FRASER ISLAND LAKES
[Fraser Island][Fraser Island Tours] [Fraser Island Accommmodation] [Fraser Island Map]
FRASER ISLAND LAKES
It
would be hard to imagine lakes clearer than those on Fraser Island.
The water is so pure that the 40 or so lakes support
relatively little
life.
There are three types of lakes on Fraser, window, barrage and
perched lakes Window lakes occur when the ground drops below
the water
table. The fine white sandy base acts as filters, giving the
water its clarity.
There are several window lakes including Yankee Jack, Ocean lake and Lake Wabby. Lake Wabby is also termed a barrage lake, which is formed by the damming action of a sandblow blocking the waters on a natural spring. Wobby is relatively close to the ocean side of the island and unlike the other lakes it supports several varieties of fish. It is also a good example of the sandblow phenomena, gradually encroaching on the deep green waters of Wobby as the sandblow makes its gradual progress westward across the island. Swimmers in the lake should not run and dive off the sandblow - the water is very shallow close to the edge of the lake.
Perched lakes occur above the water table. Saucer-shaped depressions with a hard, impervious base of organic matter and sand, form a catchment for the rain eventually creating the lake. The peat like base generally stains the water the colour of tea. In the northern half of the island, Lake Bowarrady is the highest of the perched lakes being some 120 metres above sea level. In the southern part of the island there is Lake Birrabeen and the popular Lake McKenzie. Lake Boomajin approximately 190 hectares in area is the world's largest perched dune lake.
Each of the lakes has its own particular character. Mysterious, moody and beautiful, they are excellent subjects for photography, great places to see birds, other fauna and flora and a welcome oasis for the hot Summer days. Scenic 4WD circuits and walking tracks in the southern half of the island take in some of the largest of the lakes including McKenzie, Birrabeen, Benaroon and Boomajin, There is a walking track to Lake Wabby from the beach.
[Whale Watching] [Fraser Island Tour] [Hervey Bay Queensland]
