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Driving off-road round Okay’gari (Fraser Island) is likely one of the most enjoyable adventures we had in Queensland, Australia.
We cruised on lengthy seashores and bumped down sandy forest tracks, swam in a turquoise lake and floated in a crystal clear creek, hiked down sand dunes and thru rainforest, and noticed the enduring dingo.
Okay’gari is a particular place—it’s the world’s largest sand island (122km lengthy) and is UNESCO World Heritage-listed for its distinctive landscapes.
It’s the one location on Earth the place subtropical rainforests develop totally on sand, and it’s residence to half the world’s perched freshwater lakes, which kind on sand dunes.
Many individuals go to Okay’gari on a tour (driving here’s a problem), however we actually loved the liberty to discover on our personal.
Here are our prime picks for one of the best issues to do in Okay’gari (Fraser Island) plus the two evening/3 day itinerary we adopted.
You’ll discover a map with all these Okay’gari should see locations close to the top of the submit.
Contents
A Few Things to Know About Okay’gari
- The Butchulla individuals are the standard house owners of Okay’gari.
- In 2023, its identify was formally modified from Fraser Island to its aboriginal identify, Okay’gari (the Okay is silent), which suggests paradise.
- You can solely drive on the island with a 4WD and it’s worthwhile to organize a allow earlier than you arrive.
- As the principle “highway” is a seashore, the tides have an effect on the time you’ll be able to go to many locations. You can’t drive on the seashore for two.5 hours on both aspect of excessive tide. Check tide tables right here.
- The two gateways to the island are Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay (3-4 hours north of Brisbane and 1.5-2.5 hours north of Noosa).
- Okay’gari is residence to dingoes (wongari), Australia’s solely wild canine. Do not feed or method them.
- Cell sign could be very restricted on the island.
Best Things to Do in Okay’gari (Fraser Island)
1) Drive a 4WD Off-Road
For an journey, drive your self on Okay’gari. A 4WD is crucial as there are not any paved roads. Instead, driving takes place on lengthy seashores and sandy tracks by means of the forest.
It is doable for assured drivers who haven’t pushed off-road earlier than. We managed to not get caught in sand, however it could occur (we employed Maxtrax simply in case).
We rented from Rainbow Beach Adventure Centre 4WD Hire who had been actually useful. They gave us driving suggestions, organized our ferry ticket and driving allow, and helped plan our itinerary.
Their recommendation was important as we realized that the tracks to 2 of the lakes we needed to go to (Lake Boomanjin and Lake Birrabeen) had been a multitude (the remainder had been dangerous sufficient so we didn’t wish to deal with even worse).
They even allow us to do the paperwork the afternoon earlier than our rental began so we may get an early begin. (We stayed the evening earlier than at Debbie’s Place in Rainbow Beach, which was splendid).
As they’re based mostly in Rainbow Beach, we took the Manta Ray Barge from Inskip (quarter-hour from the workplace) to Hook Point on the southern finish of the island.
The various (for those who lease a 4WD in Hervey Bay) is taking the Sealink automobile ferry from River Heads to Kingfisher Bay Resort or Wanggoolba Creek on the east aspect of the island.
We most well-liked the barge choice because the journey is shorter (simply 10 minutes) and so they run roughly each half-hour between 6am and 5pm, so that you don’t should ebook a particular ferry time as you do with the opposite route.
Once on the island, driving on the seashore is the better, smoother choice (with a velocity restrict of 80 km/hr).
The inland tracks are extremely bumpy with a velocity restrict of 30 km/hr (and we hardly ever received to that). Taking journey illness medication was important for me.
They really feel like an actual journey, although, and also you gained’t wish to miss the gorgeous rainforest and lakes within the centre of the island.
2) Stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort
Camping is the traditional technique to expertise Okay’gari, but when that’s not your factor (like us), there are a few comfy inns and vacation leases.
We stayed at Kingfisher Bay Resort on the west coast of the island and cherished it.
Okay’gari Beach Resort in Eurong on 75 Mile Beach would have been extra handy (no bumpy inland driving to get to the east coast), however Kingfisher has a extra stunning forest setting, higher facilities (4 swimming pools and varied bars and eating places), and is situated on a calmer, swimmable seashore (you’ll be able to’t swim on the east coast).
Best of all, the sundown views on this aspect of the island are wonderful, and the resort has a Sunset Bar proper on the sand subsequent to the jetty. It’s the right technique to finish the day on Okay’gari.
Dune is one of the best restaurant on the resort with tasty Asian fusion delicacies (bookings are important). The Sand Bar is a extra informal spot with pub grub and Sand & Wood overlooks the pool (breakfast and lunch solely).
Even for those who don’t wish to drive your self on Okay’gari, a keep at Kingfisher Bay is likely one of the finest methods to expertise the island in consolation.
You can take a passenger ferry direct to the resort from Hervey Bay, calm down in a phenomenal setting, and take one of many resort excursions to see extra of the island.
Check availability for Kingfisher Bay Resort right here.
3) Swim within the Turquoise Waters at Lake Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie)
Lake Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) is likely one of the hottest spots on the island and for good cause—it’s completely beautiful.
The white sand and turquoise water appear to be they need to be on a Caribbean Island, however that is one among Okay’gari’s distinctive perched sand lakes which can be crammed totally with rainwater.
Swimming within the crystal clear water was a Okay’gari spotlight for me regardless of it being a bit of chilly on our winter go to.
The lake is within the centre of the island accessed down a type of bumpy inland tracks.
The bathrooms subsequent to the automobile park have altering areas so get into your swimwear there. It’s a 100-metre stroll all the way down to the seashore.
You aren’t allowed to take meals or drinks (besides water) all the way down to the lake shore as they entice dingoes. We had lunch within the fenced-off picnic space subsequent to the automobile park as a substitute.
We received fortunate on our noon go to and missed the tour teams. It can get busy, however the seashore is an efficient measurement (the left aspect is quieter) and also you’ll wish to calm down on this stunning spot for some time.
Lake Birrabeen is a quieter various, however the street there was very tough on our journey so we skipped it.
4) Drive Down 75 Mile Beach
Driving a 4WD on the sandy 75 Mile Beach on the east coast is likely one of the finest issues to do on Okay’gari.
It’s the most well-liked driving route because it’s smoother than the inland tracks and takes you to prime points of interest like Eli Creek and Champagne Pools (extra on these beneath).
It feels unusual driving on sand at first however you do get used to it. Just keep away from the shiny sand so that you don’t get splashed by the surf (rental firms will change if there’s salt water within the engine).
Some elements of the seashore are more difficult the place the sand is deeper (the trick right here is to maintain momentum) or you must detour off the seashore round some rocks.
You’ll additionally cross by means of many shallow creeks—go very slowly (strolling tempo).
Most of the seashore is wild and empty with varied tenting areas (most with no services). Beach fishing is in style however swimming isn’t allowed attributable to rips and sharks.
You can cease wherever you want however park above the excessive tide mark at 90 levels to the ocean so it’s apparent you might be stationary.
Small planes even land on the seashore so maintain an eye fixed out when passing by means of the marked touchdown areas (we did see one take off!).
5) Look Out For Wongari (Dingoes)
Dingoes (wongari) are wild canines that will appear to be rangier pets, however they are often harmful (largely as a result of people feed them and encourage them to method).
If you do get fortunate and see a dingo, maintain your distance, don’t feed them, and don’t run (in the event that they method, preserve eye contact and again slowly away).
We noticed dingoes on three events whereas driving on 75 Mile Beach (we didn’t get out of the automobile) and it was very thrilling to see these traditional Australian animals.
Read extra about being dingo secure.
6) Enjoy the Coastal Views at Champagne Pools
Champagne Pools is the furthest north that rental firms let you go on 75 Mile Beach.
It’s a protracted drive up right here (about 2.5 hours from Kingfisher Bay), nevertheless it’s nicely value it because the coast turns into extra dramatic.
You’ll must plan the timing of the drive fastidiously to be sure to get again down and off the seashore earlier than excessive tide.
Champagne Pools is the one secure saltwater swimming spot on the east coast of the island, however I loved it extra for the unbelievable coastal views on the quick stroll there over Middle Rocks.
We parked on the Southern automobile park the place there are bathrooms with altering areas for those who plan to swim.
Then it’s a 10-minute stroll on a boardwalk across the headland with unbelievable views again to 75 Mile Beach and Tukkee Wurroo (Indian Head), a rocky headland brought on by volcanic exercise 30 million years in the past (word you’ll be able to now not climb it attributable to extreme erosion).
After strolling down the steps you’ll attain the Champagne Pools, which received their identify from the effervescent water after the waves crash over the rocks into the swimming pools.
The swimming pools are fairly small so it’s extra of a wading spot, nevertheless it’s good if it’s scorching. (On a cool morning we saved our swim for Eli Creek).
Again, we received fortunate and had been simply forward of the tour teams—heaps arrived as we had been leaving at 9.45am (tour occasions differ with the tides although).
7) Float Down Eli Creek
Eli Creek is one other in style spot on 75 Mile Beach that you simply gained’t wish to miss. Tubing down this clear, freshwater creek is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do on Okay’gari.
From the parking space you’ll must wade by means of the creek so don’t trouble with footwear. You can then comply with the boardwalk subsequent to the creek (possibly a 5-minute stroll) earlier than entering into the water on the different finish to comply with the present again down.
Our 4WD rental firm supplied a tube, however for those who don’t have one, you possibly can float or stroll by means of the creek, which is about knee-deep. It’s value entering into the water because it’s a very fairly journey.
There are bathrooms with altering areas, however they’re fairly removed from the beginning of the boardwalk.
There’s no picnic space at Eli Creek and dingoes are frequent, so watch out when consuming (don’t eat on the bottom).
8) Walk Down a Sand Blow to Lake Wabby
Lake Wabby is one other distinctive, beautiful place to go to on Okay’gari.
Like Lake McKenzie, it’s a perched lake, however that is the deepest on the island, and the water is an excellent olive inexperienced color.
You should stroll to the lake nevertheless it’s nicely value it. The begin of the observe is simply north of Eurong on 75 Mile Beach. There’s an indication and bathrooms a bit of manner down the path.
The 5km return stroll took us 1 hour and 10 minutes (plus a break on the lake) with a 138m elevation achieve. There are some small ascents, nevertheless it isn’t too difficult.
Most of the stroll is thru the forest earlier than you emerge on the golden sand of the large Hammerstone sand blow with ocean views.
Head down the dune (operating is unfortunately not allowed) to achieve the attractive lake. I had severe regrets about not bringing swim gear—don’t make my mistake and plan to calm down on this peaceable spot for some time (once more, picnics should not allowed attributable to dingoes).
9) See the Maheno Shipwreck
In 1935, the Maheno steamer was shipwrecked and deserted on 75 Mile Beach and it has remained there ever since.
Located 5 minutes north of Eli Creek, this can be a Okay’gari must-see, though it’s only a fast cease to see the rusty, barnacled stays.
Its decay was accelerated when it was used as goal observe throughout WWII.
There are not any services.
10) Admire the Colours at The Pinnacles
Five minutes north of the Maheno Shipwreck is one other fast cease (no services).
The Pinnacles, also called the colored sands, are a set of sand dunes which have been sculpted by wind and water into rifts and crumbling spires.
Supposedly there are 74 completely different colored sands within the craggy dune in variations of pink, brown, and yellow.
11) Hike Through the Rainforest at Central Station
Central Station is within the centre of the island and is one of the best place for a forest stroll.
There are plenty of choices, however the best is the 0.7km Wanggoolba Creek circuit on a boardwalk subsequent to a crystal-clear freshwater creek.
If you need one thing longer, the 5.6km/1.5-hour return hike to Basin Lake is meant to be pretty and also you’ll doubtless have the lake to your self.
There are picnic tables and bathrooms on the Central Station day-use space and there’s a campsite close by.
Our Okay’gari Self Drive Itinerary
This was our 2-night/3-day Okay’gari itinerary that covers the entire Okay’gari actions above.
The order and occasions you’ll be capable to go to locations will rely upon the tides, although. When we visited low tide was round 8am – 10am.
Day 1
- 8.15am Leave Rainbow Beach (we did the paperwork for our 4WD rental the afternoon earlier than)
- 9.15am Arrive at Hook Point, Okay’gari after getting the barge
- 10.30am – 11.40am Central Station stroll
- 12.10pm – 1.30pm Lake McKenzie picnic and swim
- 2.15pm Check in at Kingfisher Bay Resort
- Explore grounds, Sunset Bar, dinner at Dune
Day 2
I’m glad we received an early begin as we had been about an hour forward of the excursions. Everyone follows an analogous route as a result of limitations of the tides.
- 6.40am Leave Kingfisher Bay
- 7.30am Arrive on 75 Mile Beach Beach and drive north (we handed Eli Creek at 8.05am however didn’t cease as we needed to verify we had sufficient time later)
- 8.10am – 8.30am Maheno Shipwreck
- 8.35am – 8.40am The Pinnacles
- 9.15am – 9.50am Champagne Pools
- 10.40am – 12.10pm Eli Creek tube float and picnic
- 1.30pm Back at Kingfisher Bay
- Relax, Sunset Bar, dinner at The Sand Bar
Day 3
- 9am Leave Kingfisher Bay
- 10am – 12pm Lake Wabby hike
- 12.45pm Arrive at barge touchdown at Hook Point
- 1.25pm Get off barge at Inskip Point
- 1.40pm – 3pm Rainbow Beach (refuel, vacuum automobile, get the surface washed, return 4WD)
Map of Things to Do in Okay’gari
Is Okay’gari Worth Visiting?
Okay’gari is unquestionably value visiting. This particular island was one among our favorite locations in Queensland.
We cherished the journey of off-road 4WD driving (regardless of the nausea-inducing forest tracks) and the pure landscapes are really beautiful from numerous forests to vibrant lakes and wild seashores. Seeing a dingo is enjoyable too!
Whether you resolve to drive your self or take a tour, we extremely suggest a go to to Okay’gari.
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