K’Gari (Fraser Island) lies adjacent to the mainland, east of Maryborough. High clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles are required as the island consists entirely of sand. All-wheel-drive vehicles and caravans are not recommended. Vehicle access is by barge (ferry) only.
QPWS vehicle access and camping permits are required before you enter. See back page for permit information.
To access Waddy Lodge from the South
Turn off the Bruce Highway at Gympie and follow the signs (or your GPS) to the township of Rainbow Beach - about 240km or a three-hour drive north of Brisbane.
From the Rainbow Beach town centre, head to Inskip Point along Clarkson Drive. This takes about 15 minutes.
The Manta Ray barge operates from around 6am to 5.30pm every day to carry vehicles to Hook Point, on the southern tip of the island. Charges apply (about $130 return in 2021), but bookings are not necessary.
Once off the barge on Hook Point, you have 2 options:
Turn east and drive around Hook Point and then up the eastern beach (about 100km) to Indian Head (preferred provided the tide is right); or
Take the inland road up to Dili Village, then drive up the eastern beach to Indian Head (not preferred because the Inland Track is very rough)
See below for instructions from Indian Head to Waddy Point
To access Waddy Lodge from the West
Turn off the Bruce Highway at Maryborough and head towards Hervey Bay. Turn right at the large roundabout onto Booral Road and follow the signs to River Heads or Fraser Island barges. This is about 300km or approximately 4 hours drive from Brisbane. Commercial vehicle (and passenger) barges run at set times from River Heads to either Kingfisher Bay Resort or Wanggoolba Creek barge landing on the western side of the island. Advance bookings are essential. Ph: 1800 227 437.
To get to Waddy Point from these landing points, drive across the island on the marked tracks through Central Station to Eurong and then up the beach to Indian Head.
From Indian Head to Waddy lodge
Take the bypass around Indian Head, and travel along the short beach to Middle Rock - the location of Champagne Pools.
Once past Champagne Pools you are on the track to Waddy Point / Orchid Beach.
At the intersection near Orchid Beach, you can choose to turn right to Waddy Point, or go on to Orchid.
If you take the right track to Waddy Point, you will come out at the ranger station – turn left and we are a hundred metres along the beach at the “No Entry” sign.
If you go to Orchid Beach, you can take the first beach access on the right – before the town – and you will arrive on the beach a couple of km west of Waddy Point. Drive along the beach toward Waddy Point, and you will see the lodge on the hill next to the ranger station.
Carefully make your way across to the camping ground, and then up to Waddy Lodge.
On the beach at Waddy Point, be very careful of the big deep washouts on the beach and access tracks. These really are dangerous, so always walk through any water crossing to avoid extreme sadness.