The ultimate guide to a holiday on Fraser Island (K’gari)
A getaway to a Queensland island is always a great idea but choosing Fraser Island (aka K’gari) for your holiday is an even better one. It goes by many names: soon to be K’gari officially, formerly Fraser Island and sometimes the World’s Largest Sand Island. Whatever you call it, any holiday to Fraser Island is awesome and as an added bonus, it’s a u-beaut destination for families.
Fraser Island is indeed World Heritage Listed and is truly unique. Here you will find ancient rainforests growing in sand, stunning freshwater lakes and fascinating sand formations. Expect to find 120km of beach highway, towering sand dunes and a shipwreck. That’s just the start!
This guide brings together all of our articles on Fraser Island, providing a one-stop guide for your Fraser Island holiday. So keep reading as whatever adventure and comfort level your family is looking for, the island has you covered.
Table of contents
Fraser Island Holiday inspiration
There is so much to see and do on a Fraser Island holiday. However, there are definitely a few things not to be missed. Don’t miss Lake McKenzie, Central Station or Eli Creek. There are plenty more Fraser Island holiday attractions I could add, but if you’re short on time, these three are guaranteed to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Accommodation on Fraser Island
Accommodation on Fraser Island ranges from camping to resort and hotel-style accommodation through to holiday homes.
Camping on Fraser Island
A Fraser Island camping holiday is the most affordable way to experience the magic! In fact, it’s one of our top 5 places for camping in the whole of Australia.
There are a number of camping grounds to choose from for your holiday to Fraser Island. However, they need to be booked before you head to the island. For more information, read our post on Fraser Island Camping for an overview of the options and how to book your permit.
Resort and hotel-style accommodation on Fraser Island
Kingfisher Bay Resort is located on the Western side of the island and has both resort and hotel-style accommodations on offer. As the landing point for the main ferry service, it’s undeniably the easiest to access. It has all the things that make a Fraser Island holiday just that little bit easier such as pools, restaurants, a junior eco rangers program and family rooms. Book your Kingfisher Bay Resort accommodation here.
Eurong Beach Resort is located on the Eastern beachfront, but you will need a 4WD to get there. The rooms have recently had a facelift and as a result, it’s quite a nice place to stay for your Fraser Island holiday. It also has a restaurant, cafe and a busy little shop. Eurong Beach Resort is a great place to base yourself if you don’t want to camp. Book your Eurong Beach Resort accommodation here.
Both Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort offer accommodation holiday packages.
Happy Valley is also on the Eastern side but more conveniently located to the highlights on 75-mile beach. The restaurant serves up great pub-style meals and the staff are incredibly friendly here, offering up their own fishing gear to borrow when ours broke. Book accommodation at Fraser Island Retreat in Happy Valley here.
Fraser Island holiday house
Holiday houses can also be found on Fraser Island. This is a great option for families, giving you all the comforts of home including a kitchen. Book your Fraser Island holiday house here.
How to get to Fraser Island
Wandering how to actually get to Fraser Island for your holiday? Well, Fraser Island is located off the east coast of Australia, with Hervey Bay being the main departure point. It’s easily accessible by ferry from either Hervey Bay or Inskip Point. If you depart from Inskip Point, you will need a 4WD or to be on a tour. Air Fraser Island offers small aircraft flights departing from Hervey Bay and the Sunshine Coast. The plane lands right on Fraser Island’s beach highway!
Hervey Bay is located just under 300km north of Brisbane. It takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes to drive, or 45 minutes to fly from Brisbane. Inskip Point is around 250km north of Brisbane and takes around 3 hours to drive.
Ferry to Fraser Island
Departing Hervey Bay for your Fraser Island holiday
SeaLink K’gari Ferry has multiple return services daily to both Kingfisher Bay and Wanggoolba Creek. It departs from River Heads, just 20 minutes from the hub of Hervey Bay. You can walk on or bring your own vehicle but please remember that a 4WD is required absolutely everywhere on the island. With the exception being the resort ground roads at Kingfisher Bay which are bitumen. Those staying at Eurong Beach Resort for their Fraser Island holiday may find it easier to take the Wanggoolba Creek service as they will have no need to visit Kingfisher Bay.
Find more information and book your ferry on the SeaLink K’gary Ferry website.
Departing Inskip Point for your Fraser Island holiday
Locally owned and operated, The Manta Ray Barge departs from Inskip Point at Rainbow Beach. It lands on the southern end of Fraser Island and is strictly 4WD only. Find more information on the Manta Ray Barge on their website.
Getting around Fraser Island
Apart from the Kingfisher Bay resort grounds, Fraser Island is strictly 4WD only. If you don’t own a 4WD, don’t worry, there are other options available for a fun Fraser Island holiday.
Self-drive
If you’re comfortable driving on sand, bring your own 4WD over on the barge. Permits are required to drive on Fraser Island and you will need to organise this before you depart for your holiday. I have included details a bit further down.
4WDs can also be hired either individually or as a tag-a-long tour with a lead driver to assist. There are plenty of car hire places in Hervey Bay that can assist.
Island taxi
The Fraser Island taxi service has been around since 1985 and can pick up/drop off anywhere on the island. Visit the Fraser Island tax website to find more information.
4WD bus tour
You won’t have any problems finding Fraser Island bus tours for your holiday! Book them online, in Hervey Bay or from Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Permits required for a holiday to Fraser Island
If you’re planning to camp and drive on your Fraser Island Holiday, a permit will need to be obtained before you leave.
- Get your Camping Permit through the QLD National Parks Website here.
- Get your Vehicle Permit through the QLD National Parks Website here.
Things to know before you go
What to Expect
A Fraser Island holiday is all about the outdoors with all the attractions being of nature, scenery and soft adventure type. Beaches, lakes, swimming and sand dunes are all fun features of a holiday to Fraser Island. The island is perfect for a family adventure but if you can’t do without a stroller or dedicated baby change tables, Fraser Island might not be for you. Lots of people bring young kids here every year, but you will have to adapt by ditching the stroller and changing diapers on a towel.
The weather and best time to visit for a Fraser Island holiday
The climate here is fairly mild so you can visit at any time of the year. This, of course, makes the choice more about convenience than necessity.
The summer months of December through February see temperatures of approximately 22 – 30 degrees Celsius. A lot of families plan their Fraser Island holiday for the Christmas school holidays.
Historically, July to September is the dryest three months of the year. However, coming out of winter into spring (ranging from 10 – 24 degrees Celcius) makes it a bit cold to swim in the already cold lakes. Winter Sunshine in Queensland is beautiful and I think it’s a great time to visit if you don’t mind swimming in cold water.
Mid-July to Mid-November is whale watching season and a holiday to Fraser Island is a great opportunity to jump on board one of the Whale Watch tours from Hervey Bay as well.
Don’t forget to pack
Sunscreen, bathers, hat, bug spray, travel insurance and any medications you might need.
Don’t forget to bring a blow-up floaty of some kind. Nearly every 4WDing family will have a blow-up purple unicorn floaty (or whatever was popular at KMart that Christmas) in the tray back or strapped down to the roof. When you get to Eli Creek, you’ll see why!
Staying safe
Make sure to read the QLD Parks and Wildlife services guides to being Dingo Safe and Driving on Sand before you go.
