Visiting Fraser Island

Thanks Barbera72 for your suggestion. We had not considered Moreton Island as an option but will look into it. We would be happy to receive your suggestions.

Gill/Peter, if you go on Fraser I wish to share my favourite spots. Obviously you'll visit landmarks such lake McKenzie, Ely ck, Lake Wabby, Champagne pools and Indian Head but if you have time try to get to Platypus Bay. You need to drive from Orchid Beach west to Wathumba (15Km or so and amazing place too). Park the car there and try to walk across Wathumba creek on low tide approx. 300m upstream from the surf (above knee deep), then cross the small bushy sand hill and you'll be in the whitest virgin sand beach in SEQ with amazing water colors. Well worth to have a picnic there without cars driving around on the sand. Another amazing place is Sandy Cape lighthouse. Depending from conditions and tides, you'll need to pass 2 sets of rocks (Ngkala) north of Orchid Beach (sometimes can be challenging). Once on the northern most tip of Fraser you'll turn left around the corner and drive until you arrive to the end of driving sign. There a walking track brings you on the top of the hill at the lighthouse and you'll remember the view forever. Sandy Cape campground have no facilities but the fishing is great and sheltered from wind (a bonus in winter).

Thank you so much for your knowledgeable response Barbera72. We are looking forward to this part of our journey immensely.

Thanks for your response Rumpig. We will not be taking the caravan, but tenting. We would prefer one of the formal campsites with toilets and showers. We have just travelled the Simpson Desert west to east and obviously managed with no facilities and had visits from dingos at night but they did not disturb us or concern us. We have never been to Fraser Island but have travelled the Australian lap over eighteen months including leaving the van and travellng the tracks etc with the tent.

if it's campgrounds you want then you have many to choose from, for your 4 days stay IMHO you really only want to look at places such as Central Station, Dundaburra, Cathedrals or even Dilli Village. Waddy point is another option also, but to far North IMHO for the amount of days you plan to spend on the island.
i've never stayed at Dilli Village but have read many people on MySwag forum saying they like the place due to fires being allowed and the nice grassey campsites they have there (it's more expensive then the Nat. Parks campgrounds though). Central Station IMHO is covered by the trees too much and lacks sunlight, personally i don't like it but many others seem to stay there. i used to love camping at the old Central Station campground when it was back up the track at the logging station due to the open grassey area you camped on, sadly it's not an option these days. Cathedrals (privately owned) is an ok spot to stay due it being fairly central to the entire island, IMHO it's a touch pricey considering what you pay to stay at the rest of the Nat. Parks campgrounds on the island. Dundaburra is a popular choice for many people visiting the island, being it's not far North of Cathedrals it's also very central to everything so may be a good choice to base yourselves at. another option if your camp set up is easy to pull down and erect again, is to spend a night at one spot and then move to another another night, but i don't know what your set up is like so hard to say if it's a realistic option.
personally i camp on the Eastern beach, nothing beats waking up in the morning and looking at the water, the wind can be a killer at times, but when it's not blowing it's just magical.
being in July you may like the option of a fire, so Dilli Village Dundaburra and Waddy Point are all options to consider then (no fires allowed at Central Station i don't think).

Thanks Rumpig for your help. We will be using our Black Wolf turbo tent and as we have used it often (14 night one night days from Melbourne to Townsville recently via the Oodnadatta, Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Winton etc) we can erect it and set up and pull down quite quickly. One night tops do not bother us if it allows us to see and experience more. We will take our advice on board.

Great reading - thank you. We are looking forward to our visit. Fortunately we will miss the school holidays!

I can't see what fashion has to do with this. When you travel around oz you get use to certain things, like freedom for example. Then you go to Fraser and you'll have rangers checking all over your camp site including your eskys, you'll struggle to find a carpark at lake Mckenzie or you'll have to wait for the traffic to ease to cross the beach. But no doubt Fraser is an amazing spot.

Fashionable -- adjective:
In vogue, in fashion, popular, up-to-date, modern, all the rage, du jour, modish, trendsetting, stylish, informal trendy, classy, with it, cool, in, hot, big, hip, happening, now, snazzy, spiffy, tony, fly.

I still can't see what in vogue, in fashion, popular, up-to-date, modern, all the rage, du jour, modish, trendsetting, stylish, informal trendy, classy, with it, cool, in, hot, big, hip, happening, now, snazzy, spiffy, tony, flyfashion has to do with opting to Moreton instead of Fraser. On the contrary: Fraser would be more fashionable if you count the number of visitors. Also I don't see any negativity in my post towards you to get such sarcastic answer, I'm giving some information that may be of negative nature about Fraser and others pointed at positives. Still a beautiful spot and we all agree.

Sorry Barbera, it wasn't sarcastic....... I actually agree with you.
It's just that until recently, Fraser was 'The Place' and Moreton rarely mentioned then lately there have been several references criticizing Fraser in favour of Moreton. Hence the term 'fashionable' (popular).
Being in my 'backyard' I visit each of them fairly often and have learned when to avoid the crowds. I like each for differing reasons.
However, it's strange that I have never had a Ranger check my campsite. But mind you, I usually stay in a fenced campground for convenience and to avoid the dingo hassle. Also there have been authoritative concerns expressed regarding the health/sanitation situation of campsites on the beach and I have no wish to pick up some 'nasty'. Yes, Moreton can be more relaxing.

Yes Allan, I visit too Moreton 4 to 6 times every year. I dropped Fraser few years ago since we had continuously bad experiences with people and regulations that limit our way of living with nature. However I do understand we need regulations for a place visited from so many tourists and many from overseas. Like me, many of my friends travelers and campers, share this view of Fraser. I wish more people understood the rule of "leave no trace".
Cheers.

Thanks for your response Berylvt. We might take your advice and just visit both as we have the time to do so. We had never considered Moreton Island previously so posting this question has certainly been helpful.

Be aware that Campfire regulations have changed on Fraser Island and there are now only two communal campfire sites available.

"Fires are prohibited on Fraser Island except in the communal fire rings at Dundubara and Waddy Point camping areas. Campers wishing to use these fire rings must supply their own clean, untreated milled timber for firewood and firelighters for ignition. Fuel stoves are recommended for cooking."

Thanks for this advice.