How K'gari tours differ
You have three ways to see the island without owning a 4WD. A guided day trip in a 4WD bus is the simplest. A two-day tour adds a night on the island. A tag-along tour is different: you drive a vehicle yourself in a guided convoy.
The examples below come from single operators and show what one product costs, not a market range. Prices are in Australian dollars and valid for the 2026/27 fare periods. A published price does not show free seats on your date, and some days can be blacked out, so check the date and the meeting point before you book.
Tour types compared
Adult prices in the low season of 2026/27. Each row is one operator's product.
| Tour | Starts from | Included | Adult price (low season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day tour by 4WD bus | Hervey Bay | Return ferry, selected pickup points, morning tea, buffet lunch, national park fees, fuel levy | A$279 |
| Day tour by 4WD bus | Rainbow Beach, via Inskip Point | Selected local transfers, ferry, morning tea, buffet lunch, park fees, fuel levy | A$279 |
| Two-day tour | Hervey Bay | 1 night at a resort, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, ferry, park fees; dinner is extra | A$645 (triple room), A$679 (twin), A$779 (single) |
| Tag-along convoy | – | Guided convoy of guest-driven vehicles, accommodation in a beach house | – |
The low season runs from 13 October to 11 December 2026. The shoulder season runs from 12 to 20 December 2026, and the high season from 21 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.
Our picks: tours compared
Day tours from Hervey Bay and Noosa, and a three-day camping trip.
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 K'gari tour from Noosa
Guide, morning tea, lunch with drinks, return ferry, national park entry and permits are included, plus pick-up and return from Noosa.
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 →K'gari tours from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach
Day trips, overnight tours and more to K'gari, with live prices and availability.
What the main tours cover
Details taken from the operators' own listings for 2026/27.
Day trip from Hervey Bay
A guided 4WD bus takes you to the island by ferry. Adults from 18 years pay A$279 in the low season, A$299 in the shoulder season and A$319 in the high season. Children aged 4 to 17 pay A$199, A$239 or A$279. A family of 2 adults and 2 children pays A$799, A$899 or A$1,049. Treat the family price as a package, not a price per person. GST is included. You do not need your own driving permit on a bus tour.
Hervey Bay guide →Day trip from Rainbow Beach
The day tour runs daily and crosses at Inskip Point. The published seasonal prices and age groups match the Hervey Bay trip. If you arrive on your own, the meeting point is 36 Rainbow Beach Road. Selected local transfers are included. Check the departure time on the booking page for your date.
Rainbow Beach guide →Two-day tour from Hervey Bay
The tour includes 1 night in a standard room without air conditioning at the K'gari Beach Resort. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, the ferry and park fees are included, and dinner is at your own cost. Per person it costs A$645 in a triple room, A$679 in a twin room and A$779 as a single in the low season. Children aged 4 to 17 pay A$459, and a family package costs A$1,999. The route adds stops such as Lake Wabby and the Champagne Pools, depending on weather, tides and access.
Tag-along tour
A tag-along tour is a guided convoy in which guests take turns driving. The overview lists drivers from 21 years with a full or open licence held for at least 2 years. Accommodation is in a beach house, so no tent night is required. Read the full conditions before you book.
4WD guide →Tour or self-drive?
A tour bundles costs that you pay separately when you drive yourself.
| Cost (2026) | Guided tour | Self-drive |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle access permit | Not needed on a bus tour | A$61.80 for up to 1 month |
| Ferry | Included on listed day tours | From A$135.30 one way from River Heads, or A$150 return from Inskip Point for a 4WD |
| Camping | – | A$7.75 per person per night |
| Driving the sand | The guide drives | High-clearance 4WD with low range, tide planning |
A tour suits you if you have no 4WD, little sand experience or a short stay. Self-driving gives you the schedule, but you plan the tides, the permit and the ferry yourself. Fares differ by crossing, so check the current timetable before you go.
Ferry options
Crossings leave from River Heads and Inskip Point. Compare fares and timetables before you choose a tour start.
Ferry guide →Changes to the route
Stops depend on weather, tides and access. In 2026 the Indian Head walking track is closed because of erosion. A tour cannot promise a stop that the park has closed.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pick your start town and your sights.
Things to do on K'gari
Twelve highlights with access and walk times.
Hervey Bay
Start town for day trips and whale watching.
Rainbow Beach
Coloured sands and the Inskip Point crossing.
Ferries
River Heads and Inskip Point fares.
4WD and permits
If you prefer to drive yourself.
Weather by month
Temperatures and rainfall by month.
K'gari tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see K'gari without a 4WD?
A guided day trip in a 4WD bus is the simplest option. The ferry, park fees, morning tea and buffet lunch are included in the listed day tours. An overnight tour gives you more time on the island.
How much does a K'gari day tour cost?
The listed day tours cost A$279 for adults in the low season of 2026/27, A$299 in the shoulder season and A$319 in the high season. Children aged 4 to 17 pay A$199 to A$279 depending on the season.
Where do the tours start?
The listed day tours start from Hervey Bay and from Rainbow Beach. The Rainbow Beach trip crosses at Inskip Point, and self-arrivals meet at 36 Rainbow Beach Road. Pickup points are selected, so confirm yours when you book.
Do I need a permit on a guided tour?
Not for a bus tour. The operator drives and the listed tours include the national park fees, so you do not need your own driving permit.
What is a tag-along tour?
It is a guided convoy in which guests drive the vehicles. The overview lists drivers from 21 years with a full or open licence held for at least 2 years. Check the full conditions with the operator.
Can the route change on the day?
Yes. Weather, tides and track conditions decide which stops are possible, and the park closes some places for repairs. Ask the operator about the current stops before you book.