Fraser Island Rainforest

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This tract of lush rainforest on Fraser Island is unusual when you consider that Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. While sand cannot retain water, the slow build up of dead plants create a layer of material over the sand and slows the water from seeping into the ground. This phenomenon explains why river levels can be low during a flood and high during a drought. It actually takes many years for the water to seep into the underground river system, so the river levels are telling of rainfall that fell decades ago.

Fraser Island not only supports subtropical rainforests, but also fresh water lakes. Lake McKenzie for example has pristine clear water fringed by pure white sand beaches.