Nestled close to the Queensland coast and just 190km north of Brisbane is one of Australia's unique wilderness areas, Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world.
Stretching over 123km and rising to a height of 244metres, Fraser Island stands as a testimony to the all-powerful forces of nature. Wind and sea have carried its sands from Australia's east coast and formed a touch of paradise Down Under.
The island was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1992 for its outstanding natural features.
Management
The Queensland Government has recognised the importance of providing sensible management of the recreational use of Fraser Island. This has resulted in the declaration of the Fraser Island Recreation Area. Recreation management is now coordinated under the authority of Recreation Areas Management Act 1988. The day-to-day management of this area is being undertaken by the Department of Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Service (QNPWS).
Permits
All vehicles entering the island (except landholders' vehicles and other specially exempt vehicles) must have a Vehicle Access Permit and be registered under the Main Roads Act (1920-1984). The permit must be fixed to your windscreen before entry. Please don't attach the Vehicle Access Permit until you reach the barge. This will allow the entry date to be altered by an authorised officer (at permit issuing offices) if you are unavoidably delayed.
Permits are also required in advance for camping in the Fraser Island Recreational Area, covering almost the whole of the Island. These permits are not valid for private camping areas (Dilli Village and Cathedral Beach Resort). Please refer to the Department of Environment's Fraser Island visitor information sheet for details of fees. An information kit is also available with the purchase of your permit.
Permit Issuing offices are located at:
- Brisbane Naturally Qld. Shop, Ground floor 160 Ann St (07) 32278185
- Gympie Q.NPWS Bruce Highway (07) 5482 4189
- Maryborough Q.NPWS Cnr Lennox & Alice Sts (07) 4123 7100
- Bundaberg Q.NPWS Quay St (07) 4153 8620
- Hervey Bay City Council, 77 Tavistock St, Torquay (07) 4125 0222
- Marina Kiosk Buccaneer Dve.,
- Urangan Boat Harbour (07) 4128 9800
- River Heads General Store Ariadne St (07) 4125 7133
- Rainbow Beach Q.NPWS Rainbow Beach Rd (07) 5486 3160
Access
Access to Fraser Island is by vehicular barges, aircraft, passenger launches, commercial tours and private boats. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are the only practical means of travelling on the island. Please refer to the section above on Permits for information on entry requirements.
Barge services
A number of vehicular ferries run to Fraser Island on a daily basis. Some operate from Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach across the southern end of the island. Barges also operate daily from the Urangan Boat Harbour and River Heads at Hervey Bay to destinations at Moon Point, Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village and Wanggoolba Creek on the mainland side of the island.
4WD Hire Vehicles
Most of the roads and tracks are sand. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are needed both inland and on the beaches. 4WD Rentals hire are in Brisbane. It is advisable to book early for peak holiday periods.
Air Services
You can fly to the island from Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach, Maryborough and Noosa. Airstrips are located at Toby's Gap (managed by Dept of Environment QNPWS), one near the Wanggoolba Creek barge landing (managed by Eurong Beach Resort) and another at Orchid Beach (managed by Orchid Beach ALA). Pilots must obtain permission from the relevant manager to use these strips. Various air charter services operate to the eastern beach at Eurong, Happy Valley, Cathedral Beach and Orchid Beach. Helicopter transfers may be arranged from Hervey Bay to Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, Eurong, Happy Valley, Cathedral Beach Tourist Resort and Orchid Beach.
Launch Services
A regular fast cat ferry service operates from Urangan Boat Harbour to Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village seven days a week. A variety of charter boats and cruise boats operate from Hervey Bay Boat Harbour. You can choose either a trip combining boat and island transport or 41boat cruise along the mainland side of the island. Houseboats and sailing yachts are also available for charter from Maryborough and Tin Can Bay.
Island Tours
The many daily tours of Fraser, departing from Noosa, Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay, will give you a taste of the island's best known features. Other tours operate from accommodation centres at Eurong Beach Resort, Happy Valley Resort and Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village. See the Queensland Government Travel Centre or your local tourist agent for bookings.
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