FRASER ISLAND: Autumn leaves are falling and so are the prices for a seasonal mini break on Fraser Island.  Kingfisher Bay Resort (on the sunset side of the island) is offering a Fraser Fantastic deal for $246 per hotel room, per night and villas from $346 per night including a $50 resort credit per day. Eurong Beach (on the surf side) is offering a Bed and Barge package for $155 per night in the hotel including ferry transfers. Some conditions apply.

Autumn's also action-packed with activities on island… here's a taste of what's in store.

1) March 28: Kingfisher Bay Switches Off For Earth Hour
The Danish Royal family do it; Nelly Furtado's singing about it; Astronomy Ireland's taking full advantage of it and, closer to home, Kingfisher Bay Resort will also show their commitment to our planet by supporting the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) global Earth Hour initiative this March. 

It won't be a case of lights completely out at the eco-resort, but power usage will be dimmed and trimmed as resort staff and guests alike are encouraged to switch off any unnecessary lights, air-conditioning and appliances in their rooms from 8.30pm on March 28.

Group General Manager, David Hay, said there were definite synergies between the resort's Eco Philosophy and the Earth Hour initiative.  The resort already has strategies in place to manage and reduce energy consumption including an automatic power hut-off system when the key is removed from the slot in hotel rooms. We also use of low energy fluorescent bulbs in rooms, landscape and street lighting.

2) April 3-6: Queensland's Easter Island
Fraser Island's temperate climes make the World Heritage site a popular choice for an Easter mini break – and this year is no exception.  On the surf side, Eurong Beach Resort's bakers will work overtime to produce their famous Hot Cross Buns and tasty Easter treats and resort guests will be able to celebrate the season with an Easter Egg hunt.

To the west, Kingfisher Bay Resort's Junior Eco Ranger program for youngsters will run daily during the school holidays and the Easter Bunny is scheduled to make an appearance for the resort's annual Easter Egg hunt.  The resort's spa therapists will also take advantage of the gorgeous weather by performing 30 minute outdoor poolside massages during the Easter long weekend.

Fraser Explorer Tours will run one and two-day island tours continuously over the Easter break, with departures from Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay, Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort – they're perfect for visiting friends or relatives.  To book call 1800 FRASER (toll free in Australia).

Fraser Island Barges will run additional vehicle and passenger ferry services for Good Friday, Easter Monday.  For full timetable and updates visit fraserislandbarges.com.au; facebook.com/fraserislandferry or call 1800 BARGES (toll free in Australia).

3) April 11-15: Learn To Four-Wheel-Drive On Fraser
Dave Darmody and the team from the Australian Offroad Academy have one goal in mind for their driver training sessions on Fraser Island and that's empowerment.  Students are introduced to practical driver training on a purpose-built training track at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

At the end of seven intense hours, Dave's graduates walk away with an understanding and the confidence to tackle steep hills, traverse broken ground, tame short jump ups and take on soft sand.  Add in a dose of recovery techniques and an understanding of the tides and terrain, and these student drivers are more than prepared for Fraser Island's tough conditions.

Autumn courses start at $510 (including GST) and are scheduled to run: Saturday, March 21; Saturday, April 11; Wednesday, April 15; Wednesday, May 13 and Saturday, May 23 and include return vehicle transfers to Fraser Island.  To book, contact Dave and his team on
+617 417 761 610.

4) April 25: Anzac Day Centenary Commemorations On The World's Largest Sand Island
Fraser Island's most famous landmark, The SS Maheno on 75 Mile Beach, is set to play a pivotal role in this year's Anzac Day Centenary celebrations on island. 

The SS Maheno was originally built as a luxury cruise liner operating on the trans-Tasman run between Australia and New Zealand. As World War I broke out, the liner was converted to a hospital ship and, some four months after the Gallipoli campaign started, was anchored offshore and served as a floating hospital for thousands of Australian and several hundred New Zealand soldiers.  When ANZACS were transferred to the French western front, the Maheno was there to transport soldiers from particularly bloody battles in Fromelles and Somme.

This year, a special Anzac Day Centenary Commemoration will take place at 10am in front of the Maheno wreck on Fraser Island's 75-Mile Beach and will feature some school children from Maheno presenting Fraser Island locals with a replica of the ship's bell. 

Kingfisher Bay and Eurong Beach Resort guests are welcome to attend the ceremony and must book their spots in advance with their respective accommodation providers, whilst day guests travelling from Hervey Bay can book a pick-up from Marina Kiosk (the Big Whale) at Urangan at 0600 sharp and will be transferred to River Heads (walk-on ferry) for the 0645 service to Kingfisher Bay Resort and 4WD coach transfer to The Maheno for the service.  Guests will return on the 1400 or 1700 service ex Kingfisher Bay Resort and tickets cost $95pp. Bookings are essential and some conditions apply.

The folks at Kingfisher Bay Resort* are offering one night in a standard hotel room on April 24, with buffet breakfast and walk-on ferry for $220 twin share whilst Eurong Beach Resort* is offering a standard hotel room with buffet breakfast and walk-on ferry transfers to Wanggoolba Creek for $200*. These offers are not available with any other offer and ceremony transfers are not included (see above).

For bookings, call 1800 FRASER (toll free in Australia) or visit Kingfisherbay.com/Eurong.com.au. *Some conditions apply.

5) 21-24 May: Yoga And Wellness Retreat
Fraser Island's pristine sites are perfect for those wishing to commune with nature or those wanting to recharge as we head into the second half of the year.  The folks at Nature Yoga Retreats have recognised this and will run an all-inclusive wellness retreat from May 21 at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Suitable for beginners and intermediates, yoga and meditation classes will be offered in traditional controlled environments, as well as outdoors for moving/walking/sitting meditation sessions on the world's largest sand island. 

A private Chef will prepare and serve gluten-free, wholefoods during your stay and, as an added bonus; Michael Smith - of Michael Smith Photography and seasoned Fraser Island explorer - will join the group to offer tips and tricks of the trade.

Priced at $1395 (for early birds who book before May 31) or $1665 per person, the retreat includes all meals, ferry/airport transfers from Hervey Bay, Yoga workshops and the private chef and photography tutor.  To book call Ashley on +61 497 603 866. Early bird deals are available.

And rounding out our top six…

6) 29 May – 01 June: Clubbies To Clean Up Fraser Island
Fraser Island is famous for its pristine beaches, but flotsam and jetsam and inconsiderate litterbugs can take their toll. Enter the good folks from Four Wheel Drive Queensland – the driving force behind the grand-scale Annual Fraser Island Clean Up.

From 29 May, Queensland 4WD Club their members will descend on Fraser Island to help clean it up.  Eurong Beach Resort is offering a 20% discount for participants and Fraser Island Barges is also offering discounts on return vehicle transfers from River Heads.  For more information, visit 4wdqld.com.au. Call 1800 373 737 (toll free in Australia) for Eurong bookings OR 1800 072 555 (toll free in Australia) for barge bookings.

Media Contact
Jodi Clark media@kingfisherbay.com Ph +617 3032 2809 @JodiMClark  ​