A woman has been bitten by a dingo at one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations.
Five dingoes approached the woman at Winnam camping area on the island of K’gari, off the southeast coast of Queensland, at 10.30am last Thursday.
One dingo lunged at her and bit her on the hands, leaving her with gashes on her fingers.
She was walking from the camping area to the beach as the attack happened according to the Queensland Government Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DESI).
Paramedics treated her on K’gari and told her to see a doctor.
‘It is believed the pack of dingoes were hanging around the camping area after getting access to a large amount of unsecured food from a different campsite earlier this week,’ DESI said.
‘Residents and visitors to the island must be aware of the risks and should always walk in groups, carry a stick and keep food and rubbish secured.’
Rangers visited campers in the area to give them some ‘dingo-safe advice’, as extra patrols were organised.
At least 21 incidents involving dingoes were reported on K’gari in 2024
Tourists are warned of the dangers posed by dingoes at K’gari
Rangers told tourists on K’gari to stay within arm’s reach of children and young teenagers, to walk in groups and even carry a stick for protection.
Feeding dingoes has long been an issue at K’gari and campers are told to camp fenced areas, avoiding jogging or running, and lock up their food and rubbish outside their tents.
In January, a dingo bit a two-year-old child on the leg at K’gari.
The attack was the second incident of the Australia Day long weekend after a dingo bit a woman at Lake McKenzie.
The attacks followed another incidents at a beach near Kingfisher Bay, K’gari, on January 18, when a three-year-old girl was bitten on the back of the leg by a tagged dingo.
At least 21 incidents involving dingoes were reported on the island in 2024.
