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You are here: Home / Island Attractions / The Fraser Island Pinnacles – The Amazing Coloured Sands of (K’gari) Fraser Island

The Fraser Island Pinnacles – The Amazing Coloured Sands of (K’gari) Fraser Island

June 28, 2021 by Ursula Boston

The Pinnacles are sign posted along the beach

The Pinnacles are sign posted along the beach

You may be thinking what is so special about looking at sand. Let me say that when you see this natural, beautiful phenomenon you will be in awe. It’s well worth the drive along 75 Mile Beach to reach this spot and take a look, or at least a photo.

Not only is the Pinnacle impressive in size but it’s also fascinating to think that the sand colours and layers have taken hundreds of thousands of years to accumulate and change.

Where Are The Pinnacles On Fraser Island?

Where on Fraser Island are The Pinnacles or the Coloured Sands located?

Where on Fraser Island are The Pinnacles or the Coloured Sands located?

The pinnacles are on the eastern side of Fraser Island along 75 Mile Beach. They are approx. 3km north of the Maheno Shipwreck or 20km south of Indian Head.

It a great spot to get out of the car and stretch your legs and see some amazingly impressive dunes as you head on to your next destination.

As you drive along the beach and look towards the tree lined dunes you will see the brightly coloured pinnacles standing tall and mighty in all their glory.

Satellite map of The Coloured sands on Fraser Island

Satellite map of The Coloured sands on Fraser Island

You can park your car at the bottom and walk the 50 meters into the centre on the boarded track. The area is fenced at the end to protect the sand formations from people trying to climb them.

How Was The Coloured Sands Made?

The Pinnacles on Fraser island - Also known as the coloured sands

The Pinnacles on Fraser island – Also known as the coloured sands

Fraser Island is predominantly a sand Island. In fact it is the largest sand island in the world, being 120kilometers long.

The pinnacles are made up of 72 different colours of red, brown and yellow variants. The colours are from the iron compounds that have stained the grains of the silica sand.

This natural phenomenon is what causes the rainbow bands of colour. The white sand all around the pinnacles and on the beach has been leached of all natural nutrients and this is what makes the sand so white.

Welcome to the Pinnacles - Seven Hundred Thousand years in the making

Welcome to the Pinnacles – Seven Hundred Thousand years in the making

Add to this the wind and the rain that exposes and re-sculpts the dunes for us all to admire at just how amazing nature is. We are lucky to be able to view this from such a spectacular location and so easily accessible.

Can You Go On a Tour To See The Coloured Sands?

Yes you certainly can take a tour to see the Pinnacles, among other fantastic sightseeing spots on Fraser Island. If you don’t have access to a 4WD a day tour may be the way to go.

You can either see it by hopping on a tour bus from Rainbow Beach or if your budget allows you can get on a scenic charter flight.

The bus tours range from a simple day tour as a passenger through to an adventurous 3 night complete camping tour of the island. The choice is yours dependant on your time restraints and budget.

Hoping on a scenic Ariel tour of the island is also a beautiful and unique way too see the island. Most of the small aircraft land on the beach around the major tourist hotspots including the coloured sands.

Or you can hop on a scenic helicopter and get an aerial view as you pass over the dunes, the coloured sands and perched lakes across the island.

See the coloured sand of Fraser island up close

See the coloured sand of Fraser island up close

What Else Should I Expect

Aside from the view of the Pinnacles, there is nothing else at the site. There are no toilet facilities or picnic areas, just surrounding bushland and sand. However its very easily accessed from the beach.

No big walk or drive in on a sandy bush track. It is literally on the beach dunes and can even be seen as you drive past in the car.

Take a photograph and add it to the collection of amazing wonders that you have seen.

Get up close and personal with the pinnacles and the amazing coloured sands

Get up close and personal with the pinnacles and the amazing coloured sands

If you want to learn more about visiting Fraser Island, Join our email list for regular updates about what we have for you on the Island.
 

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More (K’gari) Island Attractions

  • Lake Mckenzie Fraser Island
  • Platypus Bay Fraser Island
  • Champaign Pools Fraser Island
  • Eli Creek Fraser Island
  • Central Station Rainforest
  • The Pinnacles – Coloured Sands
  • The Maheno Wreck Fraser Island
  • Indian Head Fraser Island
  • The Sandy Cape Lighthouse

Find the complete list of Fraser Island Attractions here.

Filed Under: Island Attractions

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