World Heritage listed Fraser Island hosts a unique flora which grows in contradiction with the laws of nature. Amazingly enough, its rainforest is the only one in the world to grow on sand (Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island). That's the way it has been off the coast of Hervey Bay for the past 800,000 years! The flora of the island includes rainforest plants dating from prehistoric times and gigantic trees (photo) whose wood was used for the construction of the Suez and Panama Canals. On a Fraser Island tour, we noticed that the landscape changes drastically from one place to another which can sometimes be very surprising. Wildlife encounters occur quite often on the island which provides protection to a rich fauna made of mammals (wallabies, possums, echidnas, dingoes, etc.), reptiles (snakes, goannas, frogs, etc.) and birds (there are over 350 different species of birds on the island). Never feed the wildlife though (heavy fines apply) and be dingo-aware. When we realize the richness and variety of Fraser Island flora and fauna, it is not surprising to learn that academics from all around the world land on the island each year to study it.
What do you think? Have you been to Fraser Island? Which plants of Australia do you find the most amazing? How did you feel when you came across a dingo? Let us know in the comments below!
