Brisbane, Australia: Kingfisher Bay Resort is set to light up the skies of K'gari on Queensland's Fraser Coast, announcing Illumina, an all-new interpretive light show.

Set amidst the natural beauty of the Wallum wetlands within the grounds of Kingfisher Bay Resort, the innovative installation aims to enhance visitor experience and provide a unique nighttime attraction, exclusive to resort guests.

Located off the east coast of Australia approximately 250 kilometres north of Brisbane, K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) is the world's largest sand island with rainforests, lakes, beaches and wildlife. It is home to a significant number of dingoes, Australia's wild dog. K'gari was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 in recognition of the island's internationally significant natural features.

Kingfisher Bay Resort is a fully integrated, 4-star, large-scale ecotourism resort that opened in the same year as the island's World Heritage listing. It has set benchmarks in ecotourism that have been used by similar ventures overseas.

The new artistic platform, Illumina, will showcase the island with the 'Return to Sky' exhibition, an extraordinary journey of discovery, regeneration and growth, told in one illuminating 20-minute light show.

To bring the product to life, Kingfisher Bay Resort has engaged Melbourne-based international light artist Bruce Ramus and his team from Ramus Illumination, renowned for creating symphonies of light and colour at various destinations around the world, including Wintjiri Wiru at Uluru, an Australian tourism first.

The inspiration behind 'Return to Sky' comes from the light and colours within the natural environment and the constantly shifting sands of K'gari's vibrant ecosystem.

With the installation set to launch in September 2024, Kingfisher Bay Resort promises to elevate the status of the Fraser Coast to more than a premier tourist destination.

Kane Bassett, Group General Manager of Kingfisher Bay Resort said the 'Return to Sky' narrative would connect guests with the movement, texture and colours of K'gari. "We are thrilled to offer visitors an enchanting nighttime spectacle unlike any other product seen on K'gari, with innovation that's the first of its kind in Queensland," he said.

A range of accommodated Illumina experiences are available for pre-booking now, in preparation for the show's official opening later this year. Visitors can opt for the Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze packages, staying at Kingfisher Bay Resort, with ferry transfers and food and beverage inclusions.

The Platinum and Gold packages offer the complete island experience, with premium resort accommodation options and 4WD touring also included.

Watch the light show unfold: Illumina (illuminakgari.com.au) 

On 7 June 2023, Fraser Island was officially renamed K'gari by the Queensland Government, recognising the traditional ownership of the island and surrounding lands by the Butchulla people, who have inhabited the area for as many as 50,000 years.

K'gari is the largest sand island in the world, stretching 122 kilometres along the eastern coast of Australia. The immense sand dunes on K'gari are part of the longest and most complete age sequence of coastal dune systems in the world. These dunes continue to evolve, shaped by processes like longshore drift.

The island boasts over 250 kilometres of clear sandy beaches, uninterrupted ocean vistas, and strikingly coloured sand cliffs. Inland are remnants of tall rainforest growing on sandy dunes — a phenomenon believed to be unique worldwide.

K'gari is home to half of the world's perched freshwater dune lakes. These lakes, formed on top of the sand dunes, contribute to the island's spectacular and varied landscape.

Beneath the island lies the world's largest unconfined aquifer on a sand island. This unique hydrological feature adds to K'gari's exceptional natural value.

Title picture courtesy of Kingfisher Bay Resort, K'gari

Useful links

​Kingfisher Bay Resort | K'gari Fraser Island Accommodation

Here's Why Heritage-Listed K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) Is Special | Queensland