With a diverse landscape of rain forests, freshwater lakes, and beaches, Fraser Island off the cost of Australia, is the world's largest sand island. Originally named "K’gari," which means paradise in the local Aboriginal language, the island is located off the east coast of the continent and is 75 miles long and 13 miles wide. Although it supports many different ecosystems, the island's claim to fame is its 100,000 year-old dune system, which constantly changes due to continental drift. The highest dune on the island is 787 feet high and and is ringed in beautiful reds and yellows.
When to go: A local favorite, Fraser Island is a great place to visit almost any time of the year. That being said, the best time to visit is from April to October because it's warm enough to take a dip in the freshwater lakes.
What to do: With many activities from fishing to four-wheel driving, Fraser Island appeals to anyone's adventure desires. Head over to the sandy highway of Seventy-Five Mile Beach, let your windows down and drive past the colored sand cliffs. If you want to swim, consider cooling off in the clear, bubbly water of Champagne Pools. Fraser Island’s trail system has paths for athletic hikers and leisurely walkers. Venture into the rainforest to spot some of the 354 species of birds within the tree canopies or explore the Maheno shipwreck, which ran aground in 1935. Lastly, if you visit between August and October, head to Indian Head for possible humpback whale sightings.