A dingo has been destroyed after lunging at an 11-year-old girl swimming in the popular tourist spot Eli Creek, on Fraser Island off south-east Queensland.

Her mother managed to scare it off and the child was not injured.

The incident was the latest in a string of near-attacks over Christmas.

How to be dingo safe on Fraser: always stay close (within arm's reach) of children and young teenagers

always stay close (within arm's reach) of children and young teenagers always walk in groups

always walk in groups camp in fenced areas where possible

camp in fenced areas where possible be aware that running or jogging can trigger an interaction with a dingo

be aware that running or jogging can trigger an interaction with a dingo never feed dingoes

never feed dingoes lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)

lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat) never store food or food containers in tents

never store food or food containers in tents secure all rubbish, fish and bait. Source: About Fraser Island dingoes - Qld Government

A spokesperson for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said the male dingo was destroyed humanely on New Year's Day after a series of aggressive incidents.

Rangers had been monitoring the Eli Creek area following reports of a dingo displaying aggressive behaviour.

That behaviour included an interaction with two teenage girls on December 27, where the dingo had to be chased off by a passer-by with a stick.

On January 1, the dingo threatened a woman who was rescued by a passer-by and a patrolling ranger.

Shortly afterwards, the same dingo stalked a group of people before lunging aggressively at the 11-year-old child at Eli Creek.

Ranger patrols have been ramped up and visitors are being urged to report any dingo encounters.

In October, camping areas were closed between Poyungan Rocks and Eli Creek for public safety after dingoes attacked two women while they were jogging near Yidney Rocks.

One woman was treated for leg injuries and taken to Hervey Bay Hospital.

Locals said in October the dingoes may have belonged to a pack that attacked a man at nearby Happy Valley in August.