Fraser Island sees significant tourism recovery

Fraser Island (K’gari) tourism numbers have bounced back with visitors spending more than a quarter of a million nights in the world heritage-listed area, helping to drive the state’s economic recovery.

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said despite the impacts to international tourism from COVID-19 and bushfires late last year, families had in total spent 38,000 more nights on the island camping so far in 2020/21 when compared to the entire 2019/20 financial year.

Minister Scanlon notes “we know that visits to our national parks generate $2.6 billion in economic activity each year – and as home to the world’s largest sand island, K’gari plays a big role.”

Minister Scanlon said since the bushfires, rangers had been working around the clock to make sure K’gari rebounds and added “whether that’s wildlife specialists attending to native wildlife, or rangers eradicating potentially harmful weeds from emerging in bushfire-affected areas – our efforts mean we’ve seen new growth emerge from the ashes in areas like Moon Point Swamp and the foredunes at Happy Valley.”

Minister Scanlon advised that this meant the State Government is able to continue investing $10 million each year into K’gari for its ongoing management together with Traditional Owners.

“It means we’re now able to invest $4.8 million in new tourism opportunities on the island, on top of the $2 million I announced earlier this month to build new fencing around Orchid Beach.

“These latest tourism figures equal thousands of families from across Queensland and Australia spending money in local communities and supporting dozens of tourism operators in the area.

“It’s a strong sign of regrowth on the island in the face of COVID-19 and bushfires that impacted this world-heritage listed area late last year.”

Image: Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) - the famous pure white silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake Mckenzie, Fraser Island. Courtesy of Fraser Coast