What should I pack for K'gari?

K'gari has a maritime subtropical climate with steady daytime highs of 21°C to 30°C throughout the year. You can expect some rainfall throughout the year, but March is the wettest month with 10 days on average. Bring clothing that's comfortable to wear all day — think t-shirts, leggings and shorts. Activewear is a good option as it's lightweight and dries quickly.

Winter days are mild and sunny enough for you to bask in the sun, but the temperature drops at night, with lows of 9°C in July, the coldest month. Bring a long-sleeved shirt and a jumper or fleece to rug up. You'll also need a light waterproof jacket — especially between December and May which see the most rain.

K'gari is a sand island, so there's a good chance you'll kick off your shoes and go barefoot a lot of the time. However, you’ll still need a pair of runners for forest and headland trails. Hiking sandals are a good option as you can also wear them when exploring the island's rock pools, creeks and lakes.

Don’t forget a pair of thongs. They’re handy for short, flat trails and boardwalks, and around your hotel or campsite.

Although sea swimming isn't safe on K'gari, there are still plenty of swimming opportunities. Jump into the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie, float down Eli Creek or cool off in Champagne Pools.

Learn more about swimming on K'gari

A quick-dry towel is handy to dry off after a swim and won't weigh your bag down.

The UV is high on K'gari. Bring water-resistant sunscreen with high SPF and make sure you top up regularly. It's important to note that you shouldn’t wear sunscreen when you swim in the island's perched lakes as sunscreen chemicals can pollute the water.

Some areas of the island aren’t shaded so a sunhat and sunglasses are essential. Ideally, bring a hat that covers your entire head and neck.

K'gari is a subtropical island, so expect mosquitoes. Insect repellent will also deter sand flies. Ensure you don’t enter the lakes after spraying insect repellent (it's the same situation as the sunscreen). You could also wear long-sleeved tops and pants for extra protection.

Suitcases and sand aren’t the best of friends. You’ll be much better off with a small rucksack or overnight bag.

You might also want to consider bringing a small day bag for your essentials, including sunscreen, phone, water bottle, snacks, etc.

Staying hydrated is really important, especially when you’re out all day in the sun. K'gari has plenty of water stations dotted around the island where you can refill throughout the day. Hydro flasks are a great option as they’ll keep your water cool.

Exploring all day can work up quite an appetite. Stock up on high-energy snacks like granola bars, nuts and chocolate for in-between meals.

Last but not least, don’t forget your camera... and a spare battery or charger. Fraser Island is so beautiful, it'll be hard to put your camera down.