Planning trip to Fraser Island

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 11:07

ThreadID: 48958 Views:2693 Replies:5 FollowUps:6

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K'gari (Fraser Island)

Fraser Island has a rich Aboriginal, forestry and ecological history. Once a very remote and inaccessible sandy island the spot is now one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations.

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Section: Treks

K'gari (Fraser Island) has a rich Aboriginal, forestry and ecological history. Once a very remote and inaccessible sandy island the spot is now one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations.

Out There

Hi all,
I am planing to pull an off road camper trailer with the 3lt turbo Patrol to Fraser Island in January. I have never been there before and am looking forward to it. I have read all the advise given in previous threads. Still making notes. Will attempt to be as prepared as possible. It appears to make a huge difference.

Does anyone see a problem with the timing at all? (I don't know how crowded it gets that time of year)
Can anyone suggest a good spot on the island for first timers to camp? I understand about half way up is pretty good.

Thanks
Scott & Family

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Reply By: Lazybugger - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 12:12

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 12:12

To be honest January is not the greatest month to hit the island. It's gonna be hot, humid and you run a real risk of the Marsh Flies ruining your trip. I've got a mate with a house up there and we have been there before in summer and while sitting on his deck you can literally spend the entire time swatting flies. (these are big bastards too, about the size of a bee and their bite does sting a little, kids would hate it).

Dundubberra is a pretty nice campgound but it is a fair hike to the lakes which you may want to swim at on a daily basis. (remember swimming in the surf at fraser is never an option). So suggest probably look at camping on the beach between Eurong & happy Valley.

March to October will give you a much more enjoyable trip.

AnswerID: 258588

Follow Up By: Out There - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 13:48

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 13:48

Thanks for the tip on the flies. I had a run in with them in the Snowy Mountains and they almost picked up the BBQ and flew away with it. I do have 2 small children with me so I might leave it for another time of year.

Will get there though and often!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott.

FollowupID: 519963

Follow Up By: Member - CS (NSW/ACT) - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:03

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:03

Lazybugger,

can you expand on why we shouldn't swim in the surf at Fraser? (this is not an "Explain Yourself!" demand, just wondering what the reason is :)

I grew up on the beach and greatly miss it these days and swimming in the breakers is one of the things I was looking forward to later this year :)

Cheers,

Chris

FollowupID: 520011

Follow Up By: Nick R (VIC) - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:14

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:14

why not swim?
sharks
That said, We did go swimming......

I went in January and the march flies were opressive, the fly proof tent was wonderful. Apparently the first week in Jan is busy, we were there in the second week and were one of 8 groups on the 120 or so km of east facing beach. It was very hot inland and also very humid.

NickR

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FollowupID: 520013

Follow Up By: Lazybugger - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 20:29

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 20:29

Yeah I was basically refering to the sharks. Check the beach for bluebottles before you head in also.

Its also an unpatrolled beach with some pretty bad rips and help is too far away to get there in time.

Of course you might find a low tide gutter or similar which you can safely wade in waste deep or have the kids paddle.

Cheers

FollowupID: 520030

Reply By: Smudger - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 12:20

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 12:20

It's 4WD heaven, with plenty of magical camping pots. You're talking the busiest time of the year for Fraser, school holidays. But if that's when you have to travel then you've got little choice. There'll be heaps of other of other families to meet. You might have trouble camping near facilities, they get booked out well in advance ..get info on bookings at the "Great Sandy National Park" website. If you find there's no room at the Inn, think about Moreton Island. that's where the locals go now that Fraser is over-run by us tourists.

AnswerID: 258589

Follow Up By: Axel [ the real one ] - Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 11:17

Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 11:17

No room at the inn , Moreton now has a "ceiling" of 1400 campers at any one time on the island , if planning on Moreton any time in Dec/ Jan time to book a site is NOW , no longer able to just go and camp any where , all sites + number of people have to be booked.

FollowupID: 520267

Reply By: Grungle - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:03

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:03

Hi Scott,

We had a great trip up there New Years 2003. I know it was a while ago but you can read all about it here -> http://www.mcs.net.au/~grungle/fraserisland03.html

One thing I would like to say, spend the time to explore as much as you can as there is so much history and a lot of people only see the tip of the iceberg so to speak.

Regards
David

AnswerID: 258651

Follow Up By: Grungle - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:10

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:10

Oh for crying out loud! Sorry but the linking system has changed again.

Try http://www.mcs.net.au/~grungle/fraserisland03.html

Regards
David

FollowupID: 520012

Reply By: Jeeps - Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:33

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 at 19:33

We were there in October last year and camped on the beach south of Dundaburra. I'm happy to report there were no flies whatsoever but is was after the Sept school holidays and the tracks were chewed up bad.

AnswerID: 258658

Reply By: Matt Davis - Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 06:48

Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 at 06:48

We were there in Jan this year. Packed out until day after Australia Day, then the place emptied. Hot and Humid (compared to Melbourne), but nice. Flies were so slow you just kill em, no problem. Swimming on Eastern beaches is not a good idea. We saw and caught a fair no. of sharks.

AnswerID: 258830