Caravans on Fraser Island

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 18:49
ThreadID: 10523 Views:14073 Replies:12 FollowUps:22
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Has anyone towed a van on Fraser Island? We have an off-road caravan and would like to take it to Fraser but cannot find anyone who has towed? How difficult is it and where did you go to?
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Reply By: Member - Andrew(WA) - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:11

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:11
what size van??, pop top or full sze?? etcFraser Island
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Reply By: LynRoss - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:23

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:23
Pop Top Coromal Off Road Van Pioneer XC 16 ft with 16 inch wheels. Would be towing with Pajeron NP and staying at Cathedral Beach Caravan Park. They say we can tow there, but friend said he wouldn't try it!
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Reply By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:27

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:27
pick your tides, drop your tyres and you'll be fine (assuming you can drive on sand!)

Cathedral beach Caravan Park does not exist.

You may be thinking of Frasers at Cathedral, new owners, new friendly faces.
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Reply By: LynRoss - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:31

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:31
Yes, that's the name. What about getting off the barge at Inskip Point? Friend told me he got bogged here and had to wait 4 hours. Have you towed on Fraser?
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Follow Up By: glenno - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 21:12

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 21:12
i rescently returned from fraser and saw quite a few pop top vans there.make sure tide is dead low so you can travel along the beach rather than the large potholled old inland mining road.i went right up to champagn pools and the only spot where i had to have a second attempt was the steep hill just before the champagn pools . i noticed a landrover defender had a second go . all the other 4wds gunned it up there flat out . i had no trouble getting off and on barges . 2nd gear low and steady as she goes all the way onto the barge , piece of cake .
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 08:03

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 08:03
I tow regularly on Fraser.

I can not emphasise enough to use the tides to your advantage.

Drop your tyre pressures before you leave the bitumen at the end of the Inskip camping area, drop the pressures in the van too.

I don't muck around with pressures any more, my stauns are set to 15 psi.

Drop em (check them again the next morning) and just leave them down.

The track into Cathedral, is corduoyed, so the incline will not present a problem (but is relatively steep, so you may want to leave the beach in Low Range)

Ensure that you have quality rated hooks front and rear (Island regulars will not help those without). And if you get stuck, you have much greater chance of a snatch if you already have your strap connected and attract attention with the other end of the strap in your hand.

I, for one, will no longer stop and help people who won't help themselves.

When are you heading over??

Have a great time
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Follow Up By: LynRoss - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 08:54

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 08:54
Hi Dave,

Not going until August, but if we don't tow, then I needed to think about booking some accommodation. . . Is there anywhere else except Cathedral Beach where you would stay? My son & his partner are coming with us and she won't stay anywhere there is not a toilet and a shower!!!
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:05

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:05
Yidney Jacks place is the best spot on the island IMHO.

(07) 4127 9167

Not cheap, (no where good is).

cheers

Another option is to camp (or caravan) at Central Station, new campsite, very shmick, big, level sites, great amenities.

Get the barge across from River heads and drive staright to it. Easy track, you could ride you pushy along most of it.
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Follow Up By: LynRoss - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:14

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:14
Thanks Dave,

Am going to caravan. I will have a look on the web to see if I can find out something about Central Station - don't even have a map yet!

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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:20

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:20
I doubt that you'll find much just yet.

I can email you some photos if you like!
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Follow Up By: LynRoss - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:27

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:27
Thanks, I would appreciate it very much: email to lpayne@msj.nsw.edu.au.

There is practically nothing on the web about Central Station. I did find it on one of the maps tho'.
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Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:28

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:28
Dave,
I presume that the campsite at Central Station takes vans (when I was there years ago only saw tents).
It could be tricky towing a van into there - I guess the 'one-way system' from Eurong would be the best bet ???
Regards,
Brad.
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:37

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:37
Lyn ros, will do right now.
\
Brad, the campsite is brand new, very different, (whole new location) to the old one. and yes takes caravans, campers whatever!

As for getting there, best bet is to be in the middle of the barge traffic and get behind a truck or bus, everything else gets out of their way!!

Seriously, I've towed all over Fraser, and the stretch between Wanggoolba Crk and Central is a doddle, (and is one way or very wide for almost the whole way)
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Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:04

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:04
Thanks Dave,
Two more quick questions while I've got you on-line :-))
1. So you would be happy to tow both ways between Central Station And Eurong ?...I didn't tow last time but I will next time (V8 LC100 and Ultimate CT) and this is the way I'd like to go.
2. Do you still leave the tyres at 15 psi on the inland tracks, and doing 80kph at dead low tide on the hard sand ?

Many thanks,
Brad.
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:28

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:28
no worries brad.

I was referring earlier of the road between Wangoolab Crk on the western side and Central.

That said, I would have no hesitation in towing to Eurong and back, there is a soft patch a few ks shy of Eurong that may require a little momentum, and a soft slightly uphill corner, while heading west (then again everything depends on the weather and amount of traffic.)

As for typre pressures, yep, I just leave them, but i'll usually only do say 70 on the beach if its a hot day, (32x11.5 tyres) remember that the worst parts are getting on and off the beach, I can't see the point of mucking around lowering and raising, when a slight drop in speed makes it work just fine.

Every second person who has trouble has either not deflated their tyres at all, or have only done about 10 seconds per tyre.

If its high tide and i need to use the old mining road, i'll travel at a max of about 30km/hr with tyres that low.

Some may disagree with this philosophy or advice, that is fine, i can live with criticism. But in my more than 70 trips to Fraser, (15 last year) and numerous ventures to Rainbow, and the bottomless sand of Kinkuna, i can say confidently that i am being friendlier to my truck, my passengers and most importantly to the environment.
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Follow Up By: Brad - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:41

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:41
Many thanks dave
Regards,
Brad
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Reply By: LynRoss - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 21:32

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 21:32
thanks, might give it a go! Just got to convince other half that people actually do this!
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Follow Up By: LynRoss - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 21:33

Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 21:33
Tow vans there, I mean. . . .
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Reply By: Member - StevenL - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 00:08

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 00:08
I would have thought if it was a problem then the operators wouldn't let you take the van onto the ferry!

StevenLPlaydoe GXL TD Manual
It's on order, Delivery in April '04.
This pic will have to do till then. Can't wait!!!
AnswerID: 46738

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 07:56

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 07:56
wouldn't worry them in the slightest!

I have seen people get bogged just off the barge. They reverse the barge out and come in 10 meters along, so that the rest of the passengers can get off.
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Reply By: Brian - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:43

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 09:43
There is also a nice camping ground at Dundabara which has sites for vans etc...... can book your stay there with Parks and Wildlife in Rainbow Beach
AnswerID: 46758

Follow Up By: LynRoss - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:05

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:05
Thanks Brian,

Do you think Dundabara is a better option than staying at Cathedral Beach resort?
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Follow Up By: Brian - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:19

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:19
LynRoss,
Don't know whether it's a better option or not... perhaps Dave from fraser Coast is better qualified to comment on that... he's been there more than us... We loved Dundabara... Cathedral is beautiful too!! The one thing I can tell you about Fraser Island is that it is an absolutely magnificent place where everywhere you look is brilliant!!!
Try clicking here for a bit of info that we sourced when planning our first trip there. Hope it helps
Just my opinion
Cheers
Brian
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Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:31

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:31
Dundabura is nice. You can have fires there if that's important to you.

Much better facilities at Cathedral or Central if that's important to you.

Heaps of options, maybe you could do a few days at each, camp in the dunes (Cathedral or Dundaburra) and in the forest (Central)
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Reply By: LynRoss - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:27

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 10:27
Thanks again Brian. We are certainly looking forward to going.
AnswerID: 46760

Follow Up By: glenno - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 11:55

Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 11:55
we stayed at sailfish on fraser at happy valley . i found this to be central to everything on the island and only a short drive away from eli creek and maheno wreck . also 2 mins walk to the pub . $250 a night .
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Reply By: DavidAT - Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 10:11

Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 10:11
Hi,
We were at Fraser in 2002. Booked into Eurong Beach Resort, but we arrived and were appalled, didn't even unpack. Set off to Happy Valley and found beautiful accomodation there. Can't remember the name of the place off hand but will find it if you want it.
AnswerID: 46859

Follow Up By: LynnP - Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 12:00

Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 12:00
Thanks David,

I would appreciate the name of the place you stayed. Eurong Beach Resort was one we were considering. Had considered Kingfisher Bay but read really, really bad reports about the staff and service. If you are going to be paying good money, everything should be perfect. I am prepared to forego perfection if it doesn't cost, not if it does!

Thanks,
Lynn
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Follow Up By: DavidAT - Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 14:51

Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 14:51
The name of the place was Fraser Island Retreat and you can check out them online at

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~frasertravel/fraser/retreat/retreat.htm

It was a great spot to stay and not too costly when compared to other options. The staff were wonderful and went out of their way to make our stay relaxed.

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Reply By: Rick Blaine - Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 21:21

Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 21:21
So what about a conventional Van On Fraser? say at tandem 18' ensuite with a T/D Jack as tow /sightsee vehicle? Or am I being to ambitious? Is ther a camp/caravan park that i could use without getting the van off the tar?
AnswerID: 46957

Follow Up By: Dave from Fraser Coast 4WD Club - Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at 07:24

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at 07:24
No!

It's fair to say that you are either pulling our legs or you are very handy with a shovel!

seriously though, people tow all sorts of things around Fraser, and I have seen some big vans setup behind the dunes.

Anyway, can't talk no, must pack. I'm on the 1015 barge ;-)
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Reply By: Rick Blaine - Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at 11:45

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at 11:45
Ok, I was serious... So I leave the van at Tin Can & just do a day trip/s to Fraser?
AnswerID: 47026

Reply By: gonebush - Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004 at 18:24

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004 at 18:24
Hi,

I've towed on Fraser numerous times and the biggest rig was a 19' off road caravan towed with an 80 series Cruiser Diesel. Camped in the area behind Indian Head for a couple of weeks but that was difficult to get in and out of and you wouldn't get in there now. There are many excellent grassed and shaded camping spots all along the beach near fresh water with very easy access (many are 2WD) and IMHO this is far better than in campgrounds. Take a shower & toilet with you and enjoy.

As has been said tyre pressures, momentum/gear selection in soft sand and tide times are the key. Rated recovery points front and rear and a good snatch strap are essential but should not be needed. Be on the barge at Inskip Pt 1 to 1 1/2 hrs before low tide so you are driving the Fraser Is beach on a falling tide. You should then be able to get around the rocky outcrops staying on the beach but it may depend on sea conditions. The beach will be 2WD except possibly for the bit from the barge to around Hook Point but that is often 2WD as well.

Avoid QLD and NSW school holidays if you can.

Larry
AnswerID: 49684

Follow Up By: Lynn2 - Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004 at 20:18

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2004 at 20:18
Thanks, Larry.

It is good to hear from someone who has towed a van successfully. Think we are going to give it a go after all.
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