Aerial view of Great Sandy Strait marina
Aerial view of Great Sandy Strait marina
Aerial view of Great Sandy Strait marina

Explore
The Great Sandy Strait (Biosphere)

Disconnect from the hustle and bustle and find an easier way of life and a slower pace in the Great Sandy Strait. Its calm, clear turquoise waters and varied countryside lay the foundation for a laid-back getaway.

The strait is part of the Great Sandy Biosphere which covers 874,000 hectares of land between Gympie and Bundaberg and 540,000 hectares of marine park, incorporating K’gari-Fraser Island and Ramsar-listed wetlands. It was designated by UNESCO in 2009 as a reserve of cultural and ecological significance and is in the same class as the Galapagos Islands, the Central Amazon and Uluru.

The waters of the biosphere, sheltered by K’gari-Fraser Island and Hervey Bay, rival the Whitsundays, providing unique sailing conditions and stunning scenery. They are home to dugongs, turtles, and rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. The Great Sandy Biosphere contains almost half of all Australia’s bird species and is a critical habitat for more than 7000 species of flora and fauna, some of which are rare or endangered.

Things to do

Sea Explorer K’gari (Fraser Island)

Nature & Wildlife

Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia

Hervey Bay Nature & Wildlife

Blue Dolphin Fraser Island Eco Adventure Sail

Nature & Wildlife

Sandy Straits Scenic & Wildlife Cruise – The Boat Club

Nature & Wildlife

Remote Fraser Island Tour – Tasman Venture

Nature & Wildlife

Blue Dolphin Champagne Sunset Sail

Hervey Bay Nature & Wildlife

Charlton Apartments

Apartments & Hostels

Poona Palms Holiday Park

Hervey Bay Caravan Parks & Camping

Burrum Heads Beachfront Tourist Park

Caravan Parks & Camping

BreakFree Great Sandy Straits

Apartments & Hostels

Mantra Hervey Bay

Apartments & Hostels

Fraser Coast RV Park

Hervey Bay Caravan Parks & Camping

Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa

K'gari–Fraser Island Apartments & Hostels

Sanctuary Lakes Fauna Retreat

Caravan Parks & Camping

Discovery Parks- Fraser Street, Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay Caravan Parks & Camping

Akama Resort

Apartments & Hostels

Sunlodge Tourist Park

Apartments & Hostels
Plan your visit

The Great Sandy straits are located in the waters of the Fraser Coast, sheltered by K’gari-Fraser Island and Hervey Bay, rival the Whitsundays, providing unique sailing conditions and stunning scenery. They are home to dugongs, turtles and rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

The coastal villages of Maaroom, Boonooroo, Poona, Tuan and Tinnanbar are at the heart of the southern section of the biosphere and are accessed via the Maryborough-Cooloola Road. Yachts, catamarans (pre-bookings required) or even the humble tinny can be hired in Hervey Bay.

Enjoy being surrounded by the crystal clear waters of our backyard when you sail this marine sanctuary and explore the remote western side of Fraser Island. You’ll get a chance to explore the many fishing and diving options or discover the quaint heritage-listed lighthouses on Woody Island.

Put your feet up in the coastal communities of Tinnanbar, Maaroom, Boonoroo, Tuan and Poona. These spots are at the heart of the Great Sandy Strait. There are a range of caravan and villa style accommodation options available that are a match made in heaven for relaxing and fishing.

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