Fraser Island, Australia
Fraser Island (K’gari), Queensland — hands down the best spot on Australia’s East Coast for a restless kind of vacation. Think semi-safe jeep safaris across sand dunes and 100 km of beach highway — well, during low tide.
Restless, as in active: driving around the island, swimming in freshwater lakes, fishing, hiking, and spotting dingoes — usually lurking near picnic areas (translation: trash bins).
A “safe” safari here means: even if you get stuck, unlike in the middle of the Outback, someone will eventually pass by — traffic isn’t exactly urban, but a car every 10–15 minutes is reassuring enough.
How to Get to Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, and surprisingly easy to reach.
From Brisbane, it’s a 250 km drive north. Or fly from pretty much anywhere in Australia to Hervey Bay.
You can catch a vehicle ferry to Fraser from River Heads, about 15 km from Hervey Bay.
The barges run 3–4 times daily from River Heads to two points on the island: Kingfisher Bay Resort (the first resort built after they decided to stop logging and start tourism) and Wanggoolba Creek.
Just Google «Fraser Island ferry schedule» — no need for extra drama.
Car Access & Permits
You’ll need a proper 4WD — not a soft SUV, but a real beast with high clearance, low-range gears, and diff locks.
No permit = no entry. Seriously.
Permits are issued when buying ferry tickets at River Heads.
But you’ll need to show two things:
- Proof of accommodation on Fraser
- A suitable vehicle (no sedans or soft-roaders allowed)
Oh, and of course, pay for the permit.
Renting a 4WD for Fraser Island
You can rent a proper Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in Brisbane Airport via Rentalcars, or pick one up in Hervey Bay (same site).
There are also a few local 4×4 rental companies in Hervey Bay, but their prices tend to bite — usually more expensive than Rentalcars.
Where to Stay on Fraser Island
If you’re staying on the mainland, this site has tons of options in Hervey Bay.
On Fraser itself, we’ve stayed twice at Eurong Beach Resort — decent place, reliable availability, and close to the beach highway.
More on Fraser Island
Our earlier article: 4WD Adventure Across Fraser Island
What to see and do on Fraser: find out here
Full trip report on the VinSky Forum:
Things to Do on Fraser Island
Fraser Island Video
