Fraser Island

G'Day Ben,

It can get very crowded during school holidays, where are driving from? there will be much less crowded spots depending where you are coming from.

Ben, do a search on "Fraser" in the archives. We're going up for the July school hols and I've already asked the question. Fraser shouldn't be too bad in July, being the winter holidays.

We'll be "bush" camping (well, beach camping actually) as we like our space too.

Also, visit the Overlander forum and have a look in the "Travel" area. There are some "trip reports" there that provide some useful info.Talk is cheap ...
Rohan (Sydney)

Ben,

We have been on the island quite a few times and found that Sept/Oct school holidays and Christmas periods are usually the busiest.

July should be ok even during school holidays, but if you want a good spot to camp on the beach, get on the island early on a Saturday morning. Most people leave on Saturdays so you can cruise along the beach looking for a good sheltered spot.

Camping on the eastern beach behind a sand dune is fantastic - if you pick a good spot say near the Maheno wreck, you will not hear or see anyone at night.
Just yourselves andthe sound of the sea.

Peter

Ben. Although Fraser Island is a popular place it is very big and at this time of the year you shouldn't have any trouble getting a good campsite. Go north to Gympie, look for the signs and turn east to Rainbow Beach. Just as you come into Rainbow Beach township, look on the right for the ranger station where you can get your permit to traverse and your camping permit (they will cost you). If the station is closed, continue on and get your permit off the rangers on the island. Fuel up and turn north towards Inskip Point which is where I will be camped and where you catch the barge/s. Can't tell you the cost as the price fluctuates constantly. Make sure you have a low tide as the bottom of the island is almost impassable at high tide. The island is big so allow plenty of tide and time to get places. We always camp on the beach near Happy Valley as it is close to shops, fuel and fresh water and central to most of the island. There is also a private inland camp ground near the Maheno wreck and then there is national Park administered camp grounds at Lake McKenzie. Beach camping is the least crowded by far but you have to be self-sufficient and when travelling on the inland tracks watch out for the tour buses that you only meet on blind corners. You can do all your research and booking on the net and I'm sure you'll find your perfect camping spot. P.S There's no need to book the barge. You just pull up on the beach and wait for them to come to you from the other side or if you're lucky they will be sitting there waiting for a customer. Good luck and happy holidaying.

Hi Ben:

Good choice!! If it is busy I think you will only notice that on the beach run, and some tracks. Plenty of room to camp, both along the beach and in some excellent camp grounds.

If it is your first trip. let me suggest you grab a Hema map. On my last trip I also had a loan of an excellent book called "Fraser Island, the Essential Visitors Guide", which was brilliant. It may be worth considering. I go to Fraser at least once a year, but this book showed me some new places.

Drive carefully and watchfully .. I continue to be stunned at some people's stupidity ... as evidenced recently with a group of backpackers who rolled their (hired) troopie doing doughnuts on the beach.

Have fun .. there is no better place on this earth in my opinion.

Jack

BenT, unless you want to ruin your holiday stay away from Cathedral Beach resort as the owner ruined my Fraser Is sojourn

Theres heaps of nice places there where you can actually get looked after AND treated like a human being not an annoyanceSo many places to go!
So much work to do :0(

We were there 3 weeks ago and were going to stay there a few nights - her attitude has not improved - we left!!