K'gari is the world's largest sand island: 123 km of dunes, rainforest, perched lakes and a beach that doubles as a highway. It is Butchulla Country and home to wild wongari (dingoes). Here is how to get there, which permits you need, how to drive the sand and what to see.
Why was Fraser Island renamed K'gari?
Fraser Island was renamed to restore its traditional name. K'gari became the official name on 7 June 2023, after a Queensland Government process that began in 2021 and a public consultation in 2022 with councils, Traditional Owners and the public.
K'gari (said "GUR-rie") is the Butchulla people's name for the island. The Queensland Government says it comes from a Butchulla creation story about how the island and the surrounding lands were formed. The old name honoured Captain James Fraser of the Stirling Castle, wrecked on Swain Reefs in 1836.
The national park section was renamed K'gari (Fraser Island) in 2017 and the World Heritage Area in 2022. You will still see "Fraser" on older maps and signs. Our guide to visiting Australia respectfully explains why place names matter.
How do you get to K'gari?
Most visitors cross by vehicle barge, from Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach or from River Heads near Hervey Bay. K'gari lies about 15 km off Hervey Bay and about 300 km north of Brisbane, in Queensland.
- Inskip Point to Hook Point: barges run continuously in daylight, generally 6am to 5:30pm. The crossing takes about 10 minutes and needs no booking. Inskip is about 15 minutes' drive from Rainbow Beach.
- River Heads to Kingfisher Bay or Wanggoolba Creek: 30 to 50 minutes on the water, and bookings are required.
- Walk-on and air: the vehicle barges also take foot passengers, and passenger flights run daily from Hervey Bay and from Maroochydore.
Inskip Point is badly eroded. QPWS has a severe erosion alert on the barge landing beach access tracks from 25 March 2026 to 30 January 2027, so check park alerts and the barge operator before you set off.
What permits do you need for K'gari?
You need a vehicle access permit for every vehicle and a camping permit for every night you camp. Buy both online before you arrive: mobile reception on the island is unreliable and rangers there cannot issue permits.
- Vehicle access permit: A$61.80 for one month or less, or A$311 for up to a year. Number plates are checked by cameras, and driving without a valid permit carries a A$518 fine.
- Camping permit: the standard Queensland national park fee is A$7.75 per person per night, or A$31 per family per night. Bookings open 12 months ahead.
- Fenced campgrounds: Cornwells, Eli, One Tree, Wongai and Wathumba are fenced against dingoes.
Book camping early for school and public holidays. Our guide to what to book ahead in Australia covers K'gari alongside the country's other permits.
Should you self-drive or take a tour on K'gari?
Take a tour unless you are confident driving a 4WD in soft sand. All roads on K'gari are sand, so you need a high-clearance 4WD with low range. All-wheel-drive cars are not recommended, and caravans are not suitable.
Commercial tours leave from Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. They handle the barge, permits and tide timing, which removes most of the risk.
Self-driving gives you freedom to camp and explore the quieter north, but you must read tides, cross creeks and dig out of bogs. Hire 4WDs can carry no more than eight people and no roof luggage.
What are the rules for driving on K'gari?
Normal Queensland road rules apply on the sand, plus island limits, and light planes land on parts of the beach.
- Speed limits: 80 km/h maximum on the eastern beach, 30 km/h on inland roads, 40 km/h in beach pedestrian areas including the Maheno, 50 km/h on the Hook Point inland road and 10 km/h in shared areas.
- Tides: avoid beach driving for two hours either side of high tide. The best window is two hours either side of low tide. Driving on the foredunes to dodge the tide is prohibited.
- Alcohol and belts: the limit is 0.05, or zero for learner and provisional drivers. Police run random breath and drug tests, and everyone must wear a seatbelt.
- Creeks: walk a crossing first, never stop midstream, and never try to cross the Wathumba Creek or Moon Point estuaries.
- Night and aircraft: avoid driving at night, and give way to aircraft at signposted landing zones.
Check the QPWS K'gari conditions report before you go.
What are the best things to see on K'gari?
The highlights are the inland lakes, the rainforest at Central Station and the long eastern beach with its creeks, wreck and rock pools. Seeing both the central lakes and the beach sights comfortably needs two days or more.
| Sight | Where | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) | Central lakes, 8.7 km north of Central Station | Busiest about 10:30am to 3pm; no food or drink except water on the shore |
| Lake Wabby | 4.1 km walk from the eastern beach, north of Eurong | Never run, roll or slide down the dune; walk maintenance until 9 November 2026 |
| Eli Creek | Eastern beach | Up to four million litres an hour; walk the boardwalk and float back down |
| Maheno wreck | 75 Mile Beach, north of Happy Valley | Beached by a cyclone in 1935; 40 km/h zone around it |
| Champagne Pools | 21.2 km north of Dundubara | 700 m return boardwalk; best at mid-tide |
| Tukkee Wurroo (Indian Head) | Northern eastern beach | Walking track closed until 18 November 2026; cliff-top area restricted |
| Central Station and Pile Valley | Centre of the island | 4 km loop, about 2 hours, through tall satinay rainforest |
Lake Boomanjin is described by QPWS as the largest perched lake in the world, at almost 200 ha. For longer walks, including the K'gari Great Walk, see our Queensland rainforest walks guide. Part of the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk at Central Station is closed until 26 January 2027.
How do you stay safe around dingoes on K'gari?
Never feed wongari, keep children within arm's reach and lock away all food. Wongari are wild, and feeding them is an offence that rangers fine.
- Children: keep them within arm's reach at all times, including small teenagers. Families with children aged 14 or under should camp in fenced areas.
- Walking: walk in groups, carry a stick and do not run or jog, which can trigger an interaction.
- Food: lock food and iceboxes in your vehicle, never in a tent. Do not take food to lake shores, and use the fenced picnic areas.
- Rubbish and bait: secure rubbish, fish and bait. Hanging them from cars, trees or tents is an offence.
Take extra care in the wongari rearing and emergence season, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Report close encounters to rangers on (07) 4127 9150, and call 000 in an emergency. Our guide to dangerous animals in Australia covers sharks and stingers too.
Can you swim on K'gari?
Swim in the lakes and creeks, but do not swim in the ocean. There are no patrolled swimming areas on K'gari, and rips and sharks are possible off the eastern beach.
Boorangoora, Lake Wabby and Eli Creek are the classic swims. Champagne Pools is safe only when conditions allow, and you should stay off the rocks, where surf can wash you away. Never dive into the water and keep close to children. Read our guide to ocean safety in Australia before any beach trip.
When is the best time to visit K'gari?
K'gari is open all year, and the best time depends on what you want. July to October is humpback whale season in Hervey Bay, which the Queensland Government calls one of the planet's first Whale Heritage Sites. You can sometimes see whales from Champagne Pools too.
- September to November: wongari rearing season, so be extra careful at camp.
- November to May: marine turtles nest on the beaches; QPWS asks drivers to take care from 1 November 2026 to 1 May 2027.
- School holidays: campgrounds and barges are busiest, so book at least six weeks ahead.
Plan at least two nights on the island. A day trip covers only a few sights and spends much of the day on the barge and sand tracks.
Facts checked October 2026. Permit fees, park alerts and closures change often; check the QPWS K'gari park alerts and conditions report before you travel.
- About K'gari (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- K'gari, Great Sandy National Park and park alerts (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- K'gari: getting there and getting around (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- K'gari: staying safe (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Vehicle access permits (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- K'gari camping permits and requirements (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Camping bookings and fees (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) day-use area (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Lake Wabby walk (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Champagne Pools boardwalk (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- Pile Valley circuit (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)
- About the K'gari name change (Queensland Government)
- Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek (Tourism and Events Queensland)
- Hervey Bay whale watching season (Queensland Ministerial Media Statements)
