Fraser Island 4WD trip: permits, tides and safety

A Fraser Island 4WD trip is only legal and safe if you do four things first: buy a vehicle access permit, plan your beach driving around the tide, know the road rules, and book your camping. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles can handle the island's sandy tracks and beaches, and the state environment department warns that driving there can be dangerous. Three people died in accidents on the island in 2009 alone.

This checklist uses the Queensland Government's own guidance as it stands in early May 2010. Fees and rules can shift, so check current details with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service before you travel.

Sources for this section: DERM, Fraser Island home page and Driving on sand.

Permits and barges

You need a vehicle access permit before you drive on Fraser Island. The department says it must be bought before you go and displayed on your windscreen. You can buy it online, or book by phone on 13 13 04, which is open 24 hours. Monthly and annual permits exist, and penalties apply if you enter without one.

The island is about 300 km north of Brisbane and 15 km off the coast from Hervey Bay and Maryborough. Vehicles go across by barge, and there are three main routes.

• Inskip Point to Hook Point: about 10 minutes, usually running from 6 am to 5.30 pm. No bookings are needed.
• River Heads to Kingfisher Bay and Wanggoolba Creek: 30 to 50 minutes, bookings required.
• Urangan boat harbour to Moon Point: 30 to 50 minutes, bookings required.

The island was listed as a World Heritage Area in 1992. It is the world's largest sand island, about 123 km long.

Sources for this section: DERM, Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, getting there and getting around; UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Fraser Island.

Beach driving by the tide

Drive around low tide. The department says to avoid driving for two hours before and after high tide, and often for longer, because some areas are hit harder by tides and onshore winds.

Big high tides can cover the whole beach and leave you no choice but to drive through salt water. The department says your vehicle may sink, overturn or be flooded by the rising tide. Other beach hazards include:

• Deep washouts, which can form at any time, especially after heavy rain and rough seas.
• Buried weed banks on the western beach, which can trap even experienced drivers. Tow trucks are many hours away.
• Creek crossings. Walk the crossing first if it is safe, and never stop midstream.

Some areas are closed to vehicles. Beach driving is not allowed between Wathumba Creek and the Sandy Cape lighthouse, or between Moon Point and Hook Point on the western beach. The department says driving on the western beach is not recommended.

Keep to the harder sand between the waterline and the high tide mark. Never drive on the dunes. The department advises you to lower your tyre pressure on soft sand, stay within the maker's limits, and pump the tyres back up before you speed up on hard sand. Carry a gauge and pump, a shovel, a tow rope or snatch strap, a first-aid kit, water, food and fuel. In remote areas, travel with a second vehicle and tell someone your plans.

Sources for this section: DERM, Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, getting there and getting around; DERM, Fraser Island frequently asked questions; DERM, Driving on sand.

Road rules and speed limits

The beaches and tracks are designated roads, so normal road rules apply. Police patrol the island, and speed checks and breath tests can happen at any time. The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.05.

New rules apply to hire 4WDs. From 1 April 2010, a hire vehicle must carry no more than eight people, and luggage must be secured inside, not on the roof. From 31 December 2010, hire vehicles must have no side-facing seats and must have seatbelts that meet Australian Design Rules. A driver who breaks these rules risks a A$300 fine. These rules apply to hire vehicles only.

Give way to dingoes and other wildlife on the beach. Slow down near walkers, especially around the Maheno wreck, because people cannot always hear a vehicle over the surf.

Sources for this section: DERM, Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, getting there and getting around; Department of Transport and Main Roads, New road rules for Fraser Island.

Camping

Camping permits are required, and fees apply. The department runs formal campgrounds at Central Station, Dundubara and Waddy Point, with smaller ones at Lake Boomanjin, Ungowa and Wathumba. Formal campgrounds have water, toilets and a 9 pm noise curfew, and generators are not allowed in them. Bookings are required at Central Station, Dundubara and Waddy Point, and at all group camping areas.

Beach camping zones on the eastern beach have no facilities. Camp only inside the signposted zones and at least 50 m from watercourses. Generators up to 65 decibels are allowed in informal beach zones between 9 am and 9 pm only.

Open fires are allowed only in the fire rings at Waddy Point and Dundubara, using clean, untreated, milled timber that you bring yourself. Caravans and trailers are hard to tow through soft sand.

Sources for this section: DERM, Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, getting there and getting around; DERM, Fraser Island frequently asked questions.

Dingo safety

The island's dingoes are wild and unpredictable, and they are protected by law. Feeding a dingo or any wildlife is banned, and rangers do check. You can be fined.

• Lock food and rubbish in strong containers. Never hang food, fish or bait from your car, trees or tent.
• Stay with your children at all times. Campers with children up to age 14 are advised to use a fenced campground: Central Station, Dundubara, Waddy Point top campground, Lake Boomanjin or Dilli Village.
• Never go to the rubbish bins alone or at night.
• Report any bad or close encounter to a ranger as soon as you can, or phone (07) 4121 1800.

This is general information, not medical advice. If anyone is hurt, get help straight away. The department warns that tow trucks and help can be many hours away.

Sources for this section: DERM, Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, getting there and getting around; DERM, Fraser Island frequently asked questions.

Sources

1. DERM Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, Getting there and getting around, camping and safety: archived page
2. DERM Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park, home page: archived page
3. DERM Fraser Island frequently asked questions: archived page
4. DERM Driving on sand: archived page
5. Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, New road rules for Fraser Island: archived page
6. UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Fraser Island: archived page