Welcome to the world's largest sand island. Part of the Great Sandy National Park, K'gari tours are the perfect island adventure.
K'gari (formerly known as Fraser island) near Hervey Bay on the east coast of Australia isn’t just the largest sand island in Queensland, it’s the largest one in the world. Along with loads of natural beauty, you'll find day tours, whale-watching cruises and K'gari explorer tours if you want to get off the beaten track. While day trips are popular, you really need more time to make the most of this incredible World Heritage-listed destination. Our local leaders will help you discover the beauty of K'gari, from rugged headlands, pristine Eli Creek, coloured sands and golden beaches to lush rainforests and the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie. There are more than 100 of these freshwater lakes to float around in, which means one trip to K'gari is never enough.
Our K'gari (Fraser Island) tours
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Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
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Highlights of K'gari (Fraser Island)

See the Maheno Shipwreck
One of the most popular photo stops on K'gari is alongside the rusting Maheno, a former luxury passenger liner that was washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935. It's hard to believe how luxurious this vessel used to be when you look at the rusting wreck on the beach but the Maheno was once almost as glamorous as the Titanic with sparkling chandeliers, polished wood floors, luxurious staterooms and elegant bars.Â

Slip into the Champagne Pools
Take a dip in the Champagne Pools, a natural volcanic rock formation where waves froth over the pools’ rocky edge like they are tumbling down a tower of Champagne coupes. On your way down to the pools, take a moment to enjoy the view from the boardwalk which wraps around the headland above the pools. The best time to swim is at mid-tide when the pools resemble an enormous, bubbly spa tub filled with frothing ocean waves.Â

Drive along 75 Mile Beach
75 Mile Beach isn’t just a gateway to some of K'gari’s most famous natural attractions, it is also an official gazetted highway with all the usual road rules. And an airstrip so keep an eye on the sky for landing planes! This is where you'll find many of K'gari's most famous sites such as the Maheno shipwreck, the towering headland known as Indian Head, and the Champagne Pools where you can go for a swim in the pristine foaming waters of the surrounding ocean.

Ride down Eli Creek
Float along in the sparkling fresh Eli Creek, a fast flowing watercourse which pours up to 4 million litres of water into the ocean every hour. If you don't feel like going for a swim you can stroll through the shallow water where the creek emerges onto the beach or take a stroll along the boardwalk which follows the water course through banksia and pandanus groves. There are also picnic tables if you feel like a sit down or a snack.Â

K'gari whale watching
K'gari is the perfect place to jump onboard a whale watching cruise as you can join the boat at the jetty, avoiding the sometimes bumpy ride from Hervey Bay. Seeing these incredible animals breaching, spraying water into the air and slapping their tails on top of the water to communicate with other whales in the area is an experience not to be missed. Whale watching season on K'gari runs from August to October.Â

See the beauty of K'gari
K'gari is considered to be one of the 20 most significant sites in Australia according to UNESCO. Venture inland to discover the mighty eucalypt forests, rolling sand dunes, hidden lakes and lush rainforests that thrive in this unusual natural environment which is mostly comprised of sand, fresh water and salt. The beauty of K'gari isn't just stunning, it's also unique and remains the only landscape of its kind in the world.Â
K'gari (Fraser Island)Â tour reviews
K'gari (Fraser Island) FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy
It takes a little over four hours to drive from Brisbane to one of the jumping off points to catch the barge to Fraser Island. There are barges departing from Inskip Point and River Heads which is a 20 minute drive south of Hervey Bay. It is possible to take your 4WD on the ferry or walk on as a foot passenger. Remember to get your 4WD vehicle set up to drive on sand before you get off the barge on Fraser Island or you could get bogged with an audience watching on.Â
Having a 4WD isn’t optional on Fraser Island as there are no sealed roads. Driving on Fraser Island is only recommended for more experienced 4WD enthusiasts as some of the tracks are steep and the sand can be deep and soft, particularly if there hasn’t been much rain.Â
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Anytime of year is a good time to visit Fraser Island. Summer is hot and humid and perfect for swimming. Spring and Autumn are cooler and the island tends to be quieter. In winter, whales are frequently spotted swimming past the island.Â
Fraser Island is a casual place so you can leave your fancy clothes at home. Gear which can be layered is the best option as it can be chilly when you set off on tour in the early morning but the days can really warm up. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are a must, even in winter, as the sun reflects off the white sand. Any shoes you bring along will almost certainly get sand in them so sandals or thongs you can quickly shake the sand out of before you get back in your vehicle are best. Bring all the essentials such as basic medications with you, as shops are few and far between on the island. Â
Fraser Island is all about action and adventure and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. If you're going to eat dinner at the resort, as long as what you're wearing is clean and you've got shoes on, you're good to go.Â
You will find a WiFi signal on Fraser Island near major tourist hubs such as Kingfisher Bay Resort, Happy Valley, and Eurong. There is limited or no WiFi available in some parts of the island, particularly when you are travelling inland.Â
Mobile phones work on Fraser Island near major tourist hubs such as Kingfisher Bay Resort, Happy Valley, and Eurong. There is limited or no mobile phone reception in some parts of the island, particularly when you are travelling inland.Â
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. The abundance of sand on Fraser Island can make walking difficult for travellers who are less mobile on foot. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
It's safe to swim in Fraser Island’s recommended swimming spots, but it is not safe to swim in the sea.
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