Fraser questions

Hi Mark

Best thing to do is to grab a map of Fraser. And check the tides. Some places are impassable at high tide. http://www.ntf.flinders.edu.au/

I hope your friend is going with someone with some experience.

Cheers

Jackablue

Is the Xtrail manual or auto.

The biggest problem they will face is cleatance of the centre hump on the inland tracks, I've seen a few Subys and CRVs with busted front spoilers, power to weight won't be a drama, so long as they let their tyres down.

The toughest places they will encounter are likely to be at either end of the barge.

If it were me I'd be looking at exploring around Cooloola/Rainbow as my first trip rather than heading over to Fraser. While help is available on the Island, it is not cheap. Fraser Island is not hard, but it is not for beginners either.

Please encourage them to ensure that they have RATED recovery points front and rear and that they carry a decent snatch strap, couple of shackles and a long handled shovel. I, for one, will not help anyone without rated recovery points and you will find more and more Island regulars of the same mind.

The Inskip barge was an easy on/off when we went there, the X-trail would be fine. We saw a few when we we there and I agree the inland tracks would be the tougher of the two, but the beach is easy and you just have to judge the tides, stay 3hrs either side of the low tide and you're laughing and let your tyres down to 20ish and take it easy, its a 80kmh speed limit on the beach, but there is lots of river outlets that sneak up on you so be watchful.

We tested the high tides but you'll get used to them and if you get caught closer to a high tide than you want to be then just pull into one of the areas like eurong orr whatever and wait, its only time. All of the "impassable" places have bypasses which we used most of the time and its really not all that hard, and theres heaps of stuff to see.

I dont know about the beach run up to inskip though, and with the amount of sand driving on Fraser I opted for the road anyways.Laterally Literal
Seriously Cerebral

The Inskip barge was an easy on/off when we went there, the X-trail would be fine. We saw a few when we we there and I agree the inland tracks would be the tougher of the two, but the beach is easy and you just have to judge the tides, stay 3hrs either side of the low tide and you're laughing and let your tyres down to 20ish and take it easy, its a 80kmh speed limit on the beach, but there is lots of river outlets that sneak up on you so be watchful.

We tested the high tides but you'll get used to them and if you get caught closer to a high tide than you want to be then just pull into one of the areas like eurong orr whatever and wait, its only time. All of the "impassable" places have bypasses which we used most of the time and its really not all that hard, and theres heaps of stuff to see.

I dont know about the beach run up to inskip though, and with the amount of sand driving on Fraser I opted for the road anyways.Laterally Literal
Seriously Cerebral

All the foregoing advice is good.

You may want to search the archives here regarding the air intake on the X-Trail, which I believe is set quite low. This could cause you to suck up water as you go through the various streams that cross the beach along the way. Not sure if yours is a diesel powered X-trail (I don't even know if they come in diesel), but it may be worthwile just making sure. Diesels and water don't mix unfortunately. Could be a snorkel job.

But you will love Fraser ... gotta be one of the best places on the planet.

JackNo trees were harmed in the making or sending of this message.
However a great number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

As others before have mentioned, I am not sure of the X-Trail's capabilities in sand, however with tyres down at around 20-25 psi for a start point I would think it would be fine. I wouldn't go there if you aren't an experianced sand driver.... it could prove costly. Also make sure you have the right recovery gear. Stay within 2-3 hours either side of LOW tide and you'll be fine. The trip up from the Tewantin barge along 28 mile beach is brilliant, much better than driving the blacktop to Gympie. Look for Leisha Track, just short of Double Island Point for the access across to Rainbow Beach, then up to Rainbow Beach township. You can pre-book your camping and Fraser travel permits and oick them all up from the wildlife office at Rainbow. The barge from Inskip is a short journey, Hook Point can be difficult depending on time of tide, but once around it, the Eastern Beach is a dream to drive on. All road rules apply and there is a 80 k speed limit. Watch out for the wash outs, these are like little creeks that run across the sand to the sea... some are deeper than others and have destroyed more than one front end due to driver going to fast!
Other than that.... have a good time, Fraser is an extremely beautiful island... take care of it!
Just my opinion
Cheers
Brian

Beware the rocks at Rainbow Beach .. LOW TIDE ONLY !!!!! And still check first.
Stop at the pub for a beer after you're safe and check the hall of idiot photos.
On average about 50 vehicles per annum shagged ... completely.

Think about it ... nearly 1 per week.
It's not really that bad but a great trap for dickwits.Fidei defensor

Rosco

last time i went to fraser island which is in fact the only time ive been to fraser island i went across the ferry at noosa and up the beach to the cherry venture . then i went across the dunes on( the track provided of course) and drove along the beach to rainbow beach . 1 . type in (ntf) on google and look up when low tide is on the national tidal fascility . 2 .know what your vehicle is capable of and turn around and go back the way you came if in doubt . 3 . carry a shovel and a high lift jack . (say you will give them the highlift jack if they get you out) . hope this helps .

Hi

Never been to fraser but the X trail will be fine along Tewah beach through to Rainbow beach. Even at high tide this beach is passable. In my opinion you would be better advised to take the freshwater track off the beach just before the Cherry venture over to rainbow. It is a much more interesting drive than the Leisha track and avoids Mudlo rocks. Once you get to rainbow take the the blacktop to Inskip. Its only about a 10 min drive and you will be doing plenty of beach driving on Fraser so will not miss out on anything plus it can get a little boggy at the top end where the barge leaves from as you go round the top.
Let the tyres down to around 20 Psi and you shouln't have any problems. I have seen subarus and ravs on the Freshwater track without a worry
Time to get to Inskip from the barge at tewantin? About two hours with a little site seeing ( you will want to stop)

Have fun
Jim

Hey there,
been to Frazer several times, and blieve that you should not have a problem actually driving on frazer, as i have seen many rav's travel up the beach. The only problem as many have mentioned will be clearance on the inland track, but as long as you take it easy, lett tyre pressure down to about 18 - 20psi and have a shovel you shouldn't have a problem. I personally would suggest to take the black top to the barges at inskip point being a little under experienced, and this way it will allow you to organize camping and vehicle permits, confirm tides etc the same day.

I would recommend that your friend goes to ARB or TJM and purchases a good recovery snatch strap, and confirms that there is a rated recovery point on the vehicle, if not they should be able to help install one for for about $80 - $100 it's a small amount of money the pay for piece of mind, and most of the people on the island are willing to help tow private vehicles out. Avoid the tourist back packers troopies - (to much trouble).

With a vehicle that is so light, you chouldn't have to to much problems getting bogged, or a bit of digging and a push should get you out. Anyway my best adivise is take it easy driving up the beach, as some of the freshwater inlets can get quiet deep, and read the tides, as without a low range 4WD could cause a problem, also travelling at low tide, you should be able to pass most of the fresh water inlets, without worrying about there depth and the air intake.

Anyway, if they follow these simple rules, they should have a fantastic holiday, and make sure they visit lake mackenzie - (unreal).

PS I would recommend them to go to there local camping store, 4wd store and pick up a map of the island, they are alot more detailed then what you get with your permits, and well worth it. And maybe a 20ltr gerry can. Fuel is about $1.20 a ltre - topup at rainbow.

Happy camping....:)

Mark, there is another thread in here somewhere about X-Trails on Fraser. Do a search.

The advice so far has been good, and sensible.

Your friends should head to the nearest legally accessible beach for some practice. Get them to read as many articles on beach driving as possible. You'll find some good advice in the "On the Road" section on this site.

Mudlo Rocks will be their first real danger spot. Being begginers they should no attemp to pass these rocks at anything other than bottom-low tide. There have been many a disaster there.

The X-Trail will handle most of Fraser well. They are excellent vehicles on the sand. As previously warned, however, there are some inland tracks that will challenge the X-Trail's clearance. A sensible, cautious approach and slow speed should be all that's required to avoid any damage.

For additional info, have a look at the overlanderSmile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)