The ultimate guide to experiencing K’gari’s new light show

First-of-its-kind installation Illumina is an immersive experience exclusive to Kingfisher Bay Resort guests from October 2024. Here’s our 48-hour guide to make the most of its magic as it showcases K’gari’s native environment in a way never seen before.

With sweeping sandscapes, lucid lakes and biodiversity as rich as its unspoiled terrain, K’gari (Fraser Island) is a place where raw beauty knows no bounds. This October, the World Heritage-listed island’s distinct wonder will take on a new dimension with the launch of Illumina, the first permanent light, laser and projection installation of its kind in Queensland.

Crafted by international light artist Bruce Ramus and his team (renowned for creating the Wintjiri Wiru installation at Uluru), Illumina transforms K’gari’s regeneration, growth and intricate ecosystem into a vibrant spectacle of colours and intricate patterns cast across the sky.

Like the unique and multifaceted island that inspired it, the show can be experienced in a number of ways. Here’s our guide to immersing in all that Illumina and K’gari have to offer in 48 hours during a Gold Package stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Bask in the ethereal glow of the K’gari’s new light show.

DAY ONE

12pm: Your adventure begins with a scenic ferry ride to K’gari from the Kingfisher Bay Resort’s mainland reception in River Heads, about a three-hour drive from Brisbane (you can also arrive via a direct flight from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney).

There are four ferry services that run to the resort each day, and it’s best to book your trip with the reservations team. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes, and you can consider the breathtaking views en route a taste of what’s to come.

2pm: Check in and breathe out as you settle into your premium accommodation at Kingfisher Bay Resort. The four-star ecotourism sanctuary is tucked into K’gari’s wallum wetlands, providing the perfect base for full island immersion.

Check-in and unwind in your premium accommodation at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

3pm: Choose which of the many activities you’d like to explore at leisure. Taste traditional bush tucker, try birdwatching or paddle out for a canoe tour. Want to wander? Take a guided (or self-guided) walk along the resort’s nature trails to get familiar with the flora and fauna that make K’gari famous and inspire the Illumina experience.

If you’re in the mood for something more active, hit the sand for a spot of beach cricket or play tennis on the resort’s private court. And if you’re craving the complete opposite, Kingfisher Bay Resort has an onsite day spa, pool and jacuzzi. Thanks to K’gari’s subtropical climate, you can enjoy the latter year-round.

Explore the resort’s nature trails on a guided or self-guided walk.

6pm: Start your multisensory evening with a two-course meal prepared by the resort’s resident culinary experts. The bush tucker-infused menu features locally sourced ingredients and a fusion of native flavours; savour dishes like lemon myrtle and panko crumb calamari served with pepperberry aioli, ginger-infused barramundi with sweet potato pavé, charred asparagus and lemon myrtle beurre blanc, and wattleseed panna cotta. Salivating yet?

7.30pm: Head to the amphitheatre (built sustainably within the resort’s ecotourism guidelines) to immerse yourself in Illumina’s ‘Return to Sky’ show, exclusive to Kingfisher Bay Resort guests.

Using K’gari’s natural environment as a canvas, ‘Return to Sky’ envelopes viewers in a mesmerising symphony of light and colour to not only entertain but also foster a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, the island’s fragile ecosystem.

Choose one of four packages to experience Illumina.

Like K’gari’s ever-changing nature – from its shifting sands to its shimmering freshwater lakes and dancing rainforest light – the beauty of Illumina is unique to each beholder. This is where its true magic lies.

Suitable for all ages, the Illumina experience is designed to be both awe-inspiring and educational, highlighting the island’s natural beauty and promoting environmental conservation. And it’s one you won’t forget.

A series of four packages, inclusive of accommodation, meals and activities, allow access to Illumina. You can also purchase individual tickets at the resort.

Prepare to be inspired and educated.

DAY TWO

8am: Fuel up for a day of adventure with a poolside buffet breakfast in the morning sun.

9am (full day): Experience the best of K’gari in one of the best possible ways via 4WD on the Beauty Spots Tour. Visit the topaz-blue Lake McKenzie, renowned for its pure silica sand and fresh, bottle-worthy water, before taking 75 Mile Beach’s famous highway to the historic Maheno shipwreck.

Take a dip in the topaz-blue waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ethan Cole )

Later, summit towering, multi-coloured sand dunes to soak up panoramic views of K’gari’s rugged coastline, and experience true tranquillity amongst towering trees in Pile Valley’s ancient rainforests.

5pm: Return to your King hotel room to relax before dinner.

6pm: Bask in golden hour from the resort’s Sunset Bar as you enjoy a drink and cheese platter, or find a spot on the sand for a refreshing island cocktail.

7pm: Take your pick from Kingfisher Bay Resort’s three restaurants for a dinner of your choosing.

Relax in your King Resort Room.

DAY THREE

8am: Enjoy a buffet breakfast by the pool.

9am: Use your final morning to soak up any part of K’gari you may have missed – or simply relax in the jacuzzi. Every K’gari experience is unique, after all.

10am: Check out before taking the ferry back to Hervey Bay – with a renewed sense of wonder.

Find out more about Illumina and its packages.