A guide to camping on K’gari

Discover why UNESCO defined K’gari as a place of exceptional natural beauty.

K’gari is home to expansive beaches, roaming dingoes, cliffs of coloured sand and astonishing turquoise waters. Spanning 166,000 hectares in size, it also offers a range of terrains and views that other places just can’t compete with. The best way to experience them? Pitch a tent and camp, of course. K’gari camping is like nowhere else.

Thankfully, K’gari is packed with plenty of formal and informal campsites to choose from. Here, we answer all your most pressing questions on everything from permits, packing lists and tips for avoiding those pesky dingoes in our guide to camping on K’gari.

Before you arrive at K’gari

man sitting on 4wd in the middle of Pile Valley on k'gari camping — Camping on K’gari can be an unforgettable experience. (Image: Kyle Hunter)

Before you embark on one of the most rewarding outdoor adventures you can have in Queensland, you’re going to need to prepare.

Weather conditions on K’gari can vary greatly throughout the year and can have a significant impact on factors such as how you get there, track closures, dingo safety tips and where you can set up camp. To stay up to date on all this information, do your research beforehand.

K’gari is only accessible via 4WD, which means you will need your own or a rental 4WD if you intend to camp. If you’re a novice or would like time to get more comfortable behind the wheel, you can fine-tune your skills by booking a lesson with the Australian Offroad Academy on the island behind the Kingfisher Bay Resort (although some of the unavoidable tracks really are high-level driving, so you want to be quite competent).

Fuel is available for purchase on K’gari at Kingfisher Bay Resort, Eurong Beach, Happy Valley, Cathedral on Fraser and Orchid Beach.

Permits

shop at The Cathederals on k'gari fraser island — Fuel is available for purchase at The Cathedral. (Image: Courtney Atkinson/ TEQ)

A vehicle access permit and a camping permit both need to be organised before your arrival on the island.

Vehicle permits on K’gari

A vehicle access permit must be clearly displayed on your bonnet for inspection by authorised officers. Permits can be obtained online in advance via the Queensland National Parks Booking Service . They cost about $57.40 for one month or less, or up to $481.80 for longer stints on the island (depending on the campground). Head here for more information on vehicle access permits .

Camping permits on K’gari

Planning on setting up camp in one of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service areas? You’ll need camping permits for that too. Purchase your camping permit at their website before heading off to the island – and we strongly recommend booking your K’gari campsite six months in advance to beat the crowds also wanting to enjoy a spot of beach camping in the peak season.

What to pack

Aside from the obvious camping essentials, several important items are commonly left behind when it comes time to pack for a camping trip. To ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, double-check that you have the below.

First off, pack a first aid kit. You never know when you’ll need one. Secondly, insect repellent certainly comes in handy on those humid island nights. Also bring a fuel stove, rubbish bags, extra camping pegs/ropes and lockable food containers.

How to get to K’gari

4WDing on 75 mile beach on k'gari fraser island — Bring your own 4WD, or hire one to bring with you on the ferry. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You (and your 4WD) can grab a barge or ferry from either Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach.

From Hervey Bay in River Heads: The SeaLink ferry departs several times a day. Take the 30-minute journey to Wanggoolba Creek or the 50-minute journey to Kingfisher Bay.

From Rainbow Beach: the Manta Ray Barge leaves regularly from Inskip Point, with the last barge to Fraser leaving at 5pm. The trip to Hook Point takes just 10 minutes.

For high-flyers: Air Fraser Island ’s fleet of light aircraft departs from the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay airports.

If you’re going to be fully focused on driving around with your 4WD once you arrive on the island, best to check out this detailed map of the island’s camping sites . Another solid reason to check out this K’gari map in advance? The often weak mobile signal on the island.

Choosing a camping site on K’gari

person with 4wd camping on a k'gari beach — Beach camping is a popular camping option for K’gari. (Image: Tyson Mayr/ TEQ)

There are lots of camping areas to choose from on K’gari, each as blissfully picturesque as the next. Which one you pick will depend on what you’re looking for from your adventure. Do you want to be close to amenities? Do a spot of beach camping? Sleep in total solitude? Wake up to world-class sunrises? Go fishing all day? There is the perfect camping ground for you here on K’gari.

Beach camping zones

The cheap camping options on K’gari provide very little in the way of luxury, but much in the way of natural beauty. Some of the more formal camping sites deliver basic facilities, including tap water and toilets. And most have barbecues and communal washing-up facilities for use.

On K’gari there are 45 camping areas overall to choose from, including nine beach camping zones that you can pick from on the Eastern Beach .

Beach camping zone 1 (Dilli Village to Eurong)
Beach camping zone 2 (Eurong to Poyungan Rocks)
Beach camping zone 3 (Poyungan Rocks to Happy Valley)
Beach camping zone 4 (Happy Valley to Eli Creek)
Beach camping zone 5 (Eli Creek to The Pinnacles)
Beach camping zone 6 (The Pinnacles to Dundubara)
Beach camping zone 7 (Dundubara to Tukkee wurroo (Indian Head))
Beach camping zone 8 (Waddy Point to Ngkala Rocks)
Beach camping zone 9 (Browns Rocks to Sandy Cape)

You’ll need to be confident behind the wheel of a 4WD (and have a high clearance vehicle) to get to these beachside camping sites. And take note: if you’re worried about dingoes or camping with young children, you may be better off with another option that offers dingo-deterrent fences.

But our overall favourites on the island? Central Station , Dundubara and Waddy Point are your best options for camping on K’gari. All campgrounds have a 9pm noise curfew and generators are not permitted.

Remote campgrounds

There are 10 remote camping sites on K’gari, most without amenities. Here you can bypass the crowds and truly immerse yourself in what the island has to offer.

The Sandy Cape at the tip of the island is a great place to start. Otherwise, sites on the north-western side of the island – between Moon Point in the south and Wathumba Spit in the north – are your best options for remote camping.

There are more informal camping areas behind the foredunes on the eastern beach (check out our notes on the various camping zones there, above). Set-up is only permitted within signposted zones and at least 50 metres away from water.

Family campgrounds

Waddy Point Beachfront Campground — Waddy Beach is a gorgeous campground option. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

Visitors with children should opt for the fenced sites on the island. The grounds at Central Station, Lake Boomanjin , Dundubara, Dilli Village and Waddy Point are all good kid-friendly accommodation options.

Similar to the aforementioned formal sites, most of the family-friendly ones provide basic facilities like tap water and toilets. There are also barbecues and communal washing-up facilities.

Other notable mentions:

Best for fishing: Ungowa on the south-western coastline
Best for sunrises: Marloo, Ocean Lake camping zone on the eastern beach
Best for fire pits: Dundubara
Beach camping: Waddy Point on the north-east coast
Best camping near Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie): If you’re planning on doing the K’gari Great Walk , check out the Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) walkers’ camp .

For more information on individual campsite specifications visit the Queensland Parks and Forests website.

How much does it cost to camp on K’gari?

It can cost as little as seven dollars (that’s the same as two flat white coffees) to camp on K’gari. While it’ll only get you entry to one of the more basic campsites, these are the kind of prices that are enough to make even cash-strapped backpackers envious.

Eco-camping tips

man wearing a backpack on Basin Lake, K'gari camping — Leave only footprints. (Image: Tyson Mayr/ TEQ)

Thankfully, we have already penned some helpful guidelines that eco-conscious campers can abide by.

In addition to this, there are a few K’gari-specific tips that you can follow during your visit to help preserve its beauty for generations to come.

Avoid reapplying sunscreen or insect repellent before swimming. Unless your sunscreen is reef-safe, the chemicals can impact the water quality and negatively affect its wildlife.
K’gari is one of the best places in Australia to see dingoes. And while they roam freely around the island, it’s important to keep your distance. They are opportunistic hunters and scavengers, so be cautious if you see these wild animals. Do not feed them or leave food scraps around. Lock your food inside your vehicles and never eat inside your tent.
Do not bury your rubbish. Use the bins provided or take rubbish with you when you leave the island.
Open fires are not allowed on K’gari, except for the communal fire rings provided by EPA at select campgrounds.
Observe the prescribed speed limits in your 4WD. The maximum limits are 80km/h on beach tracks and 30km/h inland. Having a map of the island is also recommended.

Is swimming safe on K’gari?

Although they may look alluring, K’gari beaches are not safe for swimming. Strong rips and sharks can be found lurking beneath the surface, as well as stingrays between October and April.

But will you find crocodiles basking in the shallows of the island paradise? While sightings of saltwater crocodiles are reasonably rare this far south, they have in the past been spotted stopping off at K’gari on their travels abroad.

Just another pointy-teethed reason that – if you are keen for a swim – you head for one of the many lakes and creeks – all of which are freshwater and safe.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.