Beachfront camping areas temporarily closed on K’gari

Issued: 15 Aug 2023

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has temporarily closed several beachfront camping areas on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) as a proactive measure following recent people and wongari (dingo) negative interactions.

Beachfront camping zones 3 (Poyungan and Winnam), 4 (Guluri and Eli) and 5 (Maheno and Wahba) will be closed from 17 August until further notice.

Campers already camping in these zones will be permitted to stay at their sites until 17 August, after this date campers will need to move to a different camping area.

These campsites will remain closed during the September school holidays.

There are plenty of alternative camping areas available including beachfront camping zones 1 (Govi and Wongai), 2 (One Tree, Cornwells, Gabala) and 6 (Eugarie, Yurru and Guruman), or in the fenced camping areas at Eli, One Tree, Wongai and Cornwells on the eastern side of the island.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are also asking visitors to avoid preparing or consuming food and sunbaking lying down at Eli Creek and lakeshores areas.

There have been a number of high-risk interactions between visitors and dingoes currently frequenting the area between Poyungan Rocks and The Pinnacles.

Rangers are closely monitoring the wongari situation and will be conducting additional patrols and briefings in cooperative wongari management to educate visitors on dingo safety and awareness.

Rangers are taking this action in line with the Dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy to reduce the potential for further negative interactions, and to minimise the risks of increased habituation by the animals to help ensure the long-term conservation of the wongari population on K’gari.

In order to keep wongari wild and to stay safe while on K’gari, visitors, tour operators and residents are advised to Be dingo-safe! on K’gari. In particular:

  • NEVER feed or touch dingoes.
  • Always stay within arm’s reach of children, even small teenagers.
  • Walk in groups and carry a stick.
  • Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction.
  • Camp in fenced areas when possible.
  • Lock up food in stores and iceboxes (even on a boat).
  • Never store food or food containers in tents.
  • Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.

All wongari interactions should be reported to QPWS immediately on (07) 4127 9150 or by emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au.

Take note of the location, wongari ear tag colour, number and which ear.

For further information about wongari on K’gari, visit About K'gari dingoes.

Latest updates on the camping area closure will be available at: K'gari.

A full list of fenced camping areas can be found at: Camping areas with wongari (dingo) deterrent fences.