colonial-era antiques like quaint 1920s handmade quilts. Look for the wedding albums showcasing every Bundy bride since 1974.
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Baldwin Swamp
Some 3km from the city centre is BaldwinSwamp, an 87-hectare wetland reserve of lagoons and forest filled with birds, trees, loads of bandicoots and other furry night-time friends.
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Indian Head
The rock outcrop of Indian Head is the best vantage point on the island. Sharks, manta rays, dolphins and (during the migration season) whales can often be spotted from the top of the headland.
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Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens , 2km north of the centre, is a green oasis of tropical shrubs, towering trees and flowering gardens surrounding a few small lakes. Bring a picnic lunch!
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Scrub Hill Community Farm
Run by the Korrawinga Aboriginal Community, the Scrub Hill Community Farm produces organic vegetables, tea-tree oil and excellent artworks, including didgeridoos.
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Spirit of Hervey Bay
A large vessel with underwater viewing rooms; takes a maximum of 150 passengers. Such tours operate daily - weather permitting - between mid-July and late October.
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Post Office
Interesting old buildings in the town centre include the post office .
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That's Awesome
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Reef World
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Hinkler Hall of Aviation
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Botanic Gardens
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