One of Australia's most famous World Heritage-listed islands has been turned into a tip by severe floods in south-east Queensland.

The beaches of K'gari (Fraser Island) have been littered with more than 30 tonnes of debris, including toothbrushes, bottles, plastic pots, shoes, bins and pontoons, but locals say rubbish has long been an issue.

K'gari Adventures chief executive Hana Robinson said the historic flooding had brought attention to the island's marine debris problem.

"We have had pretty extreme weather events all along the coast and a lot is then washing up on the island, which acts as a natural catchment," she said.

"The total now is up over 30 tonnes of rubbish and it is still coming in — we do not see it slowing down anytime soon.

"It just feels like with every tide, it brings more plastic treasures."

'Daunting task'

K'gari resident David Anderson says rubbish has been a problem for all 60 of his years on the island.

"It has been consistent, it's just sometimes the type of debris that floats ashore changes," he said.

Mr Anderson hoped visitors on the island would be mindful of what washed ashore during their stays.

"It is a very long beach, that's the difficult part about it," he said.

"Cleaning it up is a daunting task — it is just one that we hope people will realise is an ongoing thing.

"Hopefully, when people come to the island and are aware of how the rubbish deposits on the beach … they might bring a plastic bag with them and pick up some rubbish themselves."

'Volun-tourism space'

Despite being Queensland's catchment for marine debris, K'gari attracts millions of visitors each year.

Ms Robinson said the crowds could help with the clean-up effort.

"I think it is really important now that we be honest and transparent in the fact that our beaches are not as pristine as they once were, and that's OK," she said.

"I think there is an amazing opportunity to engage with a 'volun-tourism' space.

"People love to give back, especially when they are away … to do something that feels really good and meet other locals."

Ms Robinson has already incorporated "volun-tourism" into her business model.

"We are running regular clean-ups on the island that people can come get involved with," she said.

"We do ask for a donation towards the clean-ups that are half clean-up, half tourism and sight-seeing.

"That surplus cash goes into running those emergency clean-ups and covers the cost of volunteers that we ask to come up for free.