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How Do I Get To Fraser Island?

Updated Mon 03 Feb 2025

A close up photo of a 4wd driving onto a barge

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island, located off the East Coast of Australia. Also called K'gari, it is a popular tourist destination and a year-round favourite for locals and visitors alike. It is not only known for its long sandy beaches but also for its amazing lakes and wild dingo population. It was declared as a World Heritage site in 2002.

A map of Australian cities that are close to Fraser IslandThe East Coast of Australia, Fraser Island Map

If guests are joining a tour or self-driving, they will leave from one of two locations: Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach. Depending on if you are on a tour or self-driving, your trip may include a pickup and locations such as Brisbane or Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, before driving to the ferry terminal. Ask us which pickups are available for you based on your departure city.


Top Ways To Travel To K'gari (Fraser Island)

Tours Departing From Brisbane

Brisbane is located 3.5 hours from Hervey Bay and 2 hours and 45 minutes from Rainbow Beach, while Noosa is about a 1.5 hour drive away from Rainbow Beach and 2.5 hours from Hervey Bay. Guests can also choose to be picked up in Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach, which are closer to the departure locations.

Two women looking at the camera with the sunsetting over a city behind them

You can get to these departure locations one of several ways from Brisbane. Greyhound and Premier bus lines both stop at Sunshine Coast, Rainbow Beach, and Hervey Bay. Alternatively, you can rent a car or van and drive yourself to your desired starting location. Please note, that only 4WD vehicles are permitted on Fraser Island, so you will still need to hire one once you arrive at one of the departure cities. 

Hervey Bay (HVB) and Sunshine Coast (MCY) do have airports, however, Rainbow Beach does not and not all flights fly direct to these locations. If you are coming from the North, your best bet is to take the Greyhound, drive or fly from Cairns (CNS), Townsville (TVS), or Whitsunday Coast (PPP) to Brisbane (BNE) or one of the other airports suggested. The majority of guests choose to take the bus or drive themselves.

Fraser Island is only accessible by ferry or barge, with no bridge to and from the island.


Tours From Hervey Bay

Fraser Island is located about 15 kilometres off the coast of Hervey Bay, making it a popular launching point from which to visit the island. The ferry leaves from River Heads, which is located just outside of Hervey Bay. 

A sign that states "heading to fraser island?"


Here are some of our most popular K'gari day trips!

From Rainbow Beach/Inskip Point

From Rainbow Beach, you will board the barge from Inskip Point, which is about 15 minutes away. You will land on Hook Point on Fraser Island, which is on the Southernmost point of the island, and drive to your destination. The barge itself takes about 10 minutes. 

Colourful stairs in the middle of the rainforest


From Noosa

Noosa is approximately 100km south of Fraser Island, with tours to the island departing from Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach. Guests will have to drive for about an hour and a half before they reach the ferry to the island, enjoying a scenic ride through the Great Sandy National Park. The barge takes about 10 minutes from Inskip Point, where you will begin your Fraser adventure!

A beach full of people and tents and towels


Ready to visit K'gari?! Chat to us or call +61 74914 2425 for more information today! 

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