Caravan on Fraser Island

Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 14:52

Bryce E

Hi everyone. I'm just after a bit of advice regarding towing a caravan on Fraser Island. I have a standard 120 series Prado with BFG All terrains, towing a standard Coromal Sillhouette. I did a day trip in January from River Heads and saw a Silhouette parked on the beach side.

I have read past post about the soft sand at Inskip, the need to let tyre pressure down etc. I guess I'm just after the latest opinions as to whether it is a viable thing to do, and I'd prefer to look stupid here than on Fraser with $50 grands worth bogged.

Also wondering if I can get to Central Station from River Heads with this rig? I seem to recall the road became rough not far in, but cannot remember if it was after Central Station or before.

Looking at going at the end of the month.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

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AnswerID: 464493 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 15:48

George_M replied:

I was on Fraser Island last week. The tracks were quite damp and firm. All of the perched lakes were flooded. The facility at Happy Valley is closed for some reason.

Very little traffic out-n-about, although there were quite a few groups of fishermen between the Maheno and Indian Head.

Let your tyres down (caravan too), watch the tides and you'll be fine. The only problem you may have getting your rig to Central Station would be a tourist bus in the opposite direction.

It's a great place...

George_M

Come any closer and I'll rip your throat out!

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FollowupID: 738468 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 17:03

Bryce E posted:

Thanks George. Where dod you access the island from?

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FollowupID: 738473 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 17:19

George_M posted:

I took the barge from River Heads, Bryce.

On my visit last week the inland tracks were not only in excellent condition - no big crowns, washouts exposing tree roots, or big holes - but they were also quite damp. Tailor made for very easy touring around the island.

There are many passing bays between Kingfisher Bay and the turnoff to Lake Mackenzie and Central Station, so meeting a tour bus is not a problem. From the turnoff there are fewer passing bays.

George_M

Come any closer and I'll rip your throat out!

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FollowupID: 738515 Submitted: Friday, Sep 09, 2011 at 07:45

Kris and Kev posted:

When I mentioned to watch out for the tour busses, although there are places to pass on some tracks, some of the tour bus drivers will not back up to one and will try and force you to back a long way back. A bit difficult when towing. Some also do not stick to the speed limit and will suddenly appear on a bend. One local I spoke to said they had a bus driver refuse to back up a very short distance and indicated to them to back up, a lot further. They tried to reason with the bus driver but to no avail. So they just turned their car off and got out and started to walk off. The bus driver was most upset, said a few words, they replied that they were in no hurry, but then the bus driver did the right thing and backed up. (He was on a time table and had tourists on board.) Most drivers are good and helpful; it is only the bad few. Same as in any occupation. Kevin

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FollowupID: 738577 Submitted: Friday, Sep 09, 2011 at 17:52

Bryce E posted:

I took the River Heads barge in January, and gathered that the tour bus drivers were a higher species. I didn't have problems with them but I guess that's because I was driving the same rout ahead of them. Fortunately I'm in no hurry either:) I intend to keep the towing strictly to the beach anyway.

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AnswerID: 464495 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 16:10

Kris and Kev replied:

Been there a few times, not towing. I would be very hesitant in towing anything on the inside tracks, i.e. tracks from the River Heads Barge drop offs. Much better going via Rainbow Beach, Inskip Point. That way, with the correct tide, you can drive all the way along the beach without much trouble. The tyre pressures are definitely the secret. The Gall Boys took their big caravan along this way. But they do take their vans to some crazy places in their DVD’s. When you say you saw a Silhouette parked, I take it you mean on the eastern beach. Like I said, from Rainbow Beach, you can tow along the beach. That way you can set up and drive to Central Station without towing. Just watch out for those bl**dy tour buses. Where are you thinking of setting up? Kevin

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FollowupID: 738467 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 16:59

Bryce E posted:

Yes, the Silhouette I saw was on the eastern beaches near Eurong from memory. I'm not sure where to set up yet, but thinking of playing it safe and pre booking somewhere like Eurong or Happy Valley. I really just want to get a bit up the island and park the van, and explore from there. Can you recommend somewhere?

Thanks for the info Kevin, and for confirming my suspicions regarding the road to Central Station.

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FollowupID: 738474 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 17:28

Kris and Kev posted:

Bryce
Can’t really suggest where the best place is to set up. We have only stayed in houses previously. Last time we stayed at a house at poyungan rocks for a week and had a fantastic time. We want to take our camper trailer next time and set up in one of the designated camping areas just off the beach. Hope you have fun when you get there. It is such a beautiful and diverse island. Kevin

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AnswerID: 464529 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 21:03

Penchy replied:

Hi Bryce,
I was up there chrissy time last year before the floods, IF you make it onto the ferry at Inskip, if you stick to the beach at low tide you will have no dramas. As mentioned I would stay off the inland tracks as some are quite narrow and if you get stuck people behind get more than a little upset. Getting off the ferry coming home more than a couple of 4x4's pulling trailers of varying sizes getting stuck in the sand at inskip. I would leave it at home.

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FollowupID: 738624 Submitted: Saturday, Sep 10, 2011 at 12:18

Bryce E posted:

Thanks for the advice Penchy. I am wary of going all that way and getting stuck at Inskip.

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AnswerID: 464536 Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2011 at 22:43

rumpig replied:

myself and friends have taken caravans of various ages and types to Fraser Island via Inskip Point many times, all without a problem. tyre pressure is the key, so let them down and you should be ok, i have been bogged once coming off the barge from Fraser at Inskip, but it was my own fault for not having let the tyres back down from 25 psi whilst i was driving up and down the hard sand.
we have had vans from an offroad 17 ft Jayco to a 17ft onroad Millard and 13ft 1970's poptop Millard vans on the island, all pictured below.
we stay away from the inland tracks with the vans, just time our drive up the hard sand from Inskip Point about 2 hours before lowtide, and set up camp somewhere north of The Maheno for a 2 week stay.

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FollowupID: 738578 Submitted: Friday, Sep 09, 2011 at 17:57

Bryce E posted:

Thanks for the advice Rumpig. I guess the tyres should go down to about 15psi for the soft sand?

Also, I hear many people suggest camping north of the Maheno. Is that to get away from the day trippers? I got as far up as the Maheno when I day tripped in January, and learned that at times it would be like camping on the Bruce Highway.

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