Living On Fraser Island

Showing travellers around her place of home is a weekly occurrence for Hana White, because her home is Queensland’s Fraser Island. Here, she talks us through what life is really like on an island.

Well let me tell you, it’s very different from life as we know it on the mainland; which is what us islanders call Australia. Most of us dream of living a simple life with simple pleasures, and what could be better than the gorgeous Aussie sunshine, stunning crystal clear turquoise ocean and an abundance of sand? In my mind, nothing could beat living life on the largest sand island in the world; the famous Fraser Island.

To those of us who have come to know the island well, we call her K’gari. To the original inhabitants of the island – the Butchella people – this translates to paradise, and they couldn’t have been more spot on. The pristine beauty of this World Heritage National Park is most certainly a visual paradise, but behind the scenes what is island life really like?

I wouldn’t have ever said I was destined for island life nor did I ever really know what it was all about. I just knew the idea of it very much appealed to me. I loved city life. The fast paced, flamboyant and impulsive nature of living in a concrete jungle with a rich tapestry of culture inspired me, but the idea of living on a magically beautiful island appealed to me so much that when I got the chance in 2010 to live and work on Fraser Island I jumped at it.

And wow, was I in for a shock. Often the idea of something is far from the reality and living on Fraser Island has certainly demonstrated this. With no running water, no mains electricity and no phone lines, island life is most certainly not a walk in the park. I like to think it’s as close as you could get to living in the “olden days”. You have to plan for everything and more importantly you have to plan for everything to go wrong and have a “just in case” plan all the time.

On a daily basis, I have to think about collecting water, rationing food supplies, managing solar power and maintaining equipment so it will stand up against the many elements that beach living throws at us. You are literally surviving but with the safety of knowing you can pop to the mainland should you need your normal society fix.

They always say that it’s the little things you miss and the small things you take for granted, and after living on Fraser Island for four years I know this all too well. When I do go to the mainland I can’t tell you how much I appreciate just being able to turn on a tap without having to have pumped the water moments earlier, charging things at night knowing the power won’t run out, pigging out knowing I can just pop to the shop and get more food at anytime. Seriously, these things are luxury to me these days.

Fortunately, or unfortunately however you look at it… I come from a family of mad hatters and it’s this that has helped me adapt to island life and continue to love it. There is never a dull day around here and some would say it’s full of drama, but I like to look at it as an adventure.

Fraser Island is famous for its epic 4WD off-roading, stunning crystal clear lakes, towering rainforest uniquely growing on sand and, of course, the notorious dingoes. Many travellers from all over the world come to see and experience this captivating island, and while most never want to leave, few are courageous enough to stay.

Fraser Island is a place where people come to escape the everyday craziness of life, a place where you won’t get any phone reception (unless you’re with Telstra and even then you only get signal in a few places). It’s an island that holds its World Heritage listing because it is so untouched and modern day living cannot exist.

If it’s five-star luxury you’re after, this place may not be for you. If its an amazing nature experience, chilling with gorgeous friendly people and a truly eco friendly experience, then you need to get yourself to Fraser Island, because you will love it – just be prepared to turn off your phone, get back to basics, get sandy, and immerse yourself in life’s simple pleasures.

Feeling inspired by Hana’s story? You should go and say hello to her and experience a Dropbear Adventure for yourself!