Visiting Fraser Island: Logistics, Costs, & More

Part of Great Sandy National Park, Fraser Island was declared a World Heritage site in 1992. Spanning over 1,650 square kilometers (637 square miles), it’s home to beaches that stretch for miles as well as rainforests, mangroves, swamps, sand dunes, and even more beaches.

Yes, it has all of that.

The island has been inhabited for over 5,000 years by the Butchulla people, who named it “K’gari” which means “paradise.” In fact, the island’s name was officially changed back to K’gari in 2023 to honor the indigenous population and their history.

But they weren’t wrong. The island truly is a paradise. It’s the perfect destination for some R&R if you’re looking to get away from it all for a few days. I fell in love with the island the moment I arrived.

Located in Queensland, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. It’s a day’s drive from Brisbane (about 6-7 hours by car) and, once you take the short ferry ride to the island, you’ll be greeted by postcard-perfect vistas and all the sandy beaches that you’d ever want.

I loved my time on the island. It’s pretty easy to get around, the hikes are relatively flat, and there’s plenty of swimming opportunities. There’s not much to do on the island itself so most people tend to go for only a couple of nights.

The majority of people who visit do a 4WD self-drive tour around the island and spend their time camping, swimming, eating, avoiding dingoes (yes, there are dingoes here), and drinking by the campfire at night. Beyond that, there’s not much else to do.

I went with an organized tour because I didn’t have anyone to camp with. If you have camping gear, you can definitely organize things yourself. However, tours are super easy to book and really simplify the whole process. Even as a solo traveler, I had a blast on my tour.

Fraser remains one of the highlights of my time in Australia simply because it’s such a relaxing, easy place to visit. It’s worth the time and money.

Here’s everything you need to know to visit Fraser Island/K’gari.

 

My First Visit to K’gari

To give you a taste of what K’gari is like, here’s a short video from my first trip to the island (while it’s not the best footage, you’ll at least be able to get a sense of what this incredible area has to offer):

Again, the footage doesn’t do the experience justice (I’m a writer, not a YouTuber) but that at least paints a bit of a picture so you can start to see just how gorgeous this island is.
 

Travel Tips for Visiting K’gari

Here are a few of the most important tips you’ll need to know before you visit K’gari (some of which I learned the hard way):

1. There are 45 campsites around the island if you’re planning to camp, but not all of them have toilets or showers. Prepare accordingly. Also, bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. If you don’t want to camp, there are a couple hotels on the island, but they aren’t super cheap (prices start around 160 AUD per night).

2. If you’re planning to camp, you’ll need to get a permit and book your sites in advance. Expect to pay around 8 AUD per night for a basic campsite (or 30 AUD for a family).

3. If you’re traveling without a guide, make sure you’re aware of the tides. During high tide, some areas are inaccessible so be sure to plan accordingly.

4. Only drive to the island if you have a 4WD vehicle. Anything less will likely just get damaged or stuck as there are no proper roads around the island.

5. If you’re visiting without a tour company, remember to bring extra water (for drinking and cooking) as well as extra fuel. It’s a big island and your 4WD will go through a lot of fuel. Make sure to bring a camping stove too, as there can be fire bans in effect. In short, make sure you have everything you need to camp safely and comfortably.

6. Buy your food before you come to the island. While you can buy some things on the island, it’s very expensive and should only really be used in an emergency.

7. If you do a self-drive tour, you will likely need to bring your own food and alcohol. Be sure to check in advance.

8. Don’t worry if you’re traveling alone and still want to do the self-drive 4WD tour. Your rental company can place you with a group of other travelers so you can share a car with them.
 

Frequently Asked Questions about K’gari

What is the best time to visit K’gari?
You can visit K’gari at any time of the year. While the summer months (January-March) will be the warmest, they will also be the busiest. Consider going in the shoulder season so you can enjoy warmer temperatures without the crowds.

How do you get to K’gari?
To get to the island, you’ll need to take a ferry. The ride will cost at least 240 AUD AUD per vehicle (return), with the price going up from there based on whether you’re going during peak hours and the size of your vehicle. Walk-on passengers without a vehicle cost 80 AUD return. If you are going on an organized tour, this cost is covered.

How much is K’gari?
In addition to the ferry fee, you’ll also need to pay for accommodation on the island (if you’re not doing a multi-day tour that includes accommodation). Hotel rooms on K’gari cost anywhere between 160-350 AUD per night if you book early (more during peak season). If you’re on a budget and have camping gear, you can book campsites for as little as 8 AUD per night.

How many days do you need on K’gari?
You can do a one or two-day guided tour. Guided tours take you to all the major sites on the island. I’d save your money and do a single-day tour though. I found the two-day tour to be way too long. Only a few extra sites were added in but you have a lot of “dead” time sitting in places. I mean, how long does it really take to see the shipwreck?

However, if you’re camping, I would do two nights because you’ll be better able to hang out and hike on your own schedule.

How long are the tours?
Tours leave from Hervey Bay (northern entry point onto the island) or Rainbow Beach (southern entry point). Hervey Bay is a lot bigger than Rainbow Beach with more things to do. Rainbow Beach is a small, small town with a nice beach, a few hotels, and some restaurants. It’s supposed to be the “main backpacker destination” but I found that just as many people planned to stay in Hervey Bay. If given the choice again, I’d stay in Hervey Bay. There’s just more to do there.

My two suggested companies for 4WD tours are:

• Kingfisher Tours
• Fraser Explorer Tours

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I had a ton of fun on my trip to K’gari. It’s definitely a must-visit stop on your way up or down the coast. Just don’t be one of those people that comes just for a day trip. While the island isn’t that big, you’ll want to spend at least one night visiting K’gari.