FRASER ISLAND -THE WORLD'S LARGEST SAND ISLAND - PART 1 -ORIGIN AND FORMATION

The origin of the Fraser Island began many millions of years ago when sand grains from eroding features on the ancient super continent of Gondwanaland settled over a shallow continental shelf. These accumulations occurred over a volcanic base and were carried on the Indo-Australian plate as it drifted north.
Eventually the Australian continent took its present shape and the 4 large sand islands off the Queensland coast were a legacy of an earlier origin. Fraser Island is the largest of these islands. It contains a variety of sand formations, vegetation types and the unique landscapes of perched lakes and the presence of sections of rainforest. Part 1, the first in the 3 part series, has a focus on the origin and the formation of this sand features. Part 2 has a focus on tourism and world heritage. Part 3 deals with the 2020 bushfire. Find out why an island composed mainly of mobile sands has survived through millions of years.