Fraser Island is the most idyllic island escape for a family holiday but given its location, it does require a little bit of planning so here is everything you need to know before you go.
Planning Your Trip To Fraser: How to Get There
When planning your trip to Fraser Island (K’gari) you need to consider how to get there. Located approximately 300km north of Brisbane there are several ways to get to Fraser Island.
Ferry
A variety of ferries and barges can get you to the Island. These can be accessed from Inskip Point 15 minutes from Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay, or from River Heads 20 minutes from Hervey Bay.
Fly
Qantas operates direct flights from most Australian capital cities to Hervey Bay airport which is just a 50-minute ferry ride from Fraser Island. If you are after something a little special, Air Fraser Island operates private scenic flights straight to Fraser Island from the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay.
Bus
Oz Experience, Premier Motor Service, and Greyhound make it easy to find your way to your ferry at Hervey Bay travelling via bus from just about anywhere in Australia.
Train
Train services run to Maryborough West at which point you can rent a car or catch a taxi to your ferry at Hervey Bay. Queensland Rail, Great Southern Rail, Transport New South Wales, and XPT all operate daily.
Drive
Driving to Fraser Island is a convenient option particularly if you have a 4WD as they are the only vehicles permitted on the Island. If you plan on driving to Fraser Island you must obtain a vehicle access permit, as it is a requirement when travelling to Fraser Island. Alternately if you have booked a tour or wish to hire a 4WD on the island you can leave your car at River Heads Security Parking.
Private Boat
If you are travelling to the island on a private boat, the safest option is to follow the sheltered Western Coastline as the Eastern Coastline is notoriously dangerous.
On Foot
Walkers can travel on the ferries however, book in advance as seats are limited.
Planning Your Trip To Fraser Island: Facilities
Shops
There are a handful of convenience stores scattered across Fraser Island, each stocking essentials like bread, milk, canned foods, sunscreen, fishing supplies, fuel, souvenirs, and of course alcohol. So it is important when planning your trip to Fraser Island to plan ahead. At the Eurong Beach Resort, there is the Fraser Island Shops. At Happy Valley, there is the Happy Valley General Store. Cathedrals on Fraser Shop is located on the east side of the island near the Maheno Shipwreck. Just north of Indian Head is the Orchid Beach Trading Post, and for a slightly bigger range, with everything from fresh produce to sausage rolls, visit the General Stores at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Restaurants
There are a handful of excellent restaurants on Fraser Island, the Satinay at Happy Valley, and McKenzie’s on 75 at Eurong Beach Resort. At Kingfisher Bay, there is the Sand and Wood Restaurant, the Sand Bar and Bistro , and the highly recommended Seabelle Restaurant.
Drinking-Water
Though there are water refill stations at Eurong, Central Station, Waddy Point Camping Area, and Dundubara Camping Area, it is highly recommended that you bring your own bottled water to the Island. You must not drink any water from the rivers or lakes that have not been boiled and treated properly.
Phone Reception
There is little to no phone coverage on Fraser Island and this is also dependant on the weather as storms can affect the reception. You are likely to get the best coverage at Eurong, Kingfisher Bay, and Happy Valley. There are payphones located at Kingfisher Bay, Eurong, Central Station, and Happy Valley.
Be Dingo Safe
One of the most important things to remember on Fraser Island is to always be dingo safe. Rule number one is to never feed the dingoes. This is for the safety of yourself, others, and the dingos themselves as any foreign food can interrupt their entire ecosystem. Always keep small children within arm’s reach when out and about. Never go for runs or jogs on the beach or in the forest as running stimulates dingoes’ chasing instincts. If you come into close contact with a dingo do not run, face the dingo, keeping your arms close to your body, and call for help if you need it otherwise calmly back away to a safe space. Remain in your car to take photos of dingos, do not try and get up close and personal.
When to Go
The weather on this island paradise is as perfect as the scenery. Being close to the Tropic of Capricorn means that the temperature on Fraser Island is warm enough to swim year-round. If you are heading to Fraser for the wildlife and keen to spot some whales off the tip of Indian Head the annual migration of the humpback whale happens during the winter months. If birds are more your thing, locals advise visiting between August and April. For those fishermen looking to score the catch of a lifetime, spring is said to be the perfect time to drop a line.
Planning Your Trip To Fraser Island: Take Your Rubbish with You
In 2019 a group of 754 volunteers headed to Fraser Island to clean up the beach and collected a whopping 7,059kg of rubbish. Approximately 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die every year from eating or getting caught in plastic. When out on day trips please ensure that you take a dingo-proof container to collect your rubbish in and when you leave the island please take your waste with you.
One final thing when planning a trip to Fraser, do not forget to slip, slop and slap on that sunscreen while you are out there having the time of your life on the largest sand island in the world.
You might also like our article on: The Diverse Natural Beauty of Fraser Island.