Kingfisher Bay Resort is a great option for families looking for easy, comfortable accommodation in K’gari (Fraser Island). We check in to check it out.
I’ve stayed at Kingfisher Bay Resort three times now and I’ve loved seeing all the improvements over the years.
The rooms have been upgraded, the restaurants improved and I particularly love the most recent introduction of the impressive light show, Illumina.
What hasn’t changed, though is the beautiful natural surroundings and eco-friendly ethos that sets Kingfisher Bay resort apart.
Set within beautiful natural bushland on World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island), Kingfisher Bay Resort offers its guests a comfortable nature-based tourism experience.
This eco-tourism resort attracts more than 145,000 guests every year, drawn in by the natural bush surroundings and incredible attractions of K’gari.
Designed to integrate with and have minimal impact on its natural environment, the resort buildings are built below the tree line and are limited to two storeys. The stilted foundations allow the island wildlife to go about their daily business uninterrupted.
But that’s not to say that you will camping out in the bush at night. Far from it! Kingfisher Bay Resort offers all mod-cons across a range of accommodation options.
There’s also facilities galore, including a wide range of restaurants, swimming pools and even a spa!
What I mostly love is the feeling of being immersed in nature, in particular the orchestra of wildlife that bursts forth from the lagoon at night.
Without a doubt, Kingfisher Bay Resort is the best choice for accommodation on K’gari, whether you are visiting overnight or longer. (I recommend a couple of nights). Read on to read our full Kingfisher Bay review.
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Rooms at Kingfisher Bay Resort
There is a wide range of accommodation on offer at Kingfisher Bay, including hotel rooms, villas, houses and lodges to suit all group sizes and budgets.
I’ve stayed in a few different room types. All rooms are spacious and modern, with a private deck, TV and air-conditioning. Each room also proudly displays a Peter Meyer photograph, depicting scenes from around the island .
Most suited for families is the Family Resort Room, which comprises two adjoining hotel rooms.
This is perfect for a family of four, and with each room comfortably sleeping three people (they have two queen beds and two singles), this would be good for larger families too.
I also recommend asking for hotel rooms in the Wallum-Lagoon wing, which is very handy for getting to reception, the pool and the restaurants.
Other good options for families, particularly for longer stays are the villas. These are available with 1 to 3-bedrooms and come with fully fitted kitchens, laundry facilities and plenty of space with separate lounge and dining areas. Some also have spas on their private decks.
The loft villas allow for even more personal space, but are only recommended for children aged 6 and up, due to the steep loft staircase.
For large groups, there are beach houses that sleep up to 15 people and for something a bit more fancy, you can opt for an Executive Villa, which sleep up to 6, and was the accommodation of choice for Harry and Meghan during their visit.
Click here to check prices and availability for Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Food & Drink
There is a good choice of bars and restaurants at Kingfisher Bay.
The main restaurant is Sand & Wood, where you can enjoy a buffet breakfast and barista coffee every morning and a casual menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads and steaks for lunch and dinner.
You’ll find a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor decking overlooking the swimming pool for that holiday feel.
Another option is Dune restaurant, offering Asian-fusion cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.
You’ll find everything from Southeast Asian favourites such as Char Kway Teow and Mie Goreng to Chinese staples such as Kung Pao Chicken and Pork Siew Mai on the menu here. I can highly recommend the Soft Shell Crab Bao Buns!
If you’re keen for a pre- or post-dinner drink, the Rainforest Bar has a cool, laidback vibe and serves up a range of cocktails, wines, beers and spirits.
A short walk down towards the ferry pier brings you to the Sand Bar & Bistro, a fun and casual restaurant tucked away in the bush. The menu has a range of Aussie bar favourites, such as pizzas, burgers and chicken parmigiana.
There’s also a swimming pool here to keep the kids entertained.
An experience not to be missed is sundown cocktails at the Sunset Bar. It’s the perfect spot down on the beach to watch the sun sink into the ocean every evening.
Click here to check prices and availability for Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Things to do at Kingfisher Bay Resort
There is always something going on at Kingfisher Bay, with a very comprehensive schedule of activities, so you need never be bored here!
The rangers are kept busy with hosting guided walks (including bush tucker walks and night-time wildlife walks), segway tours, archery, canoe paddles and giving presentations on the local wildlife.
If you are visiting K’gari during school holidays, the resort offers a really fun Junior Eco Rangers programme, both during the day and at night.
Aimed at kids aged 5 -12, the program revolves around eco and wildlife activities, with such fun adventures as campfires, night walk adventures, games and movies.
Our kids loved exploring the island by night with torches and spotting all kinds of nocturnal animals.
There are also several walking tracks around the resort for you to take a little self-guided nature walk. The entire resort (except the beach) is set within a dingo fence, so you don’t need to worry about meeting a wild dingo on your walk.
If you prefer some ocean fun, then you can hire kayaks, stand up paddleboards and fishing rods at the Sunset Bar.
If you just want to hang out and relax, then there is a choice of swimming pools, including two at the main reception area, just near the Sand & Wood restaurant, and one at the Sand Bar & Bistro.
I highly recommend arranging your schedule to include Illumina Light Show. This magical nighttime experience, designed by renowned light artist Bruce Ramus, takes you on a journey through the seasons and stories of K’gari.
Unfortunately, despite having stayed at the resort three times now, I have yet to make it to the Island Day Spa. Here, they offer up a range of relaxing treatments using all-natural Australian products. Maybe next time!
Click here to check prices and availability for the Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Thing to do on K’gari
A full-day guided 4WD Beauty Spots tour sets off every morning from Kingfisher Bay Resort to discover the highlights of K’gari, including visits to Lake McKenzie, the Maheno shipwreck and 75 Mile Beach.
If you don’t have your own 4WD to explore the island, then I can definitely recommend joining one of these tours to see the best of the best of K’gari. You can also hire 4WD vehicles here if you prefer to explore on your own.
Another highlight of visiting the Fraser Coast is joining a Hervey Bay Whale Watching tour. Hervey Bay is renowned for being one of the best places in the world to go whale watching.
Boats leave directly from Kingfisher Bay Resort throughout whale watching season (July to November).
This is definitely a highlight of visiting the area, so don’t miss out if you are here during whale watching season. You can read more about options for whale watching tours in Hervey Bay here.
Click here to check prices and availability for Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Getting to Kingfisher Bay Resort
To get to Kingfisher Bay Resort, take the ferry to Fraser Island from River Heads, located just 20-minutes south of Hervey Bay.
The barge to Kingfisher Bay Resort takes around 50 minutes. You can check into the resort at their mainland check-in at River Heads and your luggage will be taken care of from there.
You can take your car onto the barge, or choose to leave it in the secure lock-up at River Heads. It is only recommended to take your own car if you have a sturdy 4WD vehicle.
Click here to check prices and availability for Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Disclaimer: Mum on the Move were guests of Kingfisher Bay Resort. All opinions, as always are honest, and our own.
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