Can You Walk On The Ferry At K'gari (Fraser Island)?
You can walk onto the K'gari (Fraser Island) ferry and explore the island on foot! However, having a 4WD is essential for getting to your trailheads and getting to all the hotspots on K'gari. You also have options for guided walking tours and hiring a 4WD which you can pick up on the island.
Here is a complete guide to visiting K'gari (Fraser Island) on foot, including ferry information and ways to experience K'gari through epic walks!
Can You Visit K'gari (Fraser Island) On Foot?
You can visit K'gari on foot, whether you're hoping to take on some incredible walking trails or hang out at the easily accessible Kingfisher Bay Resort. It's very easy to get to K'gari (Fraser Island) on foot via the ferries from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. Once you arrive on K'gari, you can explore on foot but you'll have an easier time if you supplement your walks with some 4WD transport.
Check out these K'gari walking tours and 4WD hire options!
Can You Walk On The Ferry At K'gari (Fraser Island)?
Getting to K'gari (Fraser Island) by walking on the ferry is very straightforward. Whether you're coming from Inskip Point in Rainbow Beach or River Heads in Hervey Bay, both options have walk-on passenger tickets. Here is a quick rundown of how to get to K'gari on foot via the different ferry options from the mainland.
Mantaray Barge from Inskip Point, Rainbow Beach
The Mantaray Barge departs from Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach. This ferry ride is only 10 minutes and it brings passengers to Hook Point, the southernmost tip of K'gari. Trips run daily from 6am to 5pm, with barge departures every 30 minutes.
To walk on the Mantaray Barge, just head to the Inskip Point Ferry at the end of Inskip Point Road and pay the deckhand as you walk on. These ferries are so frequent and walk-on tickets rarely sell out, so you don't even need to book your ferry in advance.
Fraser Venture Barge from River Heads, Hervey Bay
The Fraser Venture Ferry run by Sealink departs from River Heads near Hervey Bay. This ferry ride is about 30 minutes and brings you to Wanggoolba Creek on the western side of K'gari. From the ferry landing, you can head directly east and pass by attractions like Lake McKenzie, Central Station, and K'gari Beach Resort on 75 Mile Beach.
To book a walk-on ticket for the Fraser Venture Ferry to Wanggoolba Creek, you have to call the reservations team at 1 800 372 737. You can't book these tickets online!
Kingfisher Bay Resort Barge from River Heads, Hervey Bay
Also departing from River Heads near Hervey Bay, the Kingfisher Bay Resort Barge takes passengers directly to the resort on K'gari. The ferry ride is around 45 minutes and runs from 7am to 5:15pm.
For walk-on ferry tickets, you will also have to book these over the phone at 1 800 372 737. If you're a guest at Kingfisher Bay Resort, you can also organise your ferry tickets with your booking and enjoy pick-up right at the ferry terminal to the resort reception.
Exploring K'gari (Fraser Island) On Foot
Though you can explore K'gari (Fraser Island) on foot, having a 4WD or at least a guided tour that includes transport is recommended. K'gari is a huge island (1,840 km² to be exact), and there is no public transport on the island so it's challenging to explore solely on foot. However, there are some amazing walking trails and things to do on K'gari without a car. You can absolutely explore parts of the island without any transport, but you'll want to combine some 4WD transport with your walking activities so you can see more.
Kingfisher Bay Resort
If you catch the Kingfisher Bay Ferry from River Heads in Hervey Bay, you'll arrive right outside Kingfisher Bay Resort on K'gari. You can just disembark the ferry and walk 5 minutes up to the resort, where you'll have plenty of amenities at your fingertips. The resort itself is a gorgeous place to hang out, with lots of activities, eateries, and places to relax. You can also book tours and excursions around the island from here.
So a trip to Kingfisher Bay Resort on K'gari (Fraser Island) doesn't require any transport at all!
K'gari walking tours
If you're hoping to see highlights of K'gari (Fraser Island) on foot, a guided walking tour is definitely the best option. There are lots of incredible walking trails that wind through the island's forests, passing ancient trees and pristine lakes along the way.
A guided K'gari Walking Tour includes your 4WD transport to and from the ferry landing to the trailheads. That way you can conserve all your energy for the trails themselves. Many walking tours are also pack-free, meaning your guides will transport all the camping and cooking gear as well as your luggage from campsite to campsite. This gives you a much more enjoyable walking experience on K'gari!
K'gari walks without a guide
You can still take on some of K'gari's walking tracks if you don't have a 4WD! For example, the K'gari Great Walk is one of the most popular treks on the island. But you'll want to take the K'gari Taxi Service to and from the trailhead at Dilli Village. Otherwise you'll be walking for 6 hours from the ferry drop-off to the trailhead, and likely be too exhausted to even enjoy the trail!
Just remember that K'gari is huge, so it's pretty unrealistic to try and see the highlights without any car at all. For example, if you arrive at the Fraser Venture ferry landing, it's a 2.5-hour walk to Lake McKenzie. It's also a 2.5-hour walk from Lake McKenzie to K'gari Beach Resort on 75 Mile Beach. So don't underestimate the distances between attractions on the island, and remember that K'gari is best explored with a 4WD.
Hire a 4WD on K'gari
Having a 4WD is by far the most enjoyable way to explore K'gari. Even if you want to do some amazing day hikes, it's so helpful to be able to drive from place to place on the island. You'll save so much time, and be able to see more of the island's raw, rugged beauty.
There are plenty of 4WD hire options on the mainland. But if you're still set on walking onto the ferry to K'gari, you can also pick up your 4WD on the island! Aussie Trax lets you walk onto the ferry and grab your 4WD at Kingfisher Bay Resort. Then you can explore at your own pace for the day, return the car in the afternoon, and hop back on the ferry to the mainland.
