Patrols increased as dingo attacks man at tourist spot

Savannah Meacham |

Rangers on K’gari are warning visitors to be vigilant after another dingo attack on the island.
Rangers on K’gari are warning visitors to be vigilant after another dingo attack on the island.

A man has been bitten on the leg in the latest dingo attack at a popular Queensland tourist destination.

Rangers have increased patrols and warned visitors to be vigilant after Sunday’s attack, which marked the 21st dingo incident at K’gari, formerly Fraser Island, in 2024.

The man was walking from his car to a picnic area at Lake McKenzie when a tagged female dingo suddenly ran at him from behind, rangers say.

A warning sign on the island (file image)
There have been 21 incidents involving dingoes on K’gari in 2024. (Simon Renilson/AAP PHOTOS)

The wild dog bit the man on the right calf, causing a minor puncture wound.

The dingo retreated when he turned around and kicked sand at it.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers were patrolling nearby and responded quickly.

“Rangers observed the dingo continuing to walk around the car park and loiter close to vehicles and people for about an hour before it returned to the bush,” senior ranger Linda Behrendorff said.

Some of the dingo attacks at K’gari have involved children.

A four-year-old girl was flown to hospital after she was bitten on the chest while a group was fishing on the island, north of Brisbane, in August.

A dingo on a beach on K'gari (file image)
Rangers warn visitors should never walk alone on K’gari and always carry a stick. (Simon Renilson/AAP PHOTOS)

Ms Behrendorff said visitors should only use fenced picnic areas when eating or preparing food and should not take food or drinks to the lake’s shores.

Any food scraps or rubbish should be packed back into the car, she warned.

“Visitors and residents are also reminded to remain vigilant of their surroundings at all times, keep children within arm’s length, never walk alone and carry a stick at all times,” Ms Behrendorff said.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour has previously called on the Queensland government to consider restricting families to camp inside fenced areas on K’gari following a rise in incidents.

Mr Seymour did not believe it was appropriate for children younger than 12 to be camping outside fenced areas.

The government already recommends families with children younger than 14 should camp in fenced areas, with more than 10 available across the World Heritage-listed island.

AAP