The family of a Canadian backpacker who was found dead on a Queensland island have walked the beaches where their daughter spent her last day.

Piper James, 19, was found dead surrounded by dingoes near the surf at the SS Maheno Wreck on K’gari, about 6am on January 19.

It is understood James, who was working on the island, left for a swim at 5am, with passers-by discovering her body about an hour later.

Initial autopsy results reveled the teenager likely died by drowning, however, it was also noted that dingoes had come in contact with her body both before and after her death.

Her parents Todd and Angela James touched down in Brisbane on Tuesday morning, accompanied by Piper’s best friend and travel companion, Taylor, and other family members.

The family were invited to attend a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by the Aboriginal elders of the Butchulla people on Wednesday.

The ceremony is a way for the soul of someone who has died in a foreign country to be released back to its home country.

“My little girl was strong, courageous, smart, loyal, and a really good friend to many,” Todd James said earlier this week on Facebook.

“It is now time to go to Australia to be with Piper, walk where she last walked, and try to feel the spirit of my baby girl in some way.

“We will return with Piper back home to Canada.”

The James family held a private cremation service in Brisbane and plan to take Piper’s remains back to their home in British Columbia, Canada, where a celebration of life is set for February 28.