• Itinerary

Hervey Bay - 3N

 Fraser Island - 5N

Hervey Bay -  2N 

= 10N

• Islands -

UNESCO listed Fraser Island 

is the world's largest sand island. It is 123 km long by 22 km wide

• Visa -

40 different countries are able to get e-visas and Electronic Travel Authorisations on line. Check with your local Embassy to see what you need to do. 

Click here for information

• Budget -

About $400 a day for a couple

• Population -

182

• AKA -

In June 2023 Fraser Island was renamed back to K'gari which means paradise in the local Butchella People's language. They have lived here for thousands of years. When European colonisers came in the 19th century it was briefly known as the Great Sandy Island. After a shipwreck in 1836 it was named after one of the survivors Eliza Faser. It is pronounced Garee.

• About -

Fly into Hervey Bay 

a very pleasant little seaside town and destination in its own right.

Spend a few nights here, organise your supplies, vehicle, equipment and permit.

Squeeze in a visit to the 

Famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery 

and pick up some supplies for your trip. 

Have a look around and see what this town has to offer. 

Spend another night here at the end of the trip to save rushing about. 

If you don't want to hire a 4 wheel drive and go camping book into the Kingfisher Bay Resort and use the Kingfisher bay ferry. 

They have an extensive list of activities and great food

• Rental -

There are several reputable companies in Hervey Bay where you can rent a 4 wheel drive and all your camping needs. 

They will organise your ferry crossings, permits, insurance, bookings and provide useful information and maps.

 They provide important services such as Island back up service, trip briefing, camping and attractions advice,

Have a look at these three companies and compare their packages.

Aussie Trax

Safari 4WD Hire

Fraser Dingo 4WD Adventures

• Go -

Any time of year is a good time to go to Fraser Island. Try to avoid school holidays and weekends when it gets crowded.

August - November is a good time to see Humpback whales

SUMMER - December - February 29C humid and wet. The hottest season with the most rain. A good time for swimming.

AUTUMN / FALL - March - May 23C less rain and humidity.

WINTER - June - August 18C low rain and humidity high chance of whales

SPRING - September - November 25C low rain and humidity

• Airports & Flights

Hervey Bay Airport (HVB) with links to Melbourne (MEL) , Sydney (SYD) and Brisbane (BNE). There is a bus connection to the Fraser Island ferry

You could also catch the train up from Brisbane to Maryborough. Train lovers could extend that to Sydney or even Melbourne

Check flights here.

• Ferry -

Manta Ray Barge - 

used by most people. Runs from Inskip Point Rainbow Beach 6 am to 5 pm, takes 10 mins and costs $130 return per vehicle. Best to book

Fraser Island Barges - 

From River Heads (20 mins south of Hervey bay) runs 3 services per day to Wanggoolba Creek where you can get a ferry to Kingfisher resort. takes nearly an hour and costs $180 per vehicle.

• Stay -

Hervey Bay - Stay at or near 

Coconut Palms on the Bay ***½

Or for a cheapie try 

Woolshed Eco Lodge ***

There are a variety of resorts and other places to stay on Fraser Island.

Kingfisher Bay Resort is recommended

Check here for specials

The best way to see Fraser Island is by 4 wheel drive and camping out. 

Everything you need can be hired in Hervey Bay as well as bookings and a permit. Some people camp in one spot and branch out from there while others move camp after a couple of days. There are 45 camping spots. The choice is yours

• Features -

Amazing Camping Spots

• History -

It is believed people have lived here for over 20,000 years. It was home to the Butchulla people who called it K'gari which aptly means paradise.

Captain Cook sailed past in 1770 and saw some locals standing on a headland and named it Indian Head.

In 1802 Mathew Flinders stopped by to pick up supplies.

In 1836 Captain Fraser was shipwrecked and died here. When the survivors were rescued his wife Eliza claimed the natives had killed him. Other members of the party claimed he died of natural causes. Either way the island was named Fraser Island.

In 1992 the island was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites.

· Unique - 

The only place in the world where rainforests grow on sand dunes 

World's largest sand island

See -

Humpback whales from August to November - there are boat tours

The purest strain of wild dingoes in Eastern Australia

Maheno shipwreck - wrecked on its way to the wreckers

Follow the boardwalk through the forest

The Pinnacles - coloured sands north of Eli Creek, 72 colours, count them :-)

Sandy Cape Light House

Hammerstone sandblow - huge sand dune

· Do -

Drive the iconic 75 mile beach with rainforest on one side and sparkling ocean waters on the other. Legally it's a road and it comes complete with signs and police speed cameras and an  80kmh speed limit. Give way to aeroplanes. Seriously :-)

Walking trails through the rainforest

It's a good place to go fishing

Take a scenic flight - taking off and landing on the beach

Play on the Sandy Cape sand dunes

Climb Indian Head

Look for Turtles in Lake Wabby

Bathe in the Champagne Pools - rock pool where breaking waves create froth

Walk along Wanggoolba Creek - crystal clear creek through the rain forest with rare ferns

· Highlights -

Swimming in the very blue

 Lake Mackenzie

Follow the boardwalk through the bush then float back down stunning freshwater Eli Creek with the current to the beach. Bring a tube or something floaty if you've got one. It's worth buying one if you haven't

• Eat -

Barbie on the beach (BBQ)

Seafood lunch or diner at Dune Restaurant and Rainforest Bar at the Kingfisher Bay Resort

Pie and sauce from the Eurong Bakery

• Drink -

Cold beers out of the Esky (Cooler / Chilly Bin)

Take some cocktail ingredients for sundowners

Bundy & Coke from your trip to the Distillery

A bottle of South Australian Red with your BBQ dinner

Mckenzie's on 75

• Sundowners -

The jetty at Kingfishers Bay Resort

At the Maheno Wreck

Good sunrises for the early risers

• Specialties -

Stargazing

• Tips -

If you're coming over with your own 4 wheel drive it's important that you have good clearance, low range option, long range fuel tanks, a tyre pressure device and compressor. Some spares and a tow cable are also recommended.

It will be much cheaper to stock up on everything you will need before you go. If you do run short of booze or feel like a treat there are shops at some of the resorts and campsites. Some also stock groceries.

There are 5 locations where you can buy fuel.

Grab a good map that has all this information on it.

Learn the Dingo protocols

Don't swim in the ocean - there are rips, sharks and stingers - swim in the lakes, there are over 100 freshwater lakes

You will need a vehicle and camping permit (arrange with your rental people)

Pre book everything you can

Some camps have dingo fencing if you are going with small children

You don't get phone coverage everywhere. Download Maps.me app and Queensland map before you go

Bring a heap of $2 coins for showers in the campgrounds

• Famous -

UNESCO listed World's largest sand island

· Festivals -

The Supercalifragilistic Mary Poppins Festival in Maryborough June / July

• Extra -

Have a look at Australia in 'Countries A - L' - 'Islands' and 'Honeymoons' as well as Nullarbor Links in 'Golfing Nomads'.