Practical Advise Needed

Hervey Bay is almost a City- much more choice than Gympie !!
Can't see any reason for dearer prices there- try the Supermarkets...

Should have added what camping ground to you recommend for a family on the Island?

Hi Cram

Hervey Bay has all the super markets you want , and a lot cheaper than city prices,
the area is one of Queenslands BOOM areas, I would suggest to fill up with fuel
and food and alcohol, if you drink that is, because Fraser Island is a lot more
expensive, because of cartage, and they have a captive cliental.

Cheers
Daza

Hi Daza, thanks for that information. Do you know much about Cathederal Beach? I have seen it on the net but does not give much information.

Most people would recommend supporting local businesses where possible. Yes you might have to pay slightly more however if that's a real problem for you, perhaps you should consider staying at home. Travelling, vanning, camping, backpacking, hiking, cycling, kayaking, etc etc all come at a cost and it's something that you just have to live with if you chosse that activity. Local businesses support local charities, community groups, fund raising, community activities etc. If you want to go to an area or district and enjoy the hospitality, use their roads, toilets, parks, water, libraries and other amenities then paying a little more for your supplies is no big deal.

Sorry should also have added that I would imagine that you would be someone who has never looked for a bargain or paid a little less then you need to. Of course if you had that would make you a hypocrit wouldnt it.

The fact is I am looking for a reason to stay in Hervey Bay and spend my hard earned. I know nothing about the area other then it is a beautiful spot. I was unaware it was so big.

At least the others who replied answered in a reasonable manner. I am not sure what some people get out of beating up on people in forums. It is something I detest and hence when I am seemingly attacked and judged by some faceless individual who is totally off base I am prepared to treat them with the contempt they deserve.

Cram
You didnt say if you would be towing or not. Leaving from Hervey Bay most of the barges are reverse on drive off which makes it a bit harder than going on from Inskip where the barges are drive on drive off well at least it was the last time I went from Hervey Bay which was many many years ago.
Depending on when you will be there other places you can camp with facilities are Dundaburra and Waddy Point, both NP camp grounds, but if it is in school holidays I think they are already booked out. You can check if the area is booked by going on to the web and listing your dates and see if they are available.
If you can spend more than 4 days on the Island I would advise to stay longer.A week is a good time but I have spent 2 weeks there and really enjoyed it although I go for the fishing and relaxation as well as the Island.
I will be heading there on the 23 June for a week and will be camping on the beach, more than likely north of Dundaburra, so if on the Island at the same time and you see a white GU with an exploreoz tyre cover or a Trackabout camper with the same, stop and say hello.
Cheers
Jenkie

Hey Cram(aka marc)

Have a look through some previous posts its DIO favourite saying at the moment, about the cost of camping 4wding ect (I think he justs copy and pastes it from one post to the next) don't take it to heart mate there is always one. I recommend you get the Hema brand fraser island guide (its available from the exploroz shop) I did FULL of great info and maps ect a great read even if you don't go!!! LOL
Hope you get the info you need

Cheers Stefan

Cram ,
Also be aware that if travelling the inland tracks many are narrow in places and you will more than likely be expected to do your share of backing up when meeting oncoming traffic on narrow sections.
Grab a good map of the island when in Hervey bay , I think ( cannot find it right now ) the one we got was from Sunmap these will also show and describe camp grounds
and If camping on western side take a large insect repellant or2
Garry

Hi Cram , I was at Cathedral beach camping grounds in OCT 2005 and it was clean and the people running it were very nice but my mate tried booking this OCT and it looks like we are staying elsewhere as it is fully booked so just make a booking well in advance once you decide where to stay ..OH and have heaps of FUN FUN FUN !!!

regards J.B.

A big thank you to everyone for your helpful replies. The replies I have been given, with the exception of one (lol), are exactly the friendly informative posts that I have generally experienced since first coming into these forums.

Thanks again guys.

What will you be towing? The track from Kingfisher across to the Eastern beach can get a little cut up and soft at times so if you have a larger rig it's much better to come across from Inskip and come up the beach. You can camp at Inskip for the night if you want. It's a recognized camp area with facilities.

You can get everything you need at Hervey Bay and there's some beaut caravan parks on the Esplanade, about three to choose from from memory.

Have a great trip.

Bit sad that one reply you got hopefully is hole is plugged with a bigger rock............

Others will correct me but I was under the impression going around the bottom of Fraser on the beach is closed or is it only proposed??? leaving the inland run (about 20k from memory) before coming back on the beach.

Hervey Bay is a great spot and you can get all you need there as in Gympie have a great trip.

I also reccommend booking and don't forget the permits :) which I believe can still be obtained on the barge?

Brian

Well once again thanks very much for the great advise. I have today booked our camping site at Cathederal Beach. We will be there between 13 and 18 October 2007.

So if you see us driving around in our Disco Series II TD5 then give us a hoy.

Thanks again

Cram (aka Marc)

not a problem in HB. That's where we bought our foodstuffs before going across the on the ferry.