K’gari (Fraser Island) is one of the top destinations to visit on an East Coast road trip. This is the largest sand island in the world, full of stunning natural features, unique wildlife, and fascinating cultural history. Simply put – you need to go to K’gari if you’re in this part of Australia. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the island!
How to Get to K’gari (Fraser Island)
You need your own vehicle to get to K’gari. And due to the fact that there aren’t paved roads and you’ll be driving on sandy beaches, you must have a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle. There are two ferry crossings to K’gari: Inskip Point (near Rainbow Beach, to the very southern point of the island), and River Heads (near Hervey Bay, to Kingfisher Bay Resort). Keep in mind you’ll need a vehicle permit from Queensland National Parks to drive anywhere on K’gari (Fraser Island). If you don’t have a suitable vehicle, you can rent a 4WD. But otherwise, the easiest way to travel to K’gari is to join a tour.
What is the Best K’gari (Fraser Island) Tour Company?
There are multiple tour companies that run trips to K’gari. Which tour company you book will depend on your budget, and how many days you want to spend to spend on the island, and the vibe you’re after. I personally recommend K’gari Fraser Island Adventures – I did a work exchange with them for two weeks and got to join a tour at the end of my stint! Their three-day tours start from $625 per person, which includes all your transport (pick-ups/drop-offs at Noosa or Rainbow Beach), beachfront accommodation, all food (which is really good – they can cater for any dietary requirements), all excursions, and an amazing guide for your trip. While it’s not necessarily a party tour, it’s geared towards younger travelers and backpackers. They may be pricier than other companies, but I really believe it’s worth the money.
If you’re looking for a shorter tour to K’gari (Fraser Island), check out the options below!
What to See on K’gari (Fraser Island)
K’gari is huge – there is so much to see and do here. I really only scraped the surface on my two weeks there. I wish I’d had more time to explore more, especially as I didn’t get over to the western side of the island. But most of the best things are on the eastern side, and you can see quite a bit on a short trip. Here’s the top places to go!
75 Mile Beach
If you arrive on K’gari from the ferry at Inskip Point, you’ll be driving up 75 Mile Beach. This is – you guessed it – a beach that stretches for 75 miles. And it is absolutely incredible. Make sure you catch a sunrise here at least once; it’s worth the early alarm, trust me. Note that this beach isn’t safe for swimming due to sharks that come into shallow waters. I got so lucky to see so many whales at the start of the whale-watching season!
Lake Wabby
It’s a bit of a long walk across Hammerstone Sandblow to get to Lake Wabby – approximately 4km each way, which took me 40 minutes. But head down the sandy banks to the pretty lake at the bottom. It’s the perfect spot for a swim! It’s a popular place, so try to avoid going when the tour groups are there.
Lake Birrabeen
This lake is located in the center of the island, which means it’s less visited than some of the other spots along the coast. I felt so lucky that I got to visit, even though it rained when I was here! The shore is full of pretty white sand, and it’s another great swimming spot. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the parking area.
Central Station
Central Station was originally a logging camp, and still has a few of the historic buildings on the site. It’s – surprise – in the center of the island, so most of the inland tracks will lead you here. The highlight is the boardwalk around Wanggoolba Creek. You can see the ancient king fern (the rarest fern on earth), as well as the pristine creek and its sandy bed. This area is also an important cultural site for the local Butchulla people – historically, it’s where the women went to give birth. Make sure to spend some time here if you’re visiting K’gari.
Basin Lake
Basin Lake is perfect for getting off the beaten path on K’gari (Fraser Island). It’s a 40-minute walk (approximately 3km) each way through the rainforest from Central Station. But as it’s harder to get to, it tends to be much quieter – you might just have it all to yourself!
Kirrar Sandblow
Want to go sandboarding on K’gari? Head to Kirrar Sandblow, which is a short walk (1km one-way) from 75 Mile Beach. Bring a boogie board or something suitable, and head up the hill! The views from the top are stunning – so make sure to bring your camera, too.
SS Maheno Wreck
This shipwreck is one of the iconic symbols of K’gari. The ocean liner was originally owned by New Zealand, and sold for scrap to Japan in 1935. On the journey it was wrecked in a cyclone and drifted onto 75 Mile Beach, where it’s stayed ever since! It’s one place you cannot miss on the island.
Champagne Pools
Champagne Pools was one of my favorite spots on K’gari (Fraser Island). These rock pools fill with water depending on the tide, giving a fizzy appearance – hence the name. I loved getting to swim (safely!) by the beach, and relax in the crystal-clear waters. It can get busy depending on how many tour groups are visiting, so try to time your visit around them if possible.
Indian Head
Indian Head is the most easterly point on Fraser Island. You’ll definitely want to visit the lookout here! Park on the beach and follow the short walk up to the top. It’s close to the Champagne Pools, between them and the SS Maheno Wreck.
Eli Creek
The perfect place for freshwater swimming, Eli Creek is a must-do on K’gari. You can walk up the boardwalk to the start of the creek, and then float, swim, or walk back down the creek. It’s a great spot to park up for a few hours to chill on the sand and splash in the shallow waters.
Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora)
This was my favorite place on K’gari. The lake is an unbelievably bright blue color, with crystal-clear water! Stand-up paddleboarding here was so fun, and if you bring a snorkel you might get lucky and see turtles in the water. Kick back, relax, and give yourself a few hours here. You won’t regret it! Note there is absolutely no food allowed on the shore of the lake – you need to eat any food in the picnic area, which is inside a dingo fence.
K’gari Great Walk
If you’re after a multi-day hike, lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail on the K’gari Great Walk! This is a 90km (56mi) trail, which will take between six and eight days to complete. It starts in Dilli Village and ends at Happy Valley, visiting top places like Central Station, Lake McKenzie, and Lake Wabby. There are some sections of the trail you can do as day hikes, if you don’t want to commit to the full trail.
Where to Stay on K’gari (Fraser Island)
Most overnight tours to K’gari will include accommodation as part of the tour. There are many basic campsites throughout the nine camping areas on K’gari, which are operated by Queensland National Parks. You’ll need to book and get your camping permit in advance of your stay! There are quite a few campsites along 75 Mile Beach – choose your preferred camping area on the website when you book.
Not wanting to camp? Check out all the accommodation options on K’gari. There aren’t that many hotels on the island – the two main ones are Kingfisher Bay Resort, and Eurong Beach Resort. However, there are holiday villas/studios available. Here are a few that I’d recommend:
- Fraser Island Beach Houses (Eurong)
- Orchid Beach Apartments (Orchid Beach)
- Orchid Beach Retreat Orchid Beach Fraser Island (Orchid Beach)
- Fraser Island – Our Holiday Home (Kingfisher Bay)
- Our Beach House (Kingfisher Bay)
For more options, use the map below!
Planning Your Trip to K’gari (Fraser Island)
There are wild dingoes on K’gari, which you should be aware of at all times. Do not ever feed dingoes, and don’t approach them – keep your distance and let them be. Carry a dingo stick with you in unfenced areas, and walk in pairs. Always keep children close, and secure any and all food. Read up on how to be dingo-safe before your trip. The closest airport for K’gari is Hervey Bay airport, although Brisbane is the largest nearby major airport. I always use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
If you’re not wanting to join a tour, make sure you have a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle – and are confident driving it. And remember to get a vehicle permit before you go!
K’gari (Fraser Island) is a magnificent and unique island to visit in Australia. I loved getting to see so much here during my two weeks, and would have loved to spend even longer. Don’t miss this wonderful destination on the East Coast – I hope this post helps planning a trip to K’gari!
Have you visited K’gari (Fraser Island) before? What were your must-see spots?
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