Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and one of the most unique ecological masterpieces of Australia which is packed of almost all the nature’s wonder from its white sand beaches, crystal clear lakes, rich and abundant wildlife and lush rainforests.
The beaches definitely have cool blue waters, very much pure and free from any indication of pollution. In fact there are more than 40 lakes in the island, each are unique and each are beautiful in its own way. Lake McKenzie is one of the largest on the island which is perfect for swimming or sun baking. It is a perched lake which was formed by rainwater being caught in saucer-shaped depressions with a hard impervious base of organic matter. In additon, Lake Wabby is especially unique as it is formed by the damming effect of a sand blow blocking the waters of a natural spring. Wabby is close to the eastern beach side of the island and unlike the other lakes it’s emerald green waters supports several species of fish. Aside from this things Fraser Island has also a very unique wildlife that boasts many rare species of wildlife.
However, one notable scenery and nature’s gift that has to be really noticed while in this amazing island is its colorful and awesome sand dunes. The Sand dunes are the building blocks of this island, as it was commonly called as the only sand island in the world. The sand on Fraser island is the result of erosion of the great dividing range which is located on the eastern coast of Australia. Then, afterwards a continental drift pattern pushes this sand up onto the coast of the south eastern Queensland. It is along this coast that there is a vast collection of sandy islands which include the spectacular Moreton island and the Stradbroke Island
As regards to Fraser Island’s past dune formations it is well believed that many dune formations have formed on Fraser island over the past 100 000 years and presently there could have at least 7 layers of dunes in the island. Most of these dunes however has already been stabilized through vegetation. The dune formation is part of the evolution of the Fraser Island and will of course continue for thousands of years which are yet to come. Many experts on the field of sand formations estimated that the island is growing every year. The highest dune in Fraser Island is 240m above sea level. The sandblows which are located along the portion of the eastern coast of the island today are mobile and are not being replaced by sands from the beaches, but from the sand excavated by the prevailing south-easterly winds from deflation corridors. Then, these sand dunes slowly by slowly starts to cover the entire island which often results into burying rainforests and other plants. Usually, the rate of movement of the dunes each year depends on factors such as wind strength, the amount of moisture in the sand and plant colonization. These dunes will gradually stop moving when they reach areas protected from the winds. However, the young dunes behind the eastern beaches are colonized and stabilized by spinifex grass and other coastal plants adapted to harsh salt and wind conditions. In the sheltered central regions of the island, where the dunes are stable and there are more nutrients for growth, diverse plant communities and rainforests are found.There is this also the famous colored sands on Fraser Island which are situated on the northern part of the Eli Creek and have almost 72 different colors, mostly reds and yellows. The sand colors are caused by the leaching of oxides that coat each grain of sand, causing bands of color.
Related Fraser Island posts:
- Fraser Island “Cathedrals” – A Feast of Multi-coloured Breath-taking Sand Cliffs The unique topographical gem of Fraser Island, dubbed as “Cathedrals”...
Tags: adventure, brisbane, destinations, Fraser island, Queensland, sand dunes, tourism, travel
This entry was posted on Thursday, November 17th, 2011 at 12:18 am
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