Fraser Island Warnings Or Dangers

Visitors to Fraser Island are often encouraged to run down sand hills and dive into the freshwater lakes at the bottom of the sand slopes. Or they imitate others doing this apparently innocent activity. Of course, as each person runs down the sandy slope some sand slips down the slope as well. This finds its way into the lake so the underwater profile is changed. It becomes shallow. Too shallow, in fact, to accommodate persons travelling at maximum speed diving out of control into the lake.
A little publicized fact is that every year there are several tourists severely injured doing this activity.
By "severely" I mean the ones that break their backs or are made quadriplegic. The ones who suffer minor injuries get no mention at all.
How to avoid Breaking Your Back ......................... Don't Try It!!!"

To the above activity add the risk of injury by "sand surfing". This involves sliding down sand dunes on purpose-built or improvised equipment (a cardboard carton for example). Risky business. see report

If your planning to travel the east coast if Fraser Island, make sure the tides are appropriate for a safe and easy drive as this may limit your sightseeing on the island. For example we wanted to see the Maheno Shipwreak but we couldnt due to the timing of the tides (and limited time we had on the island). It has also been quite common for people to get themselfs stuck in awkard situations eg:not being able to get back when the tide rises so be carefull!!

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Of course dingoes live in many parts of Australia, but the population on Fraser Island is uncommonly high, with about 120 to 150 dingoes on the island. I was very happy to see a few dingoes strolling around our resort, but I was not happy when I saw how some people behaved towards them. There was for example a young family and the dingo approached them searching for food. The young daughter - about four years of age - started running towards the dingo, obviously wanting to pet it and to play with. The parents just laughed about it. The dingo then walked away.
I was very angry at those parents and I think that if this happened to me now, I would say something. I did not dare to back then.

Please remember that dingoes are wild animals. Unfortunately they have now learned that humans with their bags, tents and cars can be a source of food, and that food can often be found near them, and they have lost some of their natural fear of humans. Thus, there have been several accidents over the years when people have been bitten by dingoes, and there was also one fatal accident when a boy was killed.
It is strictly prohibited to feed dingoes or to leave food or rubbish out. Please do not approach them and instead, just leave them alone - they are wild dogs, not pets.

The pictures I have attached were taken in wildlife parks, not on Fraser Island.

Hi I have been to Fraser Isle on many occasions, yes, there are snakes as with the whole of Australia. But, I have never seen one myself ever.
The tip is they are very shy and will run away rather than bite. Generaly if you walk heavily they will feel/hear you coming and run away.
Most people are bitten as they are trying to kill them, if you do encounter a snake just walk away and leave them alone.
Fraser is a beautiful Island and you will really enjoy the pristine nature here.
Re you camping or staying at the echo resort? if camping put all the food stuff away as the dingos are more of a nuisance tahn any snake, a dingo will bite you.
Anyway have a fabulous time it is SOOOOOOO! beautiful.

While on Fraser Island you will see dingoes and they can cause some problems but if you follow the rules you are given you will alright. Also if you are camping in a site that is not protected by fencing you will get a vidist from a dingo, the import thing to remember is to not feed them, if you do you are not only breaking to law but you also run the risk of having dingoes around the camp all night and they may get aggressive when you don't keep feeding them, so be warned, DON'T FEED THE DINGOES!

The dingoes aren't usually dangerous, but you'll still have to be carefull. Don't go out and have a wee on your own after dark, keep your tents closed and don't feed them. If you feed the dingoes, they may get aggresive when you stop feeding them. Also keep a close eye on your kids.

Walking around the Wagnggoolba Creek area our guide showed us the many holes in the ground, the home of the Funnel Web Spider, a very poisonous spider for which a vaccine now exists should anyone get bitten. Do not put your finger down the hole and you will be ok.

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When travelling any beach there is danger with incoming tides which rapidly engulf your vehicle and risk your life. A four wheel drive is essential for beach driving along Rainbow Beach and the 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island. These photos are examples of people caught out, it happens regularly. Remember in the tropics the tides are huge.