Kingfisher Bay Resort Review, Fraser Island (K’gari): What it’s like to stay
Sheltered on the western shore of K’gari (Fraser Island), Kingfisher Bay Resort is where wilderness and comfort collide. On one side, you have a dense eucalyptus forest and on the other, the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait.
For those looking for somewhere to stay on Fraser Island, this eco-resort is one of the best places to base yourself to explore the world’s largest sand island — it’s off-grid living, wild and remote, but you don’t have to rough it.
Kingfisher Bay is designed to sit quietly within its surroundings, not being too flashy or deter away from the wilderness. It has elevated boardwalks and buildings made from hoop pine wood, so it seems to disappear into the forest, rather than jut out from it.
But it’s not just a place to stay. It has guided ranger walks, off-road adventures, canoe trips, wildlife talks, and so much more – making it a resort that functions both as a retreat and a gateway to adventure.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari, this is our honest review based on our stay, which will hopefully give you an idea of what to expect.
Table Of Contents
- About Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island, Australia
- Kingfisher Bay Resort Review: The accommodation
- Amenities at Kingfisher Bay Resort
- Things to do at Kingfisher Bay Resort
- Check-In/Check-Out Experience
- The Verdict: Would we recommend Kingfisher Bay Resort?
- More Fraser Island Travel Tips
About Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island, Australia
When you think of exploring Fraser Island (K’gari), the world’s largest sand island, you’re mostly thinking of adventure off-road 4-wheel driving and a bit of beach camping with wild dingoes – the ultimate adventure.
So when we found out about a world-class eco-resort with luxury amenities on the island, we were surprised this remote wilderness had something more relaxing to offer. Of course, curiosity meant we had to check it out.
Kingfisher Bay Resort is an award-winning resort that has been running since 1992 on K’gari (Fraser Island). It was built around the same time that Fraser Island was made a World Heritage site, marking a change in tides for the island that was starting to open its doors to tourism.
Although the resort’s construction meant that this wilderness wasn’t as wild anymore, the resort has and always has been designed with environmental efforts in mind. In the early 90s, this was pioneering, putting Kingfisher Bay Resort as one of the first to think eco-tourism in Australia.
During construction, they used the natural landscape as inspiration for the buildings, using curved roofs that mirror the dunes on the island, and using materials sourced from the island. It was always meant to be a place that integrates with the natural environment, but also offer luxury.
The resort is not just a place to stay, but a base for exploration. It offers tours, eco ranger talks for kids, guided walks, whale watching excursions, and 4WD hire, so you can really experience the best that Fraser has to offer.
Kingfisher Bay Resort is on the quieter western side of Fraser Island, right where the car ferry from River Head drops you off.
At first, I thought we were missing out by staying on the western side because the action seemed to be on the wild and rugged eastern surf side. But, in the end, I quite liked the softer experience – the calm waters, the surrounding bush, the hard, flat sand, and the magnificent sunsets. Plus, it meant we were away from the coach tours and crowds.
Kingfisher Bay Resort Review: The accommodation
Kingfisher Bay resort has different accommodation types ranging from two and three-bedroom self-contained villas, loft villas, multi-share Wilderness Lodges, resort hotel rooms, and Kingfisher Houses. Villas and houses are more expensive than resort rooms.
Since we were travelling as a family, we opted for a tree-top executive villa, which was like a small three-story split-level house.
We loved it, especially its location set high on the tree-covered sand dunes. I just wish we had more time to relax inside it we were so busy exploring beautiful Fraser Island.
It was a spacious and comfortable accommodation with three bedrooms, large bathroom, a huge lounge room with a gas fire, a dining room, laundry facilities, wifi, and a full kitchen. It was also a short walk from the main amenities of the resort, making it perfect for larger families.
See Prices & Availability Here
Amenities at Kingfisher Bay Resort
Sand & Wood Restaurant
There are several choices for restaurants at Kingfisher Bay Resort. There are also several bars at the resort, including the brand-new Rainforest Bar.
The buffet breakfast at Sand & Wood had plenty of options and was of standard buffet breakfast style. The waffle station was a particular favourite spot on the buffet table. The restaurant of an evening does alternate between buffet and a la carte, depending on season.
I’m not a huge fan of buffets and I was worried about overeating so I went for the buffet only instead of combining it with a full breakfast meal. I wish I did it with the meal instead. There weren’t that many options for me being gluten-free, so a meal would have been better and I wouldn’t have overeaten.
The Sand Bar and Bistro
We recommend splurging for a bistro meal at the Sandbar Restaurant, which has a relaxed atmosphere with a bush-inspired menu. The head chef has drawn inspiration from Fraser Island’s indigenous Butchulla tribe – crafting his menus to blend seasonal, local produce, fresh seafood, Australian bush tucker, and island living.
You must stop at the bar before dinner for some bush-inspired cocktails. Some of your favourite cocktails with a twist, including local indigenous ingredients. And then instead of dessert, go for the affogato. It was the first time Craig had it and we both loved it (yes I snuck a bit of his)
Babysitting at Kingfisher Bay Resort
How did Craig and I get to actually have time alone to enjoy all that beautiful food? A baby sitter of course!
Kingfisher Bay offers a babysitting service for guests. Fiona came to our villa to spend a few hours with the girls, and they totally loved her. She took them for a walk around the property and through the resort gardens, pointing out the many different indigenous plants.
Outdoor Swimming Pools
The swimming pools are pretty awesome. The girls actually convinced me to get into the water for a swim (I hate cold water). I didn’t last long before escaping to the heated spa which suited me better.
Or better yet, the poolside bar that offers refreshing drinks and light snacks. It was a beautiful, relaxing outlook and we enjoyed our last twenty minutes there before our ferry came to whisk us to Hervey Bay.
Tennis Courts
If you like to get active on your vacation, then head over to the outdoor tennis court for a game or two. There is only one tennis court at the resort, so you need to be patient.
Island Day Spa
Take a break from the adventure and enjoy the resorts spa services. You can indulge in many forms of body treatments, from facials to massages. If you want to enjoy the spa treatments, you will need to make a reservation beforehand.
K’gari Discovery Centre
Within Kingfisher Bay Resort, adjacent to the Village Store Complex, is the K’gari Discovery Centre, which is where you can book tours, learn about the island’s ecology through stunning photographs and informative displays, and join ranger programs.
The resort has partnered with the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), who provide knowledgable Resort Rangers who are USC graduates.
Things to do at Kingfisher Bay Resort
Kingfisher Bay Resort is not just about resting your head, but about enjoying the adventures of the island. Here are some of the things you can do at the resort…
1. Catch incredible sunsets on the Island of Paradise
People come rushing from all over the island at around 4:30pm to catch the sun going down. The unassuming Jetty Hut Beach Bar, the unofficial sunset bar, is where they flock to grab their sundowners – bottles of champagne and platters of prawns, cheese, and crackers are on offer.
So, we enjoyed the sunset on western beach, which was the perfect spot away from the larger crowds. We watched the sun go down with a platter of cheese and biscuits and the drinks as well.
Cheese and prawn platter with ice-cold beer and cider. As you’re right on the beach the girls had fun building sandcastles while the sunset.
2. Experience the Bush Tucker Talk and Taste Experience
We enjoyed experiencing the Bush Tucker Talk and
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