Fraser Island camping and 4WD secrets

The ever-shifting sands of Fraser Island are a traveller’s dream. A chance to get away from the world, sleep under the stars, and spend a few days finding your inner Attenborough.

It may be one of Queensland’s more popular destinations, but know the right place to escape to and you’ll leave the crowds far behind for a real island escape.

Remember, some of the campsites are pretty remote, so take a few extra supplies (water and food) and read over these Fraser Island tips and you’ll being saying hello to my nirvana – beach camping in no time!

TOP ‘NOT-SO-SECRET’ SPOTS

Cathedrals Camp – This is a privately-run site located 10 minutes north of the Maheno Wreckon the eastern side of the island. A newly-installed dingo fence will ease your worries on a night-time toilet trip.

Facilities: Showers, toilets, shop and even a restaurant on site.

Ocean Lake – Watch the sunrise out of the ocean and set into the lake at this campsite just north of Indian Heads. It’s one of the best place for native bird watching on the island.

Facilities: Toilets and picnic tables, the rest is up to you.

Sandy Cape – Located at the far northern tip of the island, they’re as remote as you’ll find. Aim for Carree and Diray camp zones.

Facilities: Toilets and eating areas, so take everything else you might need.

FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS CAMPER

Woralie Creek – Cut across the island just north of the Maheno Wreck and arrive on the western side, home of epic sunsets. Turn north and explore 20 kilometres of beachside camping. Find a flat spot, back into it and make sure you’re well above the high-tide line!

Facilities: 100% self-sufficiency required. Take all water and food with you.

Wyuna Creek (just north of Dunduburra) – This spot is a fisherman’s dream, offering up beachside camp sites that are so close, you can almost cast into the ocean from your front porch.

Facilities: No facilities here unless you drive back to Dunduburra camp.

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO 4WD ON FRASER

Driving a 4WD on sand roads needn’t be daunting. If you’ve driven a car on grass before, then you’ll be ok; it just takes a little more concentration and momentum. Follow these tips and keep your wits about you:

• Increasing the footprint of your tyres increases the grip available to you. Drop your tyre pressures to 20psi, ideally before you get on the barge.
• Engage 4WD and/or diff locks as you’ll need grip immediately on leaving the Rainbow Beach barge at Inskip Point.
• With low tyre pressure your vehicle’s performance will be affected, don’t swerve or brake sharply or you could easily roll!
• Don’t overload your roof-rack, the higher centre of gravity could tip your vehicle if you have to swerve sharply.
• Momentum is everything when driving on soft sand. Give way to vehicles coming up hill on the soft stuff.
• Don’t brake heavily, instead allow the vehicle to come to a stop by itself, it’ll be easier to get going again without huge piles of sand in front of each tyre.
• When driving on the beach observe normal road rules, stay on the left, and use your indicators to show the side you’ll pass on.
• Travel at low tide or a couple of hours either side. Stay on the harder sand and don’t drive through salt water if possible – you may get stuck!
• Carry a shovel, sand mats and/or a tow rope to help get you out of trouble.
• Make sure you know the safety procedures for using a snatch strap or winch – they can be lethal if used incorrectly.
• Re-inflate your tyres as soon as you’re back on tarmac or sealed roads. There are inflation points at Kingfisher Bay and Rainbow Beach.

PERMITS

Don’t forget, if you’re driving on Fraser Island you’ll need the right  permits to do so – it is a World Heritage Site after all!

Get your Vehicle Access Permit on the NPRSR website. If you’re not in a registered campsite then you’ll need to grab a camping permit from them too.

BEST WAYS TO GET THERE?

Drive yourself

Take your own 4WD or if you’re in need of some wheels,  Aussie Trax 4WD will supply everything you need from camping gear to permits. Catch the barge across from Rainbow Beach or River Heads.

BE CHAUFFEURED

A day of luxury in a Hummer with someone else driving as your guide – sound like your cup of tea? Fraser Experience Tours kick off with an early start but offer an awesome day out, finished off with champagne and strawberries!

Have you been to Fraser Island before? Where are your favourite ‘secret spots’ (that you don’t mind sharing)? Have you been to Fraser Island before?

*Photography: Ben Southall (feature shot and camping), Kate Duffy (Maheno Wreck), Cody Doucette for Matador Network (4WD on beach)