Which Barge to Fraser Island at Christmas?
Submitted: Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 11:57
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Big Woody
We are spending 8 days on Fraser Island from Christmas to New Years and will be catching one of the barges from either Hervey Bay or River Heads.
As we have to make a booking for these barges I am undecided as to which barge may be the best one to catch.
We have the choice of departing from River Heads and catching a barge to either Wanggoolba Ck or Kingfisher Bay Resort. There is also another barge that departs from Urangan and drops off at Moon Point.
We are staying at the top end of the island and will be towing a trailer.
Can anyone advise which barge and which track may be the better to use to get across the island for our run up
the beach?
We have caught the barge to Wanggoolba Ck before but waiting with the sandflies for the return trip was a bit of a mission.
Thanks for your help.
Brett
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 14:55
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 14:55
The Manta Ray Barge (Green & Yellow) is the Independent Operator and an Advertiser on this Site.
Manta Ray
AnswerID:
263445
Follow Up By: kev.h - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 15:36
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 15:36
Hey sandman dosen,t Manta Ray Barge only operate from
Rainbow he wants to leave from River Heads
Kev
FollowupID:
525016
Follow Up By: Big Woody - Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:16
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:16
Yeh sorry Sandman,
Should have said that as I live north of Fraser now, it will be a bit dearer to cross at Hervey Bay, but will save me a fair bit of time compared to driving down to cross on the Manta Ray barge at Inskip.
Brett
FollowupID:
525617
Reply By: kev.h - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 15:32
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 15:32
I normally go across to Wanggoolba Ck from River Heads as the access across the island is quick and easy. On the return journey I go to Kingfisher Bay in the morning have a dip in
the pool have lunch then head home, barge access is easy and its a nice way to end the holiday
Kev
AnswerID:
263455
Follow Up By: Big Woody - Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:20
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:20
Thanks Kev,
I have decided to take your advice and go Kingfisher in both directions this time. Should be a few less sandflies there too which will be a bit easier on our daughter who is allergic to them.
Regards,
Brett
FollowupID:
525619
Reply By: Nick R (VIC) - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 16:58
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 16:58
When we went years ago we went from
Rainbow Beach and towed our trailer up
the beach, it was a piece of cake. I believe by going to moon point you need to cross the island, someone may know better if there are one way tracks or not, if you meet another car reversing a trailer in sand has some difficulty attached to it....
Nick
AnswerID:
263457
Reply By: George_M - Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 17:24
Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 at 17:24
Brett
Traversing the island is pretty much the same, whether you land at Wanggoolba Ck, Kingfisher Bay or Moon Point.
Landing at Moon Point may be a little faster, as you get dropped off further up the island. On the other hand the Moon Point drop-off point is
the beach, and this sometimes means splashing through the surf to get on and off the barge - sometimes you won't get your hubs wet, other times it's a bit more "interesting".
I agree with Kev on this one....
George
AnswerID:
263461
Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 08:44
Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 at 08:44
We always use the
Rainbow Beach end, BUT..... if I was to go via the west side, I like the idea of going via Kingfisher, no chance of splashing through the salt
water at Moon Point.... and on the way back, as said above, enjoy Kingfishers hospitality for an hour or so before departing.
Cheers
Brian
AnswerID:
263532
Reply By: Mark & Jo, S/side, Bris - Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 08:24
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 08:24
Well looky who it is!!!!!!!
Nice to see you Brett!!!!!!!!
cheers
Jo
AnswerID:
263822
Follow Up By: Big Woody - Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:04
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:04
Hi Jo,
Nice to hear from you.
Yes I drop in here at EO every day without fail but I don't usually say too much.
How are you and Mark going?
It has been a pretty big year and I am really looking forward to going to Fraser at Christmas. I have been to the island about 30 times
camping but this year we have a house at
Orchid Beach with my brother and his family which will be nice.
I love Fraser in summer. Last time we went it was in September and it was mostly cold, wet and windy. Looking forward to some hot weather and lots of swimming.
All the best to you and Mark and look forward to catching up properly one day.
Regards,
Brett
FollowupID:
525613
Reply By: Big Woody - Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:13
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2007 at 22:13
Thanks all for your replies.
I guess I should have added that I live to the north of Fraser Island and so it is not economical to drive down to the barge at
Inskip Point and then back up the entire length of the island.
I have decided that I might try the Kingfisher Barge both ways this time and will give Moon Point a miss. After looking at the maps the Island is a fair bit wider at Moon Point and as I am keen to get across to the main beach and up to
Orchid Beach fairly quickly, I will stick to the easy option this time and to tracks that I am familiar with to avoid any confusion.
After checking the price of the barges from Hervey Bay - $235 return with trailer - bring back the 80's. I remember regular fees for the
Inskip Point barges down around $15 return and one particularly busy
Easter when the price wars were happening we got a return ticket for free.
Thanks again for your help guys,
Brett
AnswerID:
263944