The K’gari World Heritage Area Discovery Centre at Kingfisher Bay Resort is now open! The Centre aims to provide a dynamic, non-commercial learning experience that engages adults and children visiting the island.
Members of the local community gathered at Kingfisher Bay Resort, to celebrate this joint initiative of the Sealink Fraser Island and the University of the Sunshine Coast and supported by the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation, and Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance.
The Centre was officially opened by Clr. George Seymour, Mayor Fraser Coast Council, on 1 March 2021.
The easy access to the new K’gari World Heritage Discovery Centre located at Kingfisher Bay Resort 
David Hay (Kingfisher Bay Resort-Sealink Travel), Clr George Seymour (Fraser Coast Council), DVC Joanne Scott (University of the Sunshine Coast) and Veronica Bird (Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC) 
Mike West (FIDO) and Marc Dargusch (QPWS) join Kingfisher Bay Resort’s General Manager, David Hay, at the launch of the K’gari World Heritage Discovery Centre 
Dr Kim Walker and Duncan Thompson (USC) with honoured guest Su (Tokiko) Dawson, partner of the late Dr John Sinclair AO, and Moyra McRae (QPWS) 
Dignitaries and invited guests enjoy the opening of the new K’gari World Heritage Discovery Centre 
Supporters and contributors to the K’gari World Heritage Discovery Centre 
The Centre touchingly acknowledges the legacy and contributions of Dr John Sinclair AO. The Sinclair family was represented by granddaughter, Laura Sinclair (a journalist with Nine News) 
Capturing some of K’gari’s world heritage values and visual beauty 
There are colourful displays about a range of K’gari’s animals and plants 
The Discovery Centre is free to all visitors to K’gari 
The displays also highlight how each of us can help protect K’gari for future generations 
The Centre is based on four key themes:
- Exceptional natural beauty (World Heritage List criterion vii)
- Significant ongoing geological processes (World Heritage List criterion viii)
- Significant ongoing biological processes (World Heritage List criterion ix)
- Conservation of this amazing place
The Centre now plays a central role in the development of comprehensive interpretive education for the island. In the future, it will link to, and direct, visitors to the planned K’gari Butchulla Cultural Centre at Central Station. Further interpretation is planned for Dilli Village.
Support and assistance was provided by the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, USC students, Peter Meyer and the Fraser Island World Heritage Unit. Many of the photos are from the John Sinclair Collection (held by USC’s K’gari-Fraser Island Research Archive), the Fraser Island World Heritage photo competition, Luke Barrowcliffe (on behalf of the BAC), Ian “Long Nose” Morris, Peter Meyer and Clare McKay (USC staff). USC students provided the artwork.
If you are visiting K’gari, don’t forget to pop in and check out the new Centre which is FREE to all visitors.
Contributed by Kim Walker, University of the Sunshine Coast
FINIA 