A teenage traveller whose body was found surrounded by dingoes on a K’gari beach died in one of her favourite places in the world, her family said as they called for more education for tourists visiting the island.

Piper James, 19, from Canada, was found dead near the surf at the Maheno Wreck on K’gari about 6am on Monday.

She was in Australia with a friend on a five-month “trip of a lifetime”.

It is understood Piper left for a swim at 5am, with passers-by discovering her body about an hour later.

Her cause of death is still under investigations, as police await autopsy results to determine if she drowned or was attacked by the small group of dingoes found around her body, or died from some other cause.

“Our adventurous little baby girl was full of life and determined with what she wanted to do,” her father Todd James told 7NEWS from his home in Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, as the family prepare to fly to Australia.

“(She was) focused and had set dreams for herself and to make those dreams come true.”

James said Piper had worked hard for several years at British Columbia Fire Fighting Service to make her travel dreams a reality.

“She would call us and tell us all the time how wonderful the people in Australia were, how they made her feel, she loved the vibe everywhere she went,” he said.

“Unfortunately, one of her favourite places was Fraser Island (K’gari).“

James said Piper was in regular contact with her family as she travelled.

“I believe she took her cell phone with her to call us that morning but that never happened,” he said.

“She would usually call us at that time.”

James said Piper and her travel companion, Taylor, had toured the island with Dingo Adventures before becoming friends with the tour business owners.

“Dingo Adventures offered her and Taylor a job and she was going to be there for six weeks before continuing their journey,” James said.

“Unfortunately, this tragic, horrific event has happened and has ended that dream for Piper.”

Taylor was now preparing to return home to Canada on Wednesday, he added.

James said Piper loved the people she worked with so much he was “almost worried she wouldn’t want to come home”.

“It’s just sad. The day before this happened Piper was telling us how the people she worked with, how they talked about being a family, and she said it’s not just words, they made her feel that way,” he said.

James said Piper’s workmates at Dingo Adventures were “devastated” by her death and had talked fondly to him about her “work ethic, drive and her determination”.

“(It) was so wonderful to hear what kind of girl she was when I wasn’t around and couldn’t see,” he said.

“I’m just proud of her. I was always proud of her. I wish she was here with us all.

“I don’t know how much more I can say about Piper, except she was loved by many and her mum and dad. Many are going to miss her.”

An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday, with results to be shared with her family as soon as they are available.

The death has sparked debates over issues surrounding previous dingo attacks on the island, with some people calling for a cap on visitors.

James said he does not believe Piper was involved in any provoking activities, such as feeding the island’s dingoes, but believe she had “let her guard down” regarding her safety.

“I think maybe she’s let her guard down, early in the morning,” he said.

Asked what he would like to see in the wake of his daughter’s death, James said he would call for more education for visitors about the risks that exist on the island.

“More education for people who aren’t familiar with the area, (and for people) not to let your guard down,” he said.

“As street smart as we tried to prepare Piper to be, you get settled in and you’re comfortable and you feel safe but when you leave those safe areas into wild nature, maybe a little bit more information for visitors (is needed).”