Should I Visit Fraser Island from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay?
When people ask about visiting Fraser Island, they often get stumped on whether to access the largest sand island in the world exiting from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. There is plenty to consider, and we’ve nutted out the pros and cons of departing from both destinations! Whether you’re booking a tour, tag-along or are self-driving, here is what you need to know before planning your trip to Fraser Island.
Departing from Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is well known as being one of the best places to go whale watching during their annual migration. Another bonus is Hervey Bay has a regional airport, so if you are flying around Australia instead of taking a bus or hiring a car or campervan, then this is a great option for you. All tours, tag-along and hire options usually include all your permits. Below is a list of various tour options for visiting Fraser Island from Hervey Bay so you can compare:
Click here for Tours and Tag-Alongs Departing from Hervey Bay
Click here for 4X4 Hire Options from Hervey Bay
Self-driving from Hervey Bay:
For those driving their own vehicle over, you’ll have to take the barge and pre-book your permits before heading over to Fraser. From Hervey Bay, you will depart from the King Fisher Bay Ferry at River Heads Road (although it is signed it may appear in some GPS navigation systems as ‘Ariadne Road’). There is a ticket hut at the end of the peninsula, otherwise you can book online. For more information on self-driving to Fraser Island click here.
Departing from Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is the closest access point to Fraser Island from Brisbane and Noosa, and the quaint little seaside town has quite a bit to experience in its own right prior to travelling to Fraser Island. There is horseback riding, turtle or dolphin kayak discovery tours, and if you're mobile, visiting the incredible Carlo Sandblow should be on your bucket list. Access to the island is tidal dependent here, as you land directly onto 75 Mile Beach, so make sure you bring a copy of the tide times and plan accordingly.
Click here for Tours and Tag-Alongs Departing from Rainbow Beach
Click here for 4X4 Hire Options from Rainbow Beach
Self-driving from Rainbow Beach:
For those driving their own vehicle over, you’ll have to take the barge and pre-book your permits before heading over to Fraser. From Rainbow Beach, make your way to Inskip point to catch the Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge. For more information on self-driving to Fraser Island click here.
Other Destination departure points
While the two departure points above are the closest to the great sandy island of Fraser, you may find yourself with time or mobility constrictions and therefore wish to depart from somewhere more convenient for your East Coast travels. There are several tours that offer departures from Brisbane and Noosa for example, but you just need to bear in mind that these tours involve much more travel time to the island.
For everything you need to know about getting to Fraser Island, click here!
