Visiting the most northern-most beaches of Fraser Island-K'gari, it's hard to tell there was ever a bushfire, let alone one that tore through 87,000 hectares of the World Heritage Site.
Trees have shed their layers of blackened bark, sprouting new growth — much to the delight of campers.
"It's nice and green and rejuvenated, it's fantastic," visitor Nick Parry said.
The island has been a popular destination over the Easter school holidays, with most of the accommodation completely booked out.
A year like no other
The return of holiday-makers has been a welcome relief for the island's tourism businesses.
Last year, the island was repeatedly shut down during the coronavirus pandemic and the bushfire emergency, which began in mid-October and burned for two months, only drawing to a close when heavy rain fell over the island.
"It's 12 months like we've never seen before," general manager of Kingfisher Bay Resort David Hay said.
"Luckily only half the island burnt and lots of the good bits are still here, so it's fantastic to see that people are still happy to come to Fraser."
Community calls for transparency
While the recovery of the island is ongoing, the community is calling for transparency into the state's preparedness and response to the blaze.
An internal review by the Inspector General of Emergency Management Queensland was completed, with the full report provided to the State Government last month.
"The inquiry in the early part of this year, hopefully the results of which will be released soon, is something that we all need to learn from," Mr Hay said.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the government would release its response to the report "in due course".
Liberal National Party spokesman for fire and emergency services, Dale Last, said the report should be released to the public in its entirety and reveal any failings that may have occurred.
"Why was so much of that fire allowed to burn on that island for so long before we saw the emergency response ramp up?" he asked.
The bushfire is estimated to have cost tourism operators and accommodation providers more than $4 million.
Assessing the impact
Queensland Parks and Wildlife said it was conducting its own review into the bushfire, and the impact on native flora and fauna.
"Teams have come to the island to do some ground truthing [direct observation] and some mapping, and the report is being written and submitted at this stage," ranger in charge Linda Behrendorff said.
She said some of the island had fared better than anticipated and was regenerating quickly.
"Less than one per cent of the rainforest has been burnt so it's done its job, in that place," Ms Behrendorf said.
"We're seeing everything recover beautifully."
Magic returns along with tourists
Orchid Beach business owner David Baker said now was the perfect time for visitors to explore the island.
And while 50 per cent of the island had burnt, many breathtaking parts of the island had remained untouched.
"There was parts that came pretty close but it's still a magic destination to come and see," he said.
