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As the weather gets warmer and the holiday season draws near, more and more people are beginning to plan their annual summer getaway up here in Queensland. With its pristine beaches, fascinating wildlife, and epic trails, it’s no surprise that camping on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) remains one of the country’s top choices each year.
As the largest sand island in the world, this stunning location welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to its shores annually, making it one of Australia’s most popular island destinations. If you’re planning a trip here this summer, our K’gari (Fraser Island) camping guide has all the information you need to ensure the ultimate outdoor adventure.
Check out our top tips below and allow Custom Offroad to help you plan the perfect island getaway today!
First things first, you’ll need a 4WD to explore K’gari. This huge sand island has no sealed roads, and many of its most popular tourist spots can only be accessed by off-road vehicles. If you don’t have a 4WD, there are plenty available for hire near the mainland ferry terminals and the island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort.
As well as your 4WD, we also suggest bringing the following items with you when camping on K’gari:
As a remote sand island with no bridge connecting it to the mainland, catching the ferry is the only way to get to K’gari. There are two mainland ferry terminals that will take you over to the island. These are:
If you’re travelling from the River Heads terminal, you’ll need to book your ferry trip in advance. You’ll also need to arrive at the terminal and check in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
The River Heads ferry stops at two separate locations on K’gari: Wanggoolba Creek (30-minute journey) and Kingfisher Bay Resort (45-minute journey). If you’re planning to hop off at Wanggoolba Creek, you’ll need to board the ferry in a 4WD, as you won’t be able to disembark at this terminal without one.
If you’re travelling to K’gari from River Heads without a 4WD, you’ll have to disembark at Kingfisher Bay Resort. From there, you can either join an off-roading tour or rent a 4WD upon arrival.
If you’re catching the ferry from Inskip Point, there’s no need to book your trip in advance. These ferries depart every 30 minutes from 6 am to 5 pm, meaning journeys are regular and bookings aren’t necessary. Travellers should note, however, that this ferry terminal is only accessible via 4WD. As such, you’ll either need to drive your own 4WD onto the ferry or rent one from a nearby hire company beforehand.
The ferry journey from Inskip Point takes roughly 15 minutes, ending at K’gari’s Hook Point terminal at the southern tip of the island’s famous 75 Mile Beach. This beach boasts one of the most scenic off-road drives in Queensland, making the Hook Point terminal the perfect place for 4×4 enthusiasts to begin their K’gari camping trips.
Before you can go off-roading or camping on K’gari (Fraser Island), you’ll first need to obtain your camping and vehicle access permits from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
These permits are mandatory for anyone camping or driving on K’gari and must be purchased before you arrive. You can either obtain your permits via the QPWS website, or by visiting the nearest QPWS booking office in person.
Site Accessible Via: 4WD
Dingo Deterrent Fence: yes
Site Facilities: picnic tables, flush toilets, hot showers (extra cost), pay phone
Nestled within the glorious Central Station rainforest, this site is one of the most popular K’gari (Fraser Island) camping areas, and it’s pretty easy to understand why!
The site is shaded by lush tree canopies that keep the area cool and house an abundance of wildlife, creating a serene environment that’s perfect for anyone looking to relax and reconnect with nature. This camping area also has many scenic walks to enjoy and is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and diverse native wildlife.
Site Accessible Via: 4WD, boat
Dingo Deterrent Fence: yes
Site Facilities: picnic tables, flush toilets
Located right by the beach where the ocean meets Wathumba Creek on the Western side of K’gari, this camping area is a strong favourite among kayakers, boaters, and anglers.
Its calm waters are starkly different from the rolling ocean waves on the island’s eastern shores, providing campers with a safe haven to go kayaking, swimming, or paddleboarding. This campsite is also a haven for a wealth of fascinating wildlife, including colourful birds, plenty of fish, and even humpback whales during the winter months.
Site Accessible Via: 4WD
Dingo Deterrent Fence: yes
Site Facilities: picnic tables, flush toilets, hot showers, rubbish bins (general waste & recycling), camp kitchens, campfires, coin laundry, drinking water
Located just a 10-minute drive north of the iconic Maheno Shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach, Cathedrals on Fraser is a privately owned campsite that’s perfect for families and adventurers alike. With a wide range of facilities and amenities, including its own general store, fuel station, cafe, and more, this campground has everything you need for a pleasant stay.
The site itself is conveniently located just a short drive away from some of the island’s most popular tourist spots. You’ll also find accommodation options to suit every level of comfort, from basic tent sites to deluxe self-contained cabins.
Site Accessible Via: 4WD
Dingo Deterrent Fence: yes
Site Facilities: non-flush toilets
Facing the calm waters of Marloo Bay on the northern side of the island near the Binngih Sandblow, you’ll find the Waddy Point Beachfront Camping Area.
This tranquil campground boasts prime fishing spots, incredible wildlife, and plenty of scenic walks. It’s also the only site on the island where you can enjoy a beachside campfire. The surrounding walking trails, rock pools, and coastal headlands are ideal for explorers, and the sheltered waters are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.
Site Accessible Via: 4WD
Dingo Deterrent Fence: no
Site Facilities: n/a
Located along Platypus Bay on the Western shores of K’gari, this camping area boasts the best of both worlds with the ocean on one side and a freshwater creek on the other. The beachside views offer some of the best sunrises and sunsets on the island, and the calm creek waters are an ideal place for a relaxing swim.
The unsealed road leading up to the site is pretty easy to navigate, making it a particularly popular campground for less experienced off-roaders. The site doesn’t have any facilities, so you’ll need to be prepared to bring your own portable toilet and drinking water. However, we believe that’s a pretty small price to pay for the spectacular views and unforgettable experiences you’ll enjoy here.
If you ask us, no K’gari camping trip is truly complete until you’ve explored the island’s many infamous 4WD tracks! K’gari lacks any sealed roads outside the island’s resorts, making it a true 4WD paradise, with countless off-roaders travelling here every year to drive along its stunning beaches and inland trails. These off-road tracks are so popular that there are even several 4WD tours available for any visitors who aren’t keen on driving around the island themselves.
Top 4WD adventures on K’gari include:
Looking for even more adventure? Check out our in-depth guide to the top 10 K’gari 4WD tracks for a complete breakdown of our favourite drives across the island!
K’gari is filled with many incredible locations that attract countless tourists every year. From its pristine beaches and vibrant rainforests to its stunning lakes and tranquil creeks, the entire island is a true wonderland for adventurers and nature lovers alike. While you’re camping on K’gari, we’d highly recommend checking out the following tourist hotspots:
On top of its many 4WD tracks, K’gari has numerous walking trails to explore as well. The K’gari Great Walk is an especially famous track. This 90 km walk lasts approximately 6-8 days, taking visitors across the island’s tropical beaches and brilliant headlands to its dense woodlands, iconic lakes, and beyond.
If you’d prefer to tackle some shorter hikes instead, K’gari also has several other walking trails that you can build into your day trips and weekend adventures, such as:
Placed on the World Heritage List in 1992 for its exceptional natural beauty, K’gari is filled with breathtaking landscapes that harbour a wealth of rare flora and fauna.
The ocean waters surrounding K’gari are home to a wealth of unique marine animals, such as turtles, rays, dugongs, dolphins, and many shark species (yep, steer clear of ocean swims here). If you visit in winter, you may even be lucky enough to see pods of humpback whales migrating along the coast with their calves.
That’s not all, though! During your stay, you’ll also have the chance to observe all kinds of creatures roaming around the island, including colourful birdlife, adorable wallabies, curious reptiles, and the island’s infamous dingoes. Just remember to keep a safe distance while you’re watching these guys! While a lot of K’gari’s creatures look pretty cute, they’re still wild animals, and you can expect them to behave as such.
You’ll be doing a lot of driving while exploring K’gari, so it’s important to know where you can find gas in case you need to refuel at any point during your trip. There are several places on the island where you can purchase fuel, including the following accessible locations:
If you plan on taking your own 4WD to K’gari, it’s worth noting that fuel on the island comes with a premium price tag. As such, we’d highly recommend filling up your tank while you’re still on the mainland so you can avoid copping an eye-watering fuel bill later on.
While it’s a good idea to stock up on food for your trip before you reach K’gari, we understand that sometimes, you just can’t avoid a trip to the grocery store. Whether you’ve run out of bread, forgot the milk, or just have a real craving for ice cream, K’gari has a few general stores to help you out when you’re in need.
You can pick up a range of essential items at any of the fuel locations we listed above. As well as fuel, these locations offer various additional goods, such as groceries, snacks, alcohol, ice, camping and fishing equipment, 4WD gear, water, and more.
Sometimes, firing up your camping stove and cooking a hearty meal is the perfect way to unwind and recharge after a long day of adventuring. Other times, you just want someone else to prepare your dinner for you. We get it!
If you’d like to have a night off from the cooking, K’gari has a few restaurants and cafes for you to choose from, including:
As a group of avid off-roaders and seasoned outdoor adventurers, K’gari is by far one of our favourite places for a summer camping trip. We’ve been lucky enough to explore the island many times over the years, and this year, we’ve decided it’s time to give back.
Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing all kinds of first-hand insights and exclusive advice so you can plan the ultimate K’gari getaway. Follow along to discover all our top tips, tricks, and recommendations and allow Custom Offroad to help you plan your next trip to K’gari this summer!