ATTRACTION GREAT SANDY STRAIT

Maaroom is a small, friendly peaceful fishing village on the waterfront of the Great Sandy Strait looking over to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Situated just 20 kilometres south of Maryborough, (off the Cooloola Coast Highway), and 50 kilometres from Hervey Bay. At the water's edge there is a pleasant spot to have a picnic, watch the children play on the playground, fish from the boat ramp or simply watch the procession of boats come and go. This is truly one of nature's treasurers away from the hustle and bustle of town living. There are caravan parks and camping spots as well if you feel like spending a few nights.

In 2009, the Great Sandy region was awarded Biosphere Reserve status by UNESCO, the global organisation that also awards World Heritage Listings. The decision gives world-wide recognition to the Fraser Coast region, neighbouring Gympie area and the Bundaberg coastline and puts it in the same class as the Galapagos Islands, the Central Amazon, the Everglades and Uluru. The concept of the UNESCO's Man and Biospheres program is to protect natural resources while using them at the same time - or balancing conservation and sustainable development. What makes the Great Sandy Biosphere so special? Major breeding site for endangered marine turtles, oldest and largest unconsolidated sand mass in the world, 7558 recorded species of fauna & flora, declared Dugong sanctuary, RAMSAR wetlands - internationally declared feeding ground for migratory birds, critical habitat for rare and endangered species, best observable ancient dune chronological sequencing, world's largest and highest perched dune lakes, whale sanctuary and major transitory point for humpback whales on their annual southern migration.