A sleeping tourist has been bitten on the forehead by a centipede on Fraser Island.

The 41-year-old has been airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital for treatment for the extremely painful bite, the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter says.

. Credit:Miranda Gardner

The man was bitten as he slept at the island's central station on Sunday.

The island's paramedic treated the man before the helicopter arrived, taking the man to hospital. He is in a stable condition.

Centipedes are found throughout Australia and bites may be painful, especially those inflicted by the larger northern species.

In very rare cases centipedes can kill but no fatalities have been recorded in Australia, the Australian Venom Research Unit says.

AAP