K'gari at a glance
K'gari lies in Queensland, about 300 km north of Brisbane. It is the traditional home of the Butchulla people. The island has carried its Butchulla name officially since 7 June 2023. Fraser Island is the earlier name, and it is still what many visitors type into a search box, so this guide uses both. The island belongs to K'gari, Great Sandy National Park and has been on the World Heritage List since 1992. UNESCO gives its length as 122 km and calls it the largest sand island in the world.
This guide is independent. It is not run by the park authority, the Butchulla, a council, a ferry line or a tour company. It collects the practical points: where the lakes and beaches are, how the ferries work, what a vehicle permit costs, how to camp and how to behave around dingoes. Prices are in Australian dollars (A$), as published in 2026, and they change. The park pages list no general per-person day ticket for the island. The costs are the vehicle permit, camping, the ferry and any tour you book.
Three ways to visit
The sand tracks decide how you go. Pick the style first, then the details.
On a guided day tour
Buses with 4WD capability leave from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. You need no vehicle of your own. One operator lists adults at A$279, A$299 or A$319 depending on the season in 2026, with ferry, lunch and park fees included.
Tours compared →Driving yourself
You need a high-clearance 4WD with low range, a vehicle access permit and a ferry ticket from River Heads or Inskip Point. The east coast beach is a road with a tide window.
4WD and permits →Staying on the island
A resort on the west coast, a resort on the east coast or a fenced campground. Each one shapes which sights are close.
Where to stay →Our picks: K'gari tours
A day tour from Hervey Bay, a camping trip from Rainbow Beach and a whale watching cruise.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day camping 4WD adventure from Rainbow Beach
Two nights in a fenced beach camp, national park permits, return ferry, fuel, 4WD hire and meals are included. Showers cost A$2 per use, and alcohol is extra.
Check availability →
Full-day 4WD coach tour from Hervey Bay
Return ferry, local guide, buffet lunch and morning tea are included, with stops at Lake McKenzie, Central Station and the Maheno. Permit and park fees are not listed separately.
Check availability →
Four-hour whale watching cruise in Hervey Bay
A seasonal cruise with pick-up from selected stays, tea and coffee, antipasti and an underwater window.
Check availability →K'gari tours and day trips
Day tours from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach, multi-day 4WD trips and more, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the highlights, then open the pages you need.
Things to do on K'gari
Twelve places to start with, from perched lakes to rainforest walks.
Tours compared
Day tours, two-day trips and tag-along convoys, with 2026 price examples.
Lake McKenzie
Access, facilities, the rules at the shore and the busiest hours.
Lake Wabby
The walk to the lake below the sand blow, and what to avoid in the water.
75 Mile Beach
A beach that is also a road: speed limits, tides and Indian Head.
Eli Creek
The boardwalk and the drift down a freshwater creek.
Maheno shipwreck
A hospital ship from the First World War, stranded in 1935.
Champagne Pools
A 700 m boardwalk to the rock pools, and how tides come into it.
Ferries to K'gari
River Heads and Inskip Point: crossing times and 2026 fares.
4WD, permits and rules
Vehicle access permit prices, tyre pressure and hire car rules.
Camping on K'gari
Fees, fenced campgrounds, beach zones and fire rules.
Dingoes
The 20 m rule, the fines and how to keep children safe.
Hervey Bay
Gateway town and whale watching base on the western side.
Rainbow Beach
Coloured sand cliffs and the road to the Inskip Point barge.
Weather by month
Temperature and rainfall for each month from official averages.
Where to stay
Two resorts, campgrounds, or the mainland as your base.
Good to know in 2026
Where older guides and blog posts are out of date.
The name is K'gari
Since 7 June 2023 the island's official name is K'gari. Fraser Island is the old name. You will see both on signs, bookings and maps.
Things to do →Indian Head is closed
The walking track to Indian Head is closed because of heavy erosion, until further notice. The closure notice runs to 18 November 2026. Do not plan a climb.
75 Mile Beach →Keep 3 m from the Maheno
Entering the wreck is not allowed, and neither is going within 3 m of it. The steel is decaying. Park away from the driving lanes and keep children close.
The wreck →Champagne Pools and the tide
There is no general rule that you may swim only at low tide. The park authority describes mid tide for the bubbling effect and low tide for the steep descent to the beach, and says to swim only in safe conditions. The beach drive itself is limited to the low-tide window.
Champagne Pools →Ferry prices differ
A standard vehicle on the River Heads ferry starts at A$135.30 one way. The Inskip Point barge lists A$150 return for a 4WD. The operators publish different fare structures, so compare before you decide.
Ferries →Camping fees from July 2026
A$7.75 per person per night or A$31 per family per night, with children under 5 free. Book and pay before you arrive.
Camping →Wild dingoes, called wongari, live on the island. Stay at least 20 m away, never feed them and keep food locked away. Feeding or disturbing a dingo carries an on-the-spot fine of A$2,763 (16 penalty units, published 2026). Read the dingo page before you go. The park authority also advises against swimming in the ocean: the beaches are unpatrolled, currents are strong, and sharks and marine stingers are present. Fresh water is the safer choice, with its own rules at Lake McKenzie and Lake Wabby.
K'gari: frequently asked questions
Is it K'gari or Fraser Island?
Both refer to the same island. K'gari is the Butchulla name and has been the official name since 7 June 2023. Fraser Island is the earlier name and is still widely used by visitors and in bookings.
Do I need a 4WD to visit?
Not for a guided bus tour. To drive on the island you need a high-clearance 4WD with low range, and all-wheel drive is not recommended. You also need a vehicle access permit before you enter: A$61.80 for up to one month, A$311 for up to one year, as published in 2026. See the 4WD page.
Is there an entrance fee?
The park pages list no general per-person day ticket. You pay for the vehicle access permit if you drive, a ferry ticket, camping if you stay in the park, and any tour. Fees change, so check the current prices at booking.
Can I swim at the beaches?
The park authority advises against ocean swimming. The beaches are unpatrolled, currents are strong, and sharks and marine stingers are present. This is a safety warning, not a ban across the island. Freshwater spots such as Eli Creek and the lakes are the usual choice.
When is the best time to go?
In the official averages for the Sandy Cape station, September is the driest month at 50.6 mm of rain and July the coolest. February is the wettest at 168 mm. No month is guaranteed dry. The weather page has all twelve months.
Is this the official K'gari website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the park authority, the Butchulla, the council, any ferry line or any tour operator. Always check the park authority's alerts for current closures before you travel.