Eli Creek, Fraser Island: Tubing Australia’s natural lazy river
Eli Creek is the most fun Fraser Island attraction because you can float along it in an inner tube, like a lazy river in a water park. Start tubing at the end of the Eli Creek boardwalk.
Fraser Island in Queensland has some magnificent places to swim. The inland lakes – most notably Lake McKenzie – have astonishingly pure water. This is a result of being perched on sand – Fraser Island/ K’gari is the world’s largest sand island.
But while these Fraser Island lakes are beautiful places to swim, they’re not as much fun as Eli Creek. Especially when the Fraser Island weather gets really hot in summer.
Pick the best K’gari/ Fraser Island tour for you
- HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE: One day coach tour from Hervey Bay.
- FROM THE SOUTH: One day 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach.
- PACK MORE IN: Two day tour, staying at K’gari Beach Resort.
- BEACHY: Boat cruise with west coast beach stops.
- BACKPACKERS: Three day, drive-yourself camping adventure from Hervey Bay. Or similar from Rainbow Beach.
- MORE LUXURIOUS: Three day adventure, staying at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Eli Creek is the largest creek on 75 Mile Beach, which runs up the east coast of Fraser Island. Drivers using the beach as a highway have to be careful when crossing – Eli Creek often carves out deep channels. Attempt to cross one of the more dangerous troughs, and you can end up with a nasty crunch. Queensland Parks and Forests has more information on safely crossing Eli Creek.
Eli Creek boardwalk
Most visitors will end up parking by Eli Creek for a while, however. Here, a short boardwalk head inland along the creek, fringed by paperbarks, ferns and pandanus leaves. There’s some educational signposting along the creek, explaining why Eli Creek exists, and the plant and animal life that live there.
But if you just go for the Eli Creek boardwalk, you’re missing the point. 80 million litres of fresh water pour out into the ocean from the creek every day, and you can go along for the ride. This is the perfect excuse to strip off to your swimwear and float along on the current.
Go up to the end of the boardwalk, get in the water, and float down. Tubing Eli Creek is like a lazy river ride in a water park, but entirely powered by nature.
Tubing on Eli Creek, Fraser Island: Australia’s natural lazy river
Eli Creek is an understandably popular stop on 75 Mile Beach with backpackers. Many of the Fraser Island 4WD tours bring inflatables or inner tubes, which are then used for floating along Eli Creek.
The creek is around 26km north of the Eurong township on the east coast of Fraser Island. You’ll find it along 75 Mile Beach, shortly before you reach the Maheno shipwreck.
More great places to swim in Australia
Murrays Beach in the Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay.
The Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Killen Falls near Ballina.
Gardners Falls near Maleny on the Sunshine Coast.
Streets Beach on Southbank, Brisbane.