Ferries to K'gari at a glance
K'gari, the island formerly known as Fraser Island, is reached by water. Two routes matter for most visitors. The ferry from River Heads on the mainland crosses to Kingfisher Bay on the island's west side. The barge from Inskip Point, about a 15-minute drive from Rainbow Beach, crosses to Hook Point. The park service also lists a River Heads route to Wanggoolba Creek.
The two main routes suit different plans. Kingfisher Bay lies on the west coast, where the resort is. Hook Point leads onto sand, so it needs a 4WD and the right tide. Fares and hours below are published operator figures for 2026 and can change.
The K'gari ferry routes compared
Standard 4WD fares in 2026, GST included where the operator states it. Check the operator before you book.
| Route | Crossing | Be there | Standard 4WD fare | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Heads to Kingfisher Bay | About 45 minutes | At least 30 minutes before departure | From A$135.30 single, A$270.60 return (vehicle only) | Ticket bought in advance is required |
| Inskip Point to Hook Point | About 10 minutes | At least 15 minutes before the last departure | A$115 single, A$150 return | Booking preferred, cash accepted on board |
| River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek | 30–50 minutes in total | – | – | Booking required |
Our pick: a day tour with the ferry included
Our take: the return ferry, park fees and permits are in the price, so there is no crossing to book separately.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
K'gari tours with the ferry included
Day tours and two-day trips from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach, with live prices and availability.
River Heads to Kingfisher Bay
The western route, listed by the operator with 2026 fares.
Check-in and timetable
The operator lists a crossing of about 45 minutes and asks you to check in at least 30 minutes before departure. A ticket bought in advance is required for vehicles and foot passengers. Mainland reception is at 54 Ariadne Street, River Heads. Very low tides can change departure times.
Published departures
The operator's timetable page names resort guest sailings: from River Heads at 09:00, 13:00 and 15:45, and back from the island at 08:00, 10:15, 14:30 and 17:00. These are listed for resort guests, so use them as a guide and confirm other vehicle sailings when you book. The resort's own page adds a 07:00 vehicle-only departure.
Fares
A standard vehicle up to 5.3 m is listed from A$135.30 single or A$270.60 return, for the vehicle alone. The fare page adds A$7 for each driver or further passenger in the vehicle. Foot passengers pay from A$85 return for adults and A$48 for children aged 4–14, and children aged 0–3 travel free. A trailer up to 5 m including the drawbar is from A$89.40 single or A$178.80 return.
Two pages, two sets of numbers
The resort's travel page lists a crossing of about 50 minutes, check-in 40 minutes before, vehicles from A$123 plus A$5 for each additional person, and foot passengers at A$50 single for adults and A$30 for children. Use the figure shown at checkout as the final one.
Parking on the mainland
If you leave your car at River Heads and travel as a foot passenger, the resort lists secure parking at A$30 for 1 night, A$55 for 2, A$80 for 3, A$105 for 4, A$130 for 5 and A$155 for 6, then A$25 for each further night. Book ahead.
Inskip Point and the Hook Point barge
The barge from Inskip Point is the shortest crossing, about 10 minutes, and the route that starts closest to Rainbow Beach. In 2026 the operator publishes a first departure at 06:00 and a last departure at 16:45, with the last return from the island at 17:00. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the last departure. It runs daily, and weather or tides can change the times.
Prices in the operator's shop include GST: a 4WD is A$115 single or A$150 return. A 4WD with a trailer up to 6 x 4 feet is A$175 single or A$250 return, and a larger trailer is A$195 or A$280. A motorbike is A$50 or A$70. Booking is preferred and the service runs to demand. You can pay in cash on board, but there is no EFTPOS. Foot passengers are carried and pay the deckhand.
The park overview says no bookings are required, while the operator prefers them. Book if your dates matter.
Inskip Point: erosion and tide window
Severe erosion has narrowed the access tracks to the barge landing. The park alert, current from March 2026 to January 2027, describes a collapsed, single-lane approach with oncoming traffic. Drive to Inskip Point only within 2 hours either side of low tide, and only if conditions are safe. Allow extra time for delays. Fishing, swimming and parking are not allowed in the barge approach area.
A near-shore landslip at Inskip was reported on 3 June 2024. It is often called a sinkhole. That event is history, and today's issue is the eroded access. The alert does not close the barge. Look at the park service alerts before you leave.
K'gari ferry: what to plan around
The crossing is only one part of the logistics.
Tides and the beach
After landing at Hook Point you drive on the beach. The park service recommends driving from 2 hours before to 2 hours after low tide and avoiding the 2 hours either side of high tide. Plan your last barge back with that in mind.
4WD rules on K'gari →Permits and camping
A vehicle access permit is separate from the ferry fare, and camping needs its own booking. See the permit prices on the 4WD page and the camping rules before you cross.
Camping on K'gari →Wanggoolba Creek
The park service lists a River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek route with a booking requirement. Ask the operator about current crossings before you build a plan around it.
No vehicle needed
Guided day tours include the ferry, morning tea, a buffet lunch and park fees from published pickup points. If you do not own a 4WD, this is the simplest route.
Tours to K'gari →
K'gari ferry: frequently asked questions
Which ferry is best for K'gari?
It depends on where you start. From the Hervey Bay side, the River Heads ferry lands at Kingfisher Bay. From Rainbow Beach, the Inskip Point barge is the shortest crossing and lands on the beach at Hook Point. Choose by your start point, your vehicle and the tide.
How much does the ferry to Fraser Island cost?
For a standard 4WD in 2026, the Inskip Point barge is A$150 return. The River Heads ferry is listed from A$135.30 single or A$270.60 return for the vehicle, plus A$7 for each driver or further passenger on the fare page. Operator pages differ, so confirm at checkout.
Do I need to book the Inskip Point barge?
The operator prefers bookings and runs to demand. The park overview says none are required. Book if you are travelling in busy periods or have a tight schedule, and carry cash because there is no EFTPOS on board.
When does the last barge leave Inskip Point?
The operator lists 16:45 as the last departure from Inskip Point in 2026 and 17:00 as the last departure from the island. Arrive at least 15 minutes early, and remember that tides and weather can change the times.
Can I take a normal car on the ferry?
The ferry will carry vehicles, but the island's sand tracks and beach need a high-clearance 4WD with low range. Read the vehicle requirements on the 4WD page first.