Getting to K'gari (Fraser Island) from Hervey Bay

Updated Wed 17 Jan 2024

As the largest sand island in the world, K'gari (Fraser Island) is a top travel destination in Australia. There are three main departure points for a trip to this magical island: Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach, and Noosa. This article will focus on getting to K'gari (Fraser Island) from Hervey Bay, a charming Queensland town that is also worth a spot on any traveler's bucket list!

Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is a town located on the coast of southeast Queensland, and it's one of the main launch points for K'gari (Fraser Island). In addition to its proximity to the world's largest sand island, Hervey Bay is also famous for whale watching, fishing, skydiving, and sightseeing. The quaint town is often a popular stop-off point when touring the east coast of Australia, often before or after spending time on the famous K'gari (Fraser Island).

Click here for our list of tours from Hervey Bay to K'gari (Fraser Island)!

Things To Do In Hervey Bay

But not to worry - there is plenty to do while enjoying time in Hervey Bay, aside from waiting to go to K'gari (Fraser Island)! Much more than just a pit-stop on a road trip, it is a popular holiday destination, especially in whale season. There are restaurants, shops, car rentals, and plenty of accommodation types while staying in town, not to mention the expanse of whale-spotting opportunities! Hervey Bay also has beautiful beaches that are ideal for relaxing, plenty of picturesque walks, a botanical garden, and many markets to keep you busy during your time in Hervey Bay.

whale watching

Distance From Hervey Bay To K'gari

Hervey Bay is located 3.5 hours drive north of Brisbane and is accessible via several airlines which fly to the Fraser Coast. The accessibility of Hervey Bay makes it an easy escape if you're spending time in larger city centres or other parts of Australia and want to explore the Whale Capital of Australia.

But visiting K'gari is the main draw to Hervey Bay, as it's only a 50-minute ferry ride from River Heads to K'gari. The ferry terminal is just 20 minutes south of the town and drops you off in the center of K'gari's west coast. From there it's only a short drive to top attractions like Lake McKenzie and Central Station. If you're planning on self-driving on K'gari, make sure your 4WD vehicle is adequately equipped for the terrain. Otherwise, we recommend leaving it in Hervey Bay and hiring a vehicle for your K'gari trip.

K'gari (Fraser Island) Tours From Hervey Bay

If you don't have your own vehicle and don't feel like hiring one, there are still plenty of tour options for you to visit K'gari. Many guided tours depart from Hervey Bay to K'gari, with many guests opting for a morning pick-up from their accommodation in town. This is a great option if you don't have your own vehicle or do not wish to drive on a tour that will still allow you to have the full island experience! It also offers the opportunity to meet new people and enjoy the beauty of K'gari with others, which is an added bonus to an already amazing adventure.