Four Wheel Drive Hire - Barges & Permits

The only effective means of transport on Fraser Island is by four Wheel drive vehicles. There are a number of vehicle ferries departing and returning to the island at regular intervals (see our barge timetable below). There are a number of companies in Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach, Noosa and Brisbane that hire for wheel drive vehicles (listed below). There are air charter companies in Hervey Bay that fly to Fraser Island on a daily basis and land on the beach at Eurong Beach and Happy Valley.

A vehicle entry permit and a camping permit are required if you are taking a 4wd onto the island and camping. Permits are available from Queensland National Park and Wildlife Services at Rainbow Beach, Tewantin, Maryborough and Brisbane. There is an office at Hervey Bay with limited services. Permits can also be purchased online at: www.epa.qld.gov.au

As Fraser Island is all sand, take care when driving on the Island. Only travel along the beach within 2 hours of low tide and watch for washouts caused by the numerous freshwater streams flowing to the beach. If in doubt walk through the area first. Always avoid the two hours either side of high tide, always check tide times before you travel.

It is not recommended that you drive along the beach at night.

Please observe normal road rules and speed limits.

When driving on the beach keep a constant lookout for pedestrians and watch for aircraft taking off and landing on the beach.

Camping & Tours

Camping is allowed anywhere on the beach except near streams and where it is signposted otherwise. Camping inland is only allowed at designated areas.

Take extreme care when swimming on the eastern beach. It is usually very rough water and does contain severe rips.

There are also a number of guided tours to Fraser Island. One, two or three day tours leave Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, or Brisbane. Whether it is adventure or comfort you are after there is a tour to suit your taste. Tours and accommodation guide can be found at: See Fraser Island.

Fraser Island Barge Time Table

FRASER VENTURE

Vehicle and passenger barge. Travels between River Heads ( 10 minutes drive out of Hervey Bay ) and Wanggoolba Creek on Fraser Island. Traveling time is approx 20 minutes.

Barge Timetable Departure Times

River Heads: 8.30 am, 10.15am, 3.30pm
Wanggoolba Creek: 9.00am, 2.30pm, 4.00pm

FRASER DAWN

Vehicle and passenger barge. Travels between Urangan Boat Harbour ( in Hervey Bay ) and Moon Point on Fraser Island. Travelling time is approx 45 minutes.

Barge Timetable Departure Times

Urangan: 8.30 am, 3.30pm (April to August), 4.00pm (September to March)
Moon Point: 9.30am, 4.30pm (April to August, 5.00pm (September to March)

KINGFISHER BARGE

Vehicle and Passenger Barge. Travels between River Heads and Kingfisher Bay Resort. Travelling time is approximately 45 minutes.

Barge Timetable Departure Times

River Heads: 7.15 am, 11.00am, 2.30pm
Kingfisher Bay Resort: 8.30am, 1.30pm, 4.00pm

RAINBOW VENTURE AND FRASER EXPLORER

Vehicle and Passenger Barge. Both barges operate continuously departing from Inskip Point daily, landing at the most Southern tip of Fraser, Hook Point. Travelling time is approximately 10 minutes.
Operates continuously between dawn and dusk daily.