There are plenty of reasons why travellers and adventurers head on to Australia’s precious heritage-listed island, Fraser Island. Aside from its white sandy dunes, colourful Aboriginal history, unique wildlife and exciting tour activities, Fraser Island’s more than 100 freshwater lakes also attract visitors worldwide. And the most popular among them is Lake Mckenzie. Interested to know why?
Here are 5 epic reasons to visit Lake McKenzie and what our tours look like which include this majestic attraction
1. Lake McKenzie is a perched lake – a unique body of water
According to Australia’s Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Fraser Island is home to 40 perched lakes or half of the world’s perched freshwater dune lakes, Lake McKenzie being one of them. What makes perched lakes unique is that the waters do not come from streams or flow to the ocean, but are actually rainwater. Lake McKenzie measures over 150 hectares with a depth of 5 metres, which would make it feel like you’re swimming in a pool, only much larger and cleaner.
2. There’s nothing like swimming in a pure, clear lake
Many of us probably have bad impressions of lakes because of how they were depicted in the movies – murky, mysterious, and a place where dark, vicious creatures thrive. But Lake McKenzie definitely showcases the opposite of that. Olivia Pozzan of BBC Travel offers probably one of the best descriptions of Lake McKenzie: “The water is a stunning vivid blue, and the pure-silica sand is soft underfoot. The sand is so fine it is ideal for skin exfoliation. The slightly acid water, from decaying plants, limits the viability of aquatic life but in no way affects the pleasure of a well-earned swim.
It is the lake’s fine, powdery white sand that presents the waters’ stunning clarity. Also, you need not fear of any creatures dragging you under because not many species can survive here due to the lake’s high acidity levels. It is important to remember, though, travellers should avoid using sunscreen, soap, or oils when swimming in Lake McKenzie as they are considered pollutants.
3. Go camping!
There are a number of areas where day-trippers and adventurers can experience camping on Fraser Island. “The more developed camping areas are located at Central Stations, Lake McKenzie, Lake Boomanjin, Waady Point, Dundubara and Wathumba. And if you’d like to try camping on Fraser Island, then Lake McKenzie would be one of the best spots to put your tent up. As they say, you can never fully enjoy the majestic beauty of a destination unless you’ve seen it in its entirety, and of course, under the stars.
Basic facilities that are available on designated camping areas include public toilets, showers, car park, and barbecue facilities. But be sure to secure a camping permit prior to your arrival on Fraser Island.
4. Enjoy a picnic with the family
For those who want to enjoy a serene, family bonding with a breathtaking backdrop of nature, enjoying a picnic by Lake McKenzie would be a perfect idea. There are picnic tables and picnic areas in the area for visitors. Not only will families get to enjoy hearty meals, they’d also get to bask and feat on the lake’s scenic views.
5. It’s more than just picture-perfect, it’s poetic
If you key in “Lake McKenzie” on Google, you’d immediately be greeted by a plethora of photos and images showcasing the wondrous beauty of the lake. But this jewel is more than just picture-perfect. We’d like to share what Chloe Walsh of Exploration Online UK so beautifully wrote: “Lake McKenzie is an expansive lake…but what immediately hits you is the vibrant colour. The water hitting the shore is crystal clear and aquamarine in colour. Then, suddenly and in a perfect straight line…the lake is the colour of blue ink…The sand is almost entirely silica, but what that means to us is that it is like walking on warm, slightly melted ice cream. ” It’s Lake McKenzie captured in poetry.
It’s also a place that features heavily on our tour itineraries, for obvious reasons. Our top class guides know Fraser Island better than anyone else, which is just one of the reasons why we’re consistently voted one of the top tour operators on the island.
What our tours look like which include this majestic attraction
So, what’s stopping you? Check out our Fraser Island Tours which visit the stunning shores of Lake McKenzie and much, much more!
Our 3 day/2 night Wilderness Beach Camping Adventure gives you plenty of time to chill out at Lake McKenzie as well as many of the other pristine lakes to be found on the island.
Just some of the highlights include:
- a hike into Lake Wabby
- a natural jacuzzi at Champagne Pool [link to blog post on champagne pools?]
- a trip to see the ancient ship wreck of SS Maheno
- a float down Eli Creek
- the chance to spot sharks, ray and turtles from Indian Head
- Learn about the art of throwing a boomerang
And more besides. We’ll camp on the beach under a blanket of stars each night and wake up every morning to the sounds of the ocean, and another perfect day in this little patch of Aussie paradise. All camping fear is included as is fresh food, showers, water and a cool box for your beers.
Fancy something with a few more creature comforts? Then our 2 day/1 night Great Lakes Adventure [insert link to tour?] is the right choice. Bed down in our cute Beach House Hostel and enjoy ocean views, camp fires, soft linens and proper toilets! A rare luxury on Fraser Island.
As the name suggests this tour focusses on the plethora of perched lakes so unique to the island. Highlights include:
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- a visit to Lake Birrabeen, a sacred, special place and one of the few lakes still known by her original Aboriginal name.
- a swim in lake Boomanjin
- the tea stained waters of Tea Tree Lake
- cruising down 75 Mile Beach
- a float down Eli Creek
And more sights and activities along the way. This may be our shortest tour, but that doesn’t mean you miss out. We will show you the best of this sacred and awe inspiring island, and give you memories to last a lifetime. If these aren’t enough reasons to convince you, then we don’t know what will! We got one piece of good advice for you, though: stop reading and book your Fraser Island trip now, and don’t forget to add Lake McKenzie on your itinerary.