My Honest Fraser Island Kingfisher Bay Resort Review (K’gari)

I’m sharing my honest Fraser Island Kingfisher Bay Resort review for anyone wondering if it’s worth staying here for a getaway, special occasion or as a way to base yourself for seeing all of the sights on the world’s largest sand island.

In this review, you’ll read about what it’s like staying at this resort, the activities on offer, what the restaurants are like and much more!

Table of Contents

What makes Kingfisher Bay Resort special?

Kingfisher Bay Resort is the most exclusive resort in K’gari, formerly Fraser Island, home to 1500 beds, offering numerous facilities, tours and much more to keep you entertained. There’s four swimming pools to choose from, and even a fun kids club called the ‘Junior eco ranger program’ so you can relax while the kids are being entertained.

Where is Kingfisher Bay Resort?

Kingfisher Bay Resort is located on the Western side of Fraser Island, opposite the car ferry transfer. Set in a stunning amphitheatre, the resort is nestled in the amazing Wallam Wetlands, home to a variety of plant and bird species. The tropical setting is absolutely beautiful, making it easily the most beautiful resort on the island in my opinion.

How to get there

You’ll need to head to River Heads Shopping Village to check in before dropping your bags off at the reception. Don’t worry though, the shopping village is tiny and it won’t be hard to miss the reception office. If you’re hungry, there’s a cafe here you can buy a toastie if you’re in a hurry like we were. There are snack on the boat, but nothing substantial if you needed some food before stopping there.

Otherwise I would stop in Maryborough on the way up. If you stop there, you absolutely must go visit the Cistern Chapel which is Australia’s poshest public toilets. Sounds totally random but it’s actually really amazing!

When you get to K’gari (Fraser Island), a little train is there to pick you up and take you to the resort. You can walk the 300m instead if you prefer.

If you are travelling interstate and from Sydney for example, you can easily jump on a flight to Hervey Bay and you’ll get return transfers from the airport to the resort.

Arriving at Kingfisher Bay Resort

We were actually pleasantly surprised by the resort when we got there not only for it’s stunning setting, but because the design is actually really cool. The high ceilings and openness makes you feel like you’re in the rainforest.

Considering we have been to a lot of islands in Australia and stayed at various resorts, Kingfisher Bay Resort is up there for being one of the best.

I was actually pretty surprised by the modern Australian restaurants, and facilities here.

Rooms to consider

With various rooms to consider, some of which have interconnecting resort hotel rooms – perfect for groups, you also have the option for staying in the self-contained villas which cater for one, two or three bedrooms, perfect for families travelling interstate. They come with complete privacy, thanks to their natural surroundings and would make the perfect option for a getaway from the city.

Our room was opposite the Wallam Wetlands and we even had an ocean view as well from our nice and cool air conditioned room (highly needed as it was so hot when we visited!). We had a really good sleep here in the super comfy king size bed, complete with a TV, fridge, bathroom and a beautiful wallpaper print of the famous Fraser Island sand tracks.

Restaurants at the resort

There are three resort restaurants and three bars to choose from at Kingfisher Bay Resort. Choose from the massive buffet breakfast at the Sand & Wood Restaurant which includes hot food, pastries, fruit & yoghurt and much more.

For lunch you can choose between Sand & Wood and The Sand Bar & Bistro which is the pub just a few hundreds metres from the main complex.

And for dinner, opt for either The Sand Bar & Bistro for a pub dinner or go to Dune Restaurant which is an upmarket Asian restaurant located next to the stunning The Rainforest Bar. We ate at Dune and really enjoyed the excellent service and food choices here. We paid about $80 for two mains and a couple of beers.

Choose between four bars at kingfisher Bay Resort

Did you know there are four bars to choose from at Kingfisher Bay Resort? Located at the main complex, you’ll find the Maheno Bar which is next door to Sand & Wood, and is open all day.

The Rainforest Bar next to Dune is the more upmarket bar and a great spot for pre or post dinner drinks.

You’ve also got the bar at The Sand Bar & Bistro to have drinks with your meals or opt for The Sunset Bar which is a fab little bar, perfect for, you guessed it… sunset!

Four pools to choose from

Kingfisher Bay Resort really pulls out the stops for being home to four lagoon swimming pools to choose from, one being at The Sand Bar & Bistro. and the others located at the front of the main complex. You could easily spend all day here, but be warned, it’s busy with kids running around. If you’re after something a bit quieter, opt for the pool at The Sand Bar & Bistro.

Resort activities

There’s so many ways to spend your time at the nature based retreat surrounded by the amazing wildlife. These are the following activities you need to put on your list when staying here:

Wallam Wetland Walk

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As soon as we arrived at Kingfisher Bay Resort, we jumped on the Wallam Wetland Walk which was a fun 30 minutes of being shown the wildlife, flora & fauna that was right on the grounds of the resort. Everyone should do this nature based activity just to gain a good understanding of what a remarkable sight the resort sits on. It’s really fascinating learning all about the medicinal benefits the plants have that were used for thousands of years by the traditional owners of the land, the Butchulla people.

The Bushtucker Talk & Taste Session

The Bushtucker Talk & Taste Session is an amazing experience I highly recommend following on from the Wetland walk. We absolutely loved this experience learning all about the various seeds, plants and fruits that have loads of health benefits. I highly recommend doing this popular activity, one you should absolutely tick off your Fraser Island bucket list.

You’ll discover how these foods are sourced, prepared, and used in traditional cooking. It’s an awesome experience that offers a deeper understanding of the island’s Aboriginal heritage and their connection to the land, along with the chance to try unique flavours and dishes.

Go on a ranger guided segway tour

While you’re at Kingfisher Bay Resort, jump on a segway tour led by a ranger to learn about the island’s eco-system and how all of the water used on the island comes from the underground system. It’s a fun, eco-friendly way to explore, suitable for most ages and fitness levels.

Enjoy an exciting night walk

A night walk at Kingfisher Bay is an experience that reveals the nocturnal side of Fraser Island. Guided by a ranger, you’ll venture into the darkness of the tranquil surroundings, discovering the island’s wildlife that comes alive at night on a Night Walk.

If a night adventure is your kind of thing, then the sounds of the forest, the rustling of leaves, and the possibility of spotting unique creatures like nocturnal birds, reptiles, or even dingoes, make this walk an exciting adventure.

Don’t miss the popular sunset cruise

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We had planned to do a sunset cruise but unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side. The sunset cruise from Kingfisher Bay Resort is the perfect way to end a day on Fraser Island.

As you sail along the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the sunset over the island and the mainland. It’s a peaceful and picturesque experience that showcases the natural beauty of Fraser Island from a different perspective.

Book a personalised and customised tour of the island

If you don’t fancy going on a tour bus or driving around the island yourself, you can book a personalised tour. You’ll receive a dedicated tour guide, a premium picnic lunch, and a flexible itinerary so you can go visit the attractions you want to see.

Don’t miss the spectacular whale watching cruise and swim experience

Fraser Island is one of the best places in Australia to see the famous whale migration. The whale watching cruise takes place between July – October where you’ll see plenty of whales putting on a show as they make their way up and down the East Coast of Australia.

What’s more exciting is Fraser Island is one of the only places in Australia where you can swim with humpback whales. Upgrade your cruise and opt for a swim with whales experience for a bucket list like no other!

Chill out in the Island Day Spa

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It doesn’t have to be all about adventure on Fraser Island. Why not spend the day at the beautiful Island Day Spa and book a relaxing treatment? They offer facials and massages here so you can totally melt away any work stress into the far distance.

Try your hand at archery

You see, Fraser Island isn’t all about the sand! Why not try something new and opt for having a go at archery? This fun sport is perfect for over 10 year olds, providing a new family friendly experience.

The kids will love the Junior Eco Ranger Program

Visiting during the school holidays and wondering how you can have a family friendly holiday without having to end the holiday feeling exhausted? The Junior Eco Ranger Program runs every school holidays providing wildlife experiences run by the rangers, so you can sit back and relax by the pool.

You kids will spend their time playing scavenger hunts, doing lots of crafts, bush walks, campfires, stargazing and night walk adventures.

Would I stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort again?

I was really impressed with Kingfisher Bay Resort and would happily stay here again on my next visit to K’gari (Fraser Island) after a memorable getaway that we experienced. I thought the staff were excellent, the food was good and the activities are fantastic. The rangers are super knowledgeable that you’ll come away learning loads from your holiday adventure.

This is a fantastic resort for families, but also for people looking for comfort when staying on Fraser Island while being able to see all of the main attractions in a wonderful experience.

Looking for more things to do in Fraser Island?

If you need help planning your trip to the world heritage listed wonders, check out our 31 Best Things To Do In Fraser Island guide which includes all of the spectacular sights from the best lakes to visit, tours, hidden gems and so much more! Expect to read about Lake Mckenzie, as well as the lesser known Lake Boomanjin, an epic scenic flight with Air Fraser.

Things to do know before going to Fraser Island

Unsure how to plan your trip to Fraser Island (K’gari)? Check out our guide for 15 Things To Know About Planning A Fraser Island Trip as I break down some of the things you might have no idea about including sacred places only women and are allowed to visit, hidden gems and much more.

How to get around Fraser Island

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Meanwhile in terms of getting around the island, you have a few options to consider which is either a 4WD Coach Tour (which is what we did), a tag-along tour which is popular with backpackers, hire your own 4WD or trek the island on the 90KM Fraser Island Great Walk.

Check out our guide for the Best Fraser Island Tours vs Tag-along Tours vs Self Drive to help you decide which option suits you best.

I’d also recommend checking out my 4WD K’Gari Explorer Tour Review so you can see what our tour actually looked like. I break down everything about the tour in the most honest light so you can decide if it’s right for you.

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