Fraser Island History on display at Central Station…
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. It is world heritage listed and for good reason. It is honestly a place that covers such beautiful natural diversity.
A mosaic of pristine white sand, lush rainforest and unspoilt wilderness. A great place to learn and experience all this is at Central Station.
What is Central Station on Fraser Island?
Central Station is a camping area on Fraser Island. It’s located along Wanggoolba Creek in the rainforest-filled centre of the island. It is a beautiful location. It also has loads to look at and discover nearby.
The Picnic and Camping Facility for Visitors to Central Station
Particularly the rainforest boardwalk and the many hiking tracks in the area. Discover the island’s early history and take in the natural beauty of this part of the island.
Where is Central Station Located
Central station is located on Fraser Island – off the Queensland coast – east of Gympie and Rainbow Beach.
Once on Fraser Island, it can be found 45km north of Hook Point and 8.6km inland from the eastern beach township of Eurong.
How to get to Central Station Fraser Island
How to Get to Central Station
From the eastern beach, you need to drive through to Eurong. From here you need to follow the signs to Central Station. The track is about 8.6km long and will take approximately 30 minutes by 4WD vehicle.
The track is sandy in some places and as you enter midway becomes harder and full of bumps and holes that will need to be carefully navigated.
From the western side either from Wanngoolba barge landing or Kingfisher, the tracks are well signposted. Once again the track is only 9.4km kilometres from the barge landing but will take about 30-45 minutes.
The drive through the tracks is beautiful. The changing landscape from scrubby bush to lush rainforest is amazing.
I recommend you drive with your windows down to smell the freshness in the air and listen to the sounds of all the birds and insects happily chirping and singing away.
You will be in awe at the size of the surrounding massive Kauri pines and Satinay trees as you drive through the canopy.
What is the History of Central Station on Fraser Island?
Central Station has a very interesting history. Originally, Central Station was a sacred site for the aboriginal Butchulla tribe.
Wanggoolba Creek at Central Station along the Boardwalk
It was a sanctuary for the aboriginal women to birth to their babies under the rainforest canopy along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek.
The calming serenity of the creek flowing and the natural fragrance of the moist air created an ethereal atmosphere perfect for mothers and babies.
In fact, it was a space where no men were allowed.
Then with the introduction of the ” white man” and the exploration of the island, it was found that logging the magnificent rainforest trees was a prosperous new industry.
In 1863 the first timber was cut by a man named “Yankee” Jack Piggot.
Central Station grew from a logging camp into a small township, as logging workers and their families moving onto the island.
In the 1920’s a small school was built for the children of the workers. You can see pictures and an actual fully restored workers’ cottage that is rather interesting.
Central station history – abandoned logging equipment
Today, when you visit Central Station it has some of the original buildings and machinery that was used back in the logging days.
It has a rich and interesting history that you can learn all about when you visit.
What is there to do at Central Station?
If you want to learn about the history of Fraser Island a visit to Central Station is a must do.
Here you can learn about the early Aboriginal settlement, the logging and its pioneering history.
Central station is a main track that most people will pass through at some point if they are crossing the western side of the island to the eastern beach past Eurong.
It is worthy of a stop if you want to know more about the island’s history if you like bush walking through the luscious rainforest or need a resting spot for a picnic.
Central Station is very interesting with lots of machinery, memorabilia and interpretive displays to look at. It’s a great place to set up for a picnic or BBQ under the canopy of the rainforest.
The area is full of enormous Kauri and Hoop pines as well as plenty of beautiful Stag horns that can be found along the boardwalk of the creek.
Look out for the prehistoric Angiopteris Ferns growing in the sandy creek bed. Then have fronds reaching 24 feet wide. They look like something from the Jurassic Park movie. You can almost imagine dinosaurs roaming the area. The kids will love it.
If you get the opportunity, dip your toes in the freezing water of the creek and smell just how fresh the air is under the rainforest canopy.
It truly is an ethereal experience to be immersed in such natural beauty. Remember to take lots of photos as the striking emerald green colours of the moss and ferns make for fantastic Instagram shots.
Central Station Rainforest – Boardwalk through the Rain Forrest
Central Station Rainforest Walk
Also from Central Station, you can also take a rainforest walk on one of the hiking tracks if you have the energy. One of the best walks is from Central Station to Pile Valley.
You walk alongside Wanggoolba Creek ( keep an eye out for Eels ) in the thick of the rainforest beneath enormous Kauri Pines and Brushbox.
It has a short incline to the top but nothing too strenuous. The circuit is approximately 4.6km ( 2-2.5 hours ) but well worth the effort, the surroundings are magnificent.
Another great walk is from Central Station to Wanggoolba Creek 1km ( .5 to 1 Hour )or for a little longer from Central Station to Basin Lake 5.6km ( 2-3 hours ).
Central Station Camping Area
Central Station is a beautiful spot to camp or come just for the day. Like all the camping areas on the island, you will need to have a camping permit.
Check out this video – Rusty and I do a full drive-through here…
The campground is well maintained with lush surroundings and lots of grassy areas.
The camping area is fenced so great if you have small children. The day-use area has picnic tables and lockable storage areas for your convenience.
Central Station has well-maintained facilities with extensive parking, picnic tables, toilets, gas BBQ and coin-operated hot showers.
If you are camping and want to use the hot showers please have plenty of $2 coins handy.
Central Station Image Gallery
