Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia

Fraser Island is located off Queensland, Australia, and is the largest island of sand in the world. This majestic National Heritage island has no sealed roads, no bridges, fantastic scenery, ocean fishing, and dramatic wildlife.

The only way to get around Fraser Island is in a 4WD vehicle. 4WDs are available for hire from Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay, and on Fraser Island itself.

An ideal choice of 4WD is a 4WD camper as it is fully equipped with all camping requirements.

Table of Contents

What is a 4WD Camper?

A 4WD camper is a 4WD that is fully equipped for exploring the great outdoors.

It may be a Toyota Landcruiser wagon with roof tent, ground tent, camping equipment including gas stove and fridge or a purpose built self contained camper.

Getting to Fraser Island

Fraser Island is about 300km north of Brisbane, Queensland. A 4 hour drive up the Bruce Highway, turning off to Hervey Bay, will get you and your 4WD camper to the Fraser Island ferry service.

Alternatively, you can turn off the Bruce Highway near Gympie, and drive through to Rainbow Beach to catch the ferry there.

As there are no bridges to Fraser Island a barge from either Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach is required to get your 4WD to the island. Prices for a return vehicle range between $80 and $140 at the time of printing.

Times and prices are subject to seasonal variations. Bookings are required and times and fares can be verified when placing your booking.

There are various drop off points for the different ferries. You should ensure that your ferry is headed for your particular destination.

4WDriving around Fraser Island.

Fraser Island is quite unique in that the eastern beaches make up a highway and also an airfield. You need concentrate and not be too engrossed in the scenery to avoid running down fishermen, children, dingoes and colliding with planes and other 4WDs.

You will be driving on the left side of tracks and other vehicles.

Driving on the beaches on Fraser Island should only be done during low tides. 4WDs can and do get caught in creeks and the ocean.

This can make you liable for an expensive recovery operation and hire insurance on your 4WD can be voided by immersion is salt water.

Road rules apply and speed limits are enforced. The beach has a speed limit of 80km/hr and the inland tracks 35km. Some areas require lower speeds of 15km/hr.

Driving at nighttime is not recommended.

Everybody must wear their seat belts as collision with other 4WD vehicles is possible and some tracks can be very rough.

Permits for Fraser Island

Permits are required for both driving and camping on Fraser Island. These can be arranged when arranging your campervan rental.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) provide weekly tide charts, track condition reports, and campsite availability. QPWS will also be issuing your driving and camping permits.

Careful!

The oceans around Fraser Island are not recommended for swimming or surfing. Shark warning signs abound for good reason. However, there are plenty of lakes and creeks that are safe to take a dip in.

Fraser Island has a large population of dingoes. The dingoes should not be fed or touched. The instructions you are given regarding the dingoes should be followed.

There are no medical facilities on Fraser Island.

Most mobile, or cell, phones will not work on Fraser Island. There are pay phones at many of the public facilities.

Carry plenty of water aboard as some areas are considered remote.

Camping Sites

There are maintained camping sites at Central Station, Waddy Point, Lake Mackenzie and Lake Allom. There are also casual beach camping sites on both coasts.

Camping permits are normally given out on a first come first served basis.

Facilities on Fraser Island.

Kingfisher Bay, Eurong Beach, Happy Valley, Orchid Valley, and Cathedral Beach, all offer varying facilities such as take-away food, provisions, fishing tackle and bait, pay phones, petrol stations etc.

What to see on Fraser Island.

75 miles, or 120 kms of glorious ocean, perfect year round for the keen fisherman.

Lush rain forests growing in sand.

Multi-coloured sand cliffs dating back 700,000 years.

Huge sand dunes; some over 240 metres above sea level. Some areas to the west end of Fraser Island have a distinct desert appearance.

Sand blows, where wind-blown sand dunes are slowly engulfing ancient lakes.

Whales. Late July through to early November is the whale watching season. The still waters on the western side of the island, near Kingfisher Bay, make for pleasant waters that the whales like to frolic in. The eastern side of the island offers views of the whales migrating in the ocean.

Lakes. Fraser Island has over 100 inland lakes. The colours of the waters range from astonishing crystal blues through to almost tea coloured.

Wild dingoes.

Stranded 4WD drivers who have taken unnecessary risks.

Conclusion

Fraser Island is the ultimate destination for a 4WD camper hire holiday in Australia.

With a little planning and common sense this is getting away from it all at its very best, with ancient and glorious scenery as your backdrop.