Experience the Magic and History of K’gari Through a New Light Show

Get ready to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) with Return to the Sky, an all-new interpretive light show at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Be swept away by a mesmerising story that reveals the celestial origins and powerful oceanic forces that gave birth to an island.

Launching on the 30th of September 2024, a groundbreaking installation Return to the Sky, part of the ‘Illumina’ artistic platform, will be Queensland’s first permanent light, laser, and projection display of its kind, combining light and sound to tell the story of how K’gari was formed in the stars and shaped by the ocean tides.

A Visionary Approach

Bruce Ramus, a Melbourne-based international light artist, is the visionary behind the project and poses the question, ‘What would the island say if it could talk?’. He believes K’gari would communicate through light. ‘Whether it be the sunrise, a fire, or human-created light, it all tells a story,’ Ramus explains.

Bruce is the Founder and Creative Director of Ramus Illumination and has been a pioneer in light art and media architecture since the 1970s.

His team has an impressive portfolio, including the Wintjiri Wiru light show at Uluru, which narrates the ancestral Mala story through choreographed drones, lasers, and projections. They’ve also created spectacular light shows for renowned musicians like David Bowie and U2 and Super Bowl Halftime shows.

An Island Connection

Ramus’ journey with K’gari began in the 1980s during a 4WD backpacking tour. At the end of the week-long tour, he wasn’t ready to leave, feeling the island gave him space ‘to just be’, so he waved goodbye to the tour group and camped alone on the beach, extending his stay for another week. 35 years later, he shares, ‘it is a beautiful gift to return’.

Ramus’ 4WD journey in the 80s was his first introduction to K’gari’s paradise

Inspired by Nature

To develop the creative vision for the project, Ramus immersed himself in some of the island’s more remote areas. This process allowed him to truly connect with the environment, inspiring a light show that tells a story of discovery, regeneration, and growth. ‘

His time spent exploring K’gari’s untouched landscapes was instrumental in shaping the narrative of “Return to the Sky”, ensuring it authentically reflects the island’s natural beauty and cultural significance.

A Unique Experience

Return to the Sky will combine both light and sound, set against the natural backdrop of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s wallum wetland in an open-air amphitheatre designed with sustainability in mind, perfectly aligning with the resort’s long standing environmental commitment.

The resort will host two nightly shows, each running for 20 minutes, suitable for all ages, allowing everyone to engage and interpret the experience in their own unique way, regardless of age.

Mock up of the open air ampitheatre

Ramus shares that guests are invited to ‘take a journey that is both quiet and intimate, yet expansive and mind-blowing,’ promising an experience that fosters a profound connection with K’gari, deepens appreciation for its fragile ecosystem, and illuminates its natural beauty.

Visitors can expect a mesmerising display that intertwines the island’s history, its natural wonders, and the stars and tides that guided its formation over millennia.

Some of the natural beauty you can enjoy after you see Return to the Sky!

This experience is exclusively available to guests staying at Kingfisher Bay Resort. Bookings are now open for accommodation packages that include Return to the Sky.

For more information visit the Kingfisher Bay Resort website.

Images courtesy of Kingfisher Bay Resort