USC281_0003

Tranquil Ocean Lake, north of Orchid Beach.

A large satinay log, from Fraser Island.

ABOUT THE FRASER ISLAND DEFENCE ORGANIZATION

F.I.D.O is the watchdog of Fraser Island. Its two hundred members are con-
cerned with the wisest use of the natural resources of Fraser Island.

This booklet has been published by F.I.D.O to portray Fraser Island as it is in
1971, and with particular reference to its tourist attractions, its timber industry and
its scientific interest.

F.I.D.O is not opposed to sandmining but F.I.D.O has opposed the granting of
further sandmining leases UNTIL a comprehensive survey has been carried out to
determine the best possible uses, in the long term, of all of Fraser Island's natural
resources.

F.I.D.O would like as many people as possilbe to individually see and understand
the unique qualities of Fraser Island, so that they will have a greater appreciation of
the need for a comprehensive survey - to make provision for the best land use taking
into account the competing demands of forestry, tourism, national parks and sand-mining.

Further copies of this booklet may be obtained at 50 cents
each from:- F.I.D.O P.O. Box 67 PIALBA 4655.

Freshwater lakes at the northern end of Fraser Island.

WHERE IS FRASER ISLAND?

Approximately one hundred miles due north of Brisbane, Fraser Island is separ-
ated from the mainland by the relatively shallow Sandy Straits, which vary in width
from three to five miles. Fraser Island forms the eastern side of Hervey Bay, shelter-
ing the bay and the false delta of the Mary River from the prevailing strong south
easterly trade winds and providing safe small boating under ideal conditions.

Fraser Island is the largest Island off the East Australian coast. It is 617 square
miles in area and with the exception of Indian Head and Waddy Point is composed
entirely of sand, with some hills reaching almost to 800 feet in height. Apart from
being the largest sand island in the world it has Australia's most northern open ocean
surfing beaches. All beaches further north are sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef.

Fraser Island is seventy-seven miles from Sandy Cape, its most northern feature,
to Hooh Point in the south. Although it has a maximum width of fourteen miles its
average width is less than seven miles. The open beach runs almost ninety miles
along the east coast. In the lee of the island fronting Hervey Bay sheltered beaches
run from over forty miles north from Moon Point. South of Moon Point the tidal
wetlands provide a rich nursery for the healthy fishing industry of Hervey Bay, as
well as loading points for the abundant timber harvest.

The prevailing south easterly trade winds maintain an average velocity of from
ten to twelve knots and have moulded the shifting sands into ridges and valleys ex-tending
southeast to northwest.

Despite the island's increasing popularity the permanent residents of Fraser
Island number less than one hundres. Most permanent residents are based at the
lighthouses, the timber camps and two Forestry stations, the townships of Eurong
and Happy Valley and Orchid Beach tourist resort.