The beach is a road
75 Mile Beach runs along the east coast of K'gari, formerly Fraser Island. It is not an ordinary swimming beach. It works as a public road, so Queensland road rules apply, pedestrians share it with vehicles, and aircraft use marked landing areas.
Most of the island's best-known stops lie on or beside this sand: Eli Creek, the Maheno wreck and the Champagne Pools. You reach them with a high-clearance 4WD with low range, or on a guided tour. Whichever way you travel, the tide sets the schedule.
Tides and driving rules on 75 Mile Beach
These limits come from the park service and apply unless a sign says otherwise.
| Situation | Limit or advice |
|---|---|
| Open beach | 80 km/h |
| Pedestrian areas on the beach | 40 km/h |
| Inland tracks | 30 km/h |
| Hook Point Inland Road | 50 km/h |
| Best time to drive | From 2 hours before to 2 hours after low tide |
| Times to avoid | The 2 hours either side of high tide, and night driving |
These are upper limits, not a safe speed for every condition. Surf, weather and local closures can make even the low tide window impassable. Check a tide table for the day and plan your return before you set out.
Our picks: tours along 75 Mile Beach
Guided 4WD coach tours that drive the beach, with the ferry included.
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.
2-day 4WD coach tour with resort stay from Hervey Bay
Return ferry, national park fees and permits, a night at a beach resort, breakfast and two lunches are included, with stops at Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, the Maheno and 75 Mile Beach. Secure mainland parking costs extra.
Check availability →
Full-day 4WD coach tour from Rainbow Beach
Return ferry, guide, buffet lunch and morning tea are included, with stops at Lake McKenzie, the rainforest, the Maheno and 75 Mile Beach. Permit and park fees are not listed separately.
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 →Tours along 75 Mile Beach
Guided 4WD trips that drive the east coast beach, with live prices and availability.
What you pass along the sand
Three stops that most visitors plan around.
Eli Creek
A freshwater creek with a 400 m return boardwalk. It lies about 26 km north of Eurong and 15.4 km south of Dundubara. You walk to the entry point and drift downstream. Stay out of the area below the sand cliffs, where overhangs can collapse without warning.
Eli Creek guide →Maheno wreck
The ship ran aground on the east coast in 1935. Stay at least 3 m away from it. The beach around the wreck is a pedestrian zone with a 40 km/h limit, so park outside the driving lanes and keep children close.
Maheno guide →Champagne Pools
Rock pools about 21.2 km north of Dundubara, reached on a 700 m return boardwalk. The scenic drive there is open only within 2 hours either side of low tide. The pools fizz best at mid tide, and the steps down to the beach are for low tide.
Champagne Pools guide →Indian Head (Tukkee Wurroo)
Indian Head is the headland on the east coast that many visitors expect to climb. The walking track is closed because of severe erosion, and the alert runs to 18 November 2026. There is no promised reopening date, so do not plan a climb.
If you drive past, stay on the beach and obey signs. Do not walk up the slope. Check the current park alert before you rely on it, because an alert end date is not a reopening date.
Preparing your vehicle
Sand driving asks more of a car than a gravel road does.
The right vehicle
Sand tracks need high ground clearance and a 4WD with low range. The park service does not recommend all-wheel drive. The vehicle needs a valid registration, and you need a valid driving licence.
Tyre pressure
The park service suggests lowering tyre pressure within the manufacturer's limits. Braking can change, so drive more slowly. One ferry operator suggests 18 psi, but that is a recommendation, not a legal value, so follow your vehicle maker or hire company.
Hire vehicles
Hire companies set their own age and deposit rules. One hire company, for example, asks the renter to be at least 25 and holds a deposit of A$2,500 for groups aged 25 and over. Read the hire terms before you book.
4WD guide →Swimming, dingoes and camping on the beach
Safety comes before the view.
Ocean swimming
The park service advises against swimming in the ocean here. The beaches are unpatrolled, currents are strong, and sharks and marine stingers are present. This is an official safety warning rather than a legal ban. Use the freshwater lakes and creeks for swimming.
Dingoes
Dingoes patrol the beach. Keep at least 20 m away, never feed or disturb them, and keep children within arm's reach. Feeding or disturbing a dingo carries an on-the-spot fine of A$2,763 in 2026. From 1 September to 30 November 2026 young dingoes are out on beaches and tracks, so drive slowly.
Dingo safety →Beach camping
The park service lists beach camping zones 1 to 9. You book before you arrive. Zone 9 (Diray and Carree) is closed from 20 June 2025 to 29 January 2027 because of erosion and fallen trees. New bookings for Waddy Beach Front are restricted from 14 August to 15 December 2026.
Camping guide →Permits and the crossing
You need a vehicle access permit before you enter the island. Ferries run from River Heads and from Inskip Point, and number plates are monitored, so entering without a valid permit can lead to a fine for the registered owner.
Ferry guide →Plan the rest of your trip
Sights, vehicle rules and the season.
75 Mile Beach: frequently asked questions
Can you drive on 75 Mile Beach?
Yes, with a suitable 4WD and a vehicle access permit. Queensland road rules apply and the usual limit is 80 km/h. Use the beach within 2 hours either side of low tide.
What is the best time to drive the beach?
From 2 hours before to 2 hours after low tide. Avoid the 2 hours either side of high tide and avoid driving at night. Surf and local closures can still block the beach.
Can you swim at 75 Mile Beach?
The park service advises against ocean swimming. The beaches are unpatrolled, currents are strong, and sharks and marine stingers are present.
Can you climb Indian Head?
No. The track is closed because of severe erosion, and the alert runs to 18 November 2026.
Is the beach safe for children?
Keep children close. Vehicles use the sand, pedestrian zones have a 40 km/h limit, and dingoes patrol the beach. Children must stay within arm's reach of an adult.