Home » Australia Travel Tips » Fraser Island

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is an island located along the southern coast of Queensland, Australia approximately 190 miles north of Brisbane. It became a World Heritage site in 1992 and is the largest sand island in the world. Fraser island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly colored sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes, some tea-colored and others clear and blue all ringed by white sandy beaches. It is a very popular destination of backpackers and locals alike for 4×4 drives and multi-day camping activities. Just watch out for all the wild dingos!

Costs on Fraser Island

• Hostel Prices: There are no hostels, only resorts, on Fraser Island. The majority of people come here to camp and that is free.
• Budget Hotel Prices: Rooms at the resorts on Fraser Island are around $60 AUD per night.
• Average Cost of Food: You bring your own food onto Fraser Island unless you are staying at the resorts, where it is provided for you.
• Cost of Internet: $12 AUD per hour at the main resort.
• Transportation Costs: You can only travel around Fraser Island on a self-drive 4WD or with a guided tour. See below for costs of both.

Things to Do on Fraser Island

• Lake MacKenzie – The jewel of Fraser Island, Lake MacKenzie is a large perched lake with crystal blue waters and white sands. The area is one of the most popular on the island so can get crowded during the middle of the day in peak season.
• Lake Wabby – A green colored lake some 20 min walk from the beach, with a large sand blow that is slowly encroaching upon the lake. Freshwater turtles and fish can sometimes be seen swimming in the lake.
• Indian Heads – The rocky outcrop at the northern end of the main beach. Climb to the top to look down into the ocean and spot sharks, rays and turtles.
• Champagne Pools – North of Indian Heads, these rock pools provide a safe place to bathe in sea water. Their name is derived from the froth created when waves break over the edge and into the pools.
• Eli Creek – A freshwater creek midway along the main beach where bathers can float down with the current. A boardwalk provides access to the top of the creek.
• Maheno Shipwreck – In 1935 the retired passenger steamer Maheno was being towed to Japan for scrapping when a storm forced it ashore. It was used to for bombing tests during WW2. It’s best seen during low tide.
• Seventy Five Mile Beach – This length of beach stretches along the entire eastern side of the island and is considered the main road of the area. Many of the island’s best sights, such as the Coloured Sands, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Ship Wreck can be seen along the beach. You can see the entire stretch, from Indian Head, or up close while 4WD driving.
• Hammerstone Sandblow – This huge sand dune is so captivating in size, that you will suddenly feel like you are in a desert. From start to finish, your adventure begins in a section of rainforest and ends at Lake Wabby. This trek is definitely one better suited for the athletic and fit.
• Send an email home – Sounds silly, right? For those of you that can’t live without the internet, you should know that communication on Fraser Island is fairly primitive still. There are a couple of post office letter boxes at the villages, but the likelihood of getting a stamp is even few and far between. There is, however, a single internet hotspot at the Happy Valley Backpackers Center, just inside the dining area.
• Airstrip on the beach – Why not make it a quick trip? Fraser Island is small. While there are a few things to do and see, this is the ideal place for a day trip. You can easily charter a flight over the island and do a quick ground tour to see the highlights, and simply leave after dinner.
• Wanggoolba Creek – In the middle of the rainforest of Fraser Island, the Wanggoolba Creek runs crystalline clear and surrounded by rare King ferns. Beautiful and all together amazing, these ferns are said to have existed here for over 2500 years. Due to tourist destruction, only 60 are left. Walk along the boardwalk of the creek and take it all in.

Budget Tips for Fraser Island
There are only two ways to see Fraser Island:

• You can visit the island through a 1 or 2 day guided tour. These Fraser Island tours leave from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach. The tour drives around in 4WD buses and see all the major sites. They typically cost between $150 – $250 AUD.
• The other, and most popular way, to visit the island is through a 4WD self-drive. For about $150 AUD, you’ll join a group of other travelers for a 3 day, 2 night driving tour of the island. These tours let you choose where and when you go. If you are traveling alone- don’t worry as you’ll be put into a group of other travelers. You will need to bring your own food and alcohol with you. Tours leave from nearby Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay, the two points of entry onto the island.

Why use this site?

Ultimate Travel Guide

This guide to traveling the world features tips, tricks, and savings advice not featured in this blog. You'll learn how to become an expert traveler and travel cheaper, better, and longer. And you'll get $1k in free travel coupons to start!