Fraser Island

The Basics

Fraser Island 4WD tours are the most popular activity option on the island, while a day tour highlights 75 Mile Beach, Lake McKenzie, the Champagne Pools, the Coloured Sands, and Eli Creek. A 2-day Fraser Island tour covers a Cooloola National Park hike, Kingfisher Bay Resort camping excursion, or freshwater lake cruising. A multi-day tour combines Fraser Island tours with nearby attractions such as Rainbow Beach, the Great Sandy National Park, or the Great Barrier Reef.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Fraser Island has soft sandy roads accessible by 4WD only. All vehicles brought to and driven on the island require special permits.

• Bring your swimsuit, towel, and sun protection—most tours offer opportunities to swim or snorkel.

• Only swim in designated areas to avoid dangerous riptides and sharks.

• Fraser Island has limited cellphone and Wi-Fi coverage, except in some hotels and resorts.

How to Get There

Fraser Island is about 160 miles (257 kilometers) or a 3-hour drive along Bruce Highway from Brisbane. Ferry services from River Heads (20 minutes south of Hervey Bay) land at Wanggoolba Creek or the Kingfisher Bay Resort on the island’s central west coast, or from Inskip Point (just north of Rainbow Beach) to Hook Point on the island’s south coast. The closest airport is Hervey Bay, while Brisbane houses the nearest international airport.

When to Get There

Sunny year-round, Fraser Island is busiest and hottest in summer (December to February), which is also its wet season, when rainy spells are common. Winter, with temperatures in the 50s to 70s˚F (10s to 20s˚C), is ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Visit from July to early November for whale-watching tours, July and August for fishing, or the spring and summer months for bird-watching tours.

Outdoors Activities on Fraser Island

Swim and snorkel Fraser Island beaches and enjoy water sports such as Jet Skiing, water skiing, kayaking, and scuba diving. The more adventurous can try skydiving, tubing along Eli Creek, or fishing around Indian Head or the Kingfisher Bay Resort jetty. Hikers can tackle the 56-mile (90-kilometer) Fraser Island Great Walk, trek through Pile Valley Rainforest, or explore Burrum Coast National Park, while wildlife enthusiasts can spot dolphins, dugongs (a marine mammal), and humpback whales on a coast cruise.

What is the best month to go to Fraser Island?

Spring (September–November) is arguably the best time to visit Fraser Island, with warm, dry weather, low humidity, and average temperatures around 73˚F (23˚C)—ideal for beach days and outdoor activities. Spring is also a great time for bird-watching and whale-watching tours, plus you’ll avoid the summer crowds.

How many days do you need on Fraser Island?

On a day tour from Hervey Bay, you can take in Fraser Island highlights such as Lake McKenzie, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, and the Pinnacles. However, a 2- or 3-day tour means exploring further, camping by the beach or jungle, and experiencing the island’s incredible sunsets.

Why can't you swim off Fraser Island?

Fraser Island is known for its beautiful beaches, but powerful rip tides and large numbers of sharks make it too dangerous to swim in the sea. However, you can still swim in the island’s lakes and beaches and at the Champagne Pools, natural rockpools along the northeast coast.

Have crocodiles been found on Fraser Island?

Yes, but it’s unsure how many. Although there aren’t any resident saltwater crocodiles on Fraser Island, there have been occasional croc sightings around the coast. Crocodile sightings have mostly been reported along the western coast of Fraser Island, and although most sightings remain unverified, it’s best to be cautious!

Are there many snakes on Fraser Island?

Yes, 18 snake species live on Fraser Island, including non-venomous green tree snakes and pythons, and the deadly taipan, death adder, and eastern brown snake. However, snake sightings are not common, and snakes will rarely attack unprovoked, so just stay at a safe distance.

What do you see on a tour of Fraser Island?

Tours of Fraser Island typically involve a 4WD road trip along the world’s largest sand island. As well as driving the spectacular sand highway of Seventy-Five Mile Beach, tours often include wildlife-watching in the jungle, a swim at the Champagne Pools or Lake McKenzie, or cruising Eli Creek.