World's first research station on Fraser Island
Sun 01 January 2006
Rebecca James, Communication
The Kingfisher Bay Research and Education Centre is the first of its kind, sitting in a unique ecosystem.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) owns the research centre.
The Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village has formed a partnership with the university to explore the island's fragile ecosystem.
The facility boasts research partnerships world-wide, from Kruger National Park in South Africa, to the Yellowstone National Park and the University of Wyoming in the United States of America.
The purpose of the centre is to aid advanced level environmental and eco-tourism research. It has room for 40 students and four full-time researchers.
The unique ecosystem of Fraser Island offers many opportunities for research. It has isolated species, giant rainforests and complex sand dune systems.
The centre is researching the ecological foot-print of Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, a world-first study of eco-tourism resorts. Rangers based at the resort also use the research centre for eco-tour guide training.
The Kingfisher Bay Research and Education Centre is run by the Institute of Sustainability, Health and Regional Engagement (ISHARE) based at USC.
Julie Waldran of ISHARE said the research station holds implications worldwide.
Studies at the centre include: population studies of flora and fauna, genetic studies of species, weed infestation, wildlife ecology, plant medicine, bush tucker and research into the effects of tourism.
Julie Waldran said researchers could carry out work at the Kingfisher Bay Research and Education Centre and then stay at Dilli Village.
Dilli Village is also run by ISHARE and provides accommodation for students and researchers wishing to be central to the environments they are investigating.
It provides a base and allows access to field study sites all over Fraser Island.
*Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and is situated on Australia’s east coast. It is 120km long and 22km across at its widest point. It has a complex system of perched freshwater lakes and an abundance of flora and fauna evolved into distinct species and ecosystems found nowhere else on earth. The island was World Heritage listed in 1992.
Image(s) designed by Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, Fraser Island.
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Submitted Comments
Nice article, thanks. I wonder about the link to Fraser Island ... is driving a four wheel drive car around the island the sustainable path to the future?
Dr David Low