Fraser Island - Staying Safe - Pelican 4wd Bookings

Staying safe - Pelican 4wd Bookings - Road rules Apply

Don't let your trip turn to tragedy—drive safely. Photo: Queensland Government

Fraser Island beaches change every day—be on the lookout for washouts and take care at creek crossings. Photo: Queensland Government

Driving at high tide is dangerous. Don't place your passengers, yourself or your vehicle at risk. Photo: Queensland Government

Be dingo-safe. Always stay close (within arms' reach) to your children. Lock food and rubbish bags inside your vehicle at night. Photo: Queensland Government

Fraser Island beaches can be risky places for children. Stay close to them. Photo: Queensland Government

Read all information

Safety is our concern, but your responsibility. QPWS brochures, signs and web pages offer you safety information—please read it and heed it.

Be aware:

Fraser Island has a network of tracks and roads and a very long eastern beach used by pedestrians, fishers, wildlife and vehicles.
Some roads are one-way only, some are shared zones—vehicles must give way to pedestrians—and some are management tracks with no public access.
Look for traffic signs on the upper beach—the beach is considered a road where vehicles are permitted.
Safety and regulatory signs warn you of the dangers, rules and regulations, and ways to help conserve the special features of Fraser Island.
Walking track entrances, camping areas and day-use areas have information and orientation signs, including site-specific interpretive materials.
'Aircraft landing zone' signs are located at either end of the designated landing (and take off) areas for the authorised small planes that are permitted to land on the island.

Dingo safety

Fraser Island's dingoes are wild and unpredictable. They are a protected species on Fraser Island.

Be dingo-safe!

never feed dingoes.
Always stay within arm’s reach of children, even small teenagers.
Walk in groups.
Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction.
Camp in fenced areas when possible.
Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat).
Never store food or food containers in tents.
Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.
Plan carefully to be dingo-safe—follow the guidelines given in brochures (PDF, 8.3M) and on signs.

It is an offence to:

Feed dingoes
Leave food and rubbish unsecured—hanging rubbish, food, fish, bait or berley from cars, trees or tents is considered an offence.

Rangers patrol regularly and you will be fined for doing the wrong thing.

Be dingo-safe at the rubbish bins

QPWS provides waste transfer stations—large fenced compounds with bulk rubbish and recycling bins—at certain locations across the island. They are marked on the Fraser Island map (PDF, 267K). Although the stations are fenced, please:

Never go alone or at night.
Never leave rubbish lying around—bin everything!
Never overfill bins—if a bin is full, use another.

Important: report dingo encounters

Please report all negative or close encounters with dingoes to the nearest ranger as soon as you can. Alternatively, phone (07) 4127 9150 or email dingo.ranger@npsr.qld.gov.au.

Driving safely

All Queensland road rules apply.
Fraser Island beaches and sandy inland roads are suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles only.
Engage 4WD and lock hubs just before you start driving on the sand.

Also note: To keep visitors safe, new laws have been introduced for 4WD hire vehicles. See the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) website for more information.

Don't turn your trip into tragedy.

Don't take stupid risks! Reckless driving and silly pranks have led to crashes.

Slower is safer! Passengers have suffered serious spinal injuries in vehicles travelling too fast for the road or beach conditions.

Stay alert when driving on Fraser Island.

Slow down when passing pedestrians and beachgoers, especially around the Maheno wreck, as they often cannot hear approaching vehicles above the sound of the surf and wind.
Slow down and follow the vehicle ahead at a safe distance.
Stay alert for oncoming traffic, especially when approaching corners.
Avoid driving at night because hazards are so much more difficult to see and rescuers will have more difficulty finding you if something goes wrong.

Passengers, if the driver makes you feel unsafe in the vehicle—say something.

Beach hazards

Some beach hazards are extremely dangerous. Stay alert!—don't drive when you're tired or hung-over.

Deep washouts can happen at anytime, particularly after heavy rain and rough seas—approach wash-outs slowly!
Wave action can expose dangerous rocks, sometimes after just one high tide—use bypass roads if in any doubt.
Weather conditions and tides can wash up logs and erode the dunes, leaving trees and roots exposed.

Maheno shipwreck site

This is a popular site, with high traffic flow, many pedestrians wandering around and, at times, congested parking areas.

This is a beach pedestrian area—strictly 40km/hr speed limit.
Indicate your intention to pull over.
Park your vehicle safely out of the traffic lanes.
Take care when walking on the beach as vehicles are difficult to hear over the sound of wind and surf.
Keep children close.
Be aware that access is prohibited (PDF, 125K) within 3 metres of the Maheno shipwreck.
Stay alert! Popular sites attract dingoes, which sometimes run erratically through traffic and parked cars.

Tides, wind and swell

Conditions can be too dangerous for beach driving, when high tides, sea swells and onshore winds combine. A combination of all or sometimes only two of these can result in deep salt water covering the entire beach.

You can find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Waves can be washing up to and sometimes into the foredunes, leaving no beach to drive on.
Your vehicle's engine might stall if you drive through deep water.
Once your vehicle stops it can quickly sink in the soft sand, get washed away or be rolled over by the swell and waves.
The foredunes are often soft and unstable, collapsing easily under the weight of a vehicle, causing it to roll-over.
Your vehicle may be seriously damaged or lost to the tide as help is hours away.

Vehicle roll-overs can lead to serious injury or death to you or your passengers.

Avoid tragedy!

Never drive into conditions that can endanger your life.
Never drive along the foredunes in the hope to avoid the high tide waters, as the dunes can collapse and your vehicle could roll-over.

Plan well!

Check weather forecasts.
Plan to drive around low tide times.
Avoid beach driving during the two hours either side of high tide.

Aircraft

Authorised aircraft have designated landing zones on the eastern beach. These are signposted and marked with orange cone markers along the beach.

Drivers must give way to planes.

Planes need to land on the harder sand close to the water's edge.
Vehicles should move to the upper beach, but not onto vegetation.
Drivers must pay attention to aircraft traffic controller directions.

No-vehicle zones

Some areas are no-vehicle zones. See the Fraser Island map (PDF, 267K) for details.

Be warned!

Do not enter areas along the western beach, which are closed to vehicle access.
The ever-changing weed banks that lie buried under the sand along the western beach, and occasionally on the eastern beach, deceive even experienced drivers.
Your vehicle might sink quickly.
Help and vehicle recovery machines (tow trucks) can take many hours to arrive.
Always have at least one other 4WD accompany you when driving in suitable areas on the western beach or park and enjoy a walk instead.

Best beach driving times

Best beach driving times are two hours either side of low tide.
Avoid driving during the two hours either side of high tide, as some areas may be more affected by tidal activity and onshore winds.
Avoid travelling at night—hazards are much more difficult to see.

For up-to-date information check the Fraser Island conditions report (PDF, 1.3M) and park alerts.

Normal road rules apply

All inland roads, vehicle tracks and beaches are designated roads and Queensland road rules apply.

If you are planning to drive, plan not to drink alcohol and never take illegal drugs.

Be aware!

Police patrol all areas of Fraser Island.
Speed checks and breath testing can happen at any time of day.
Maximum allowable blood alcohol level for drivers in Australia is 0.05 (0.00 for those on a licence equivalent to a learner or provisional licence).
Police conduct random drug testing for illegal substances, such as marijuana, ecstasy, speed and ice.
Look for speed signs on the upper dunes of beaches.

Seatbelts

Everyone must wear seat belts when travelling in the vehicle—it’s the law!

A driver, and any passenger over the age of 16, breaking this law risks a $300 fine and (for Australians) three demerit points.
The driver will also be fined an additional $300 for every passenger not wearing a seatbelt, regardless of the passenger’s age.

Giving way

Most of the roads are narrow and carry two-way traffic.

All standard Queensland give-way rules apply.
When safe, give way to buses, trucks and to vehicles travelling downhill or towing trailers.
Passing bays are frequent—if possible, always drive forwards (not reverse) into them.
Give way to aircraft—aircraft landing zones are signposted along the beach.
All wildlife is protected—approach dingoes, resting shorebirds and all other wildlife slowly, and carefully drive around them.

Speed limits on the island

80km/hr (maximum) on the eastern beach
30km/hr on inland roads
40km/hr in beach pedestrian areas
50km/hr on Hook Point inland road
10km/hr in shared-use areas
A safe driving speed may be lower than the signed speed limit.

Driving hints

Driving on sand is very different to driving on bitumen roads.

Always drive to suit the conditions.
Slow down and follow vehicles at a safe distance.
Only use indicators when overtaking, turning or pulling out from a parked position.
Keep to the left of oncoming vehicles at all times.

Creek crossings

Large volumes of fresh water erode creek banks and can leave deep washouts across the beach. These are dangerous when vehicles hit them at speed—roll-overs, severe spinal injuries and deaths have occurred in these circumstances.

Look out for washouts and slow down!

Be especially careful when crossing Eli, Wyuna and Coongul creeks.
Before crossing any creek, if safe, walk through it to check the depth of water and softness of sand.
Never stop your vehicle midstream; your vehicle may sink or stall.
Never attempt to cross Wathumba Creek or Moon Point estuaries.

Tyre pressure

Reduced tyre pressure, within manufacturer’s specifications, helps to maintain traction on inland tracks and soft sand, particularly at Indian Head bypass and further north. Select low gears for soft, dry sand.

If you choose to reduce your tyre pressure, be aware that it can affect your vehicle's braking capacity:

Avoid turning sharply or braking suddenly, as tyres with reduced air pressure can come off their rims.
Re-inflate your tyres to resume speed on harder sand, bitumen and for driving on the mainland.

Avoid top-loading

Top-loaded vehicles roll easily.

Pack light, pack right and stow gear low inside your vehicle.
Distribute your load evenly and do not overload your vehicle—the weight of passengers plus gear must be under your load rating.

Since 1 April 2010, it is illegal to load luggage on the roof of a 4WD hire vehicle. All hire 4WD vehicles must:

carry no more than eight occupants, including the driver.
store all luggage securely inside the vehicle (not on the roof).

Entering beach camping areas

Stay on the formed tracks when entering or leaving beach camping areas.
Go slow—pedestrians and wildlife also use these access tracks.
It is illegal to drive over or park on sand dunes or foredunes.

Towing a trailer?

Conditions at some barge landings and on inland tracks, including Indian Head bypass, can be soft and boggy, making it difficult to tow trailers or camper trailers.

Be aware:

Caravans are not suitable for Fraser Island.
Off-road camper trailers must have high clearance and be suitable for the vehicle towing them.

Your type of 4WD, its clearance and load size will effect where you can go on the island. Your sand driving experience and the beach or track conditions will determine accessibility and driving or towing comfort during your visit to Fraser Island.

Visiting the lakes

Lakes are popular areas for dingoes too. Use the tables in the day-use areas for picnics, because picnics on a lake shore or the beach put food at 'dingo level'. This can attract dingoes and tempt them to steal your food, sometimes aggressively.

Take no food or drinks, except drinking water, to lake shores.
Use fenced picnic areas where provided.
When you have finished eating, pack everything including any rubbish back inside your vehicle, not on top.
Don't leave scraps or dish cloths lying around.
Lock your vehicle before going to the lake.

Danger! (Lake Wabby)

Running, rolling, boarding, sliding and jumping down the sand dunes can cause serious injury or death.
Spinal injuries have occurred when performing these activities in the past.

Walking safely

Stay with your children at all times.
Don't leave children alone in a tent.
Stay on formed walking tracks rather than taking shortcuts.
Wear sturdy footwear, not thongs.
Walk in groups.
Avoid walking in the hottest part of the day.
Carry sufficient drinking water.
Protect yourself from the sun.
Look for and observe all signs.

Walking over sandblows

Walking over sandblows or up steep sections of tracks can be very tiring. Some people have suffered fatigue and heat exhaustion on hot days.

Take enough drinking water.
Walk in the cooler time of day.
Wear sun protection, especially a hat.

Indian Head

A restricted access area (PDF, 92K) has been declared over the eastern cliff top area of Indian Head, Fraser Island.

Access to the area beyond the markers is prohibited without a permit or written approval.
Penalties apply if you go beyond the markers.

Long distance walking

You should prepare well if undertaking a long distance walk such as the Fraser Island Great Walk and ensure you have:

a map
compass
personal locator beacon (PLB)
food
drinking water
appropriate clothing and sun protection
first-aid kit
camping permit.

Safety is your responsibility:

Advise a reliable friend or family member of your itinerary and contingency plan if things go wrong.
Be aware that this person, not the rangers, is responsible for alerting police if rescues are needed.
Always check track conditions just before you start.
Do not ignore track closure signs.

Sand slips are silent

Exposed sand dunes and sand cliffs are unstable and can collapse without warning. Serious injury or death can result. Don't assume that this won't happen when you or your children are there.

Do not toboggan down sand dunes; you can suffer serious neck injuries.
Never climb, slide down or dig into sand dunes or sand cliffs.

Water safety

People have suffered serious injuries in water-related accidents. There are no patrolled swimming areas on Fraser Island. Avoid tragedy.

Always stay with children when near water.
Do not swim in the ocean as it is not patrolled and there may be rips and sharks.
Do not dive into water. Serious injuries have occurred.
Never run, roll, board or slide down the sand dune at Lake Wabby; it can result in serious and life-long spinal injuries or death.
Stay away from rocks. Surf and swell can quickly wash you away.

Also see:

Marine stingers warning notice (PDF, 133K)
more Marine stingers information.

Be croc wise and report crocodile sightings

There are confirmed sightings of an estuarine (saltwater) crocodile in the Mary River and credible reports of crocodile sightings in the Great Sandy Strait and western coastline of Fraser Island.

Crocodiles are a native animal and protected in Queensland. The accepted habitat range of the estuarine crocodile in Queensland extends from Torres Strait south to the Boyne River, just south of Gladstone. However there have been records of estuarine crocodiles as far south as the Logan River Brisbane (circa 1902).

If you sight a crocodile:

call 1300 130 372 immediately
online contact: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP).

For your own safety ‘Be croc wise’:

Do not approach crocodiles and stay well away from a 'crocodile slide'.
Never feed, provoke, harass or interfere with a crocodile.
Stay alert when launching or retrieving your boat, fishing or boating.
Avoid entering the water.
When fishing stand at least a few metres back from the water's edge.
Never clean fish or discard fish or food scraps near the water's edge, camp sites or boat ramps.
Camp at least 50m from the water's edge.

Crocodiles are only one of a number of dangerous marine animals, including sharks and stingers potentially found in this region. Following common sense and croc wise rules will reduce the risk of contact with crocodiles.

Read more about safety in parks and forests.

Fire prohibitions and bans

Both prohibitions and bans carry heavy penalties for non-compliance. Be extra vigilant with fuel stoves, gas lights and lanterns at all times.

Fire prohibitions

A permanent fire prohibition on open campfires is in place on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) estate on Fraser Island, except in the QPWS-provided fire rings at Dundubara and Waddy Point camping areas.

Total fire bans

During high fire danger periods, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) may declare a total fire ban, which means no fires are permitted anywhere on private or public lands. See Queensland Fire and Rescue Service for more information.

Bushfire safety

Bushfires can pose a threat to walkers and campers. They can occur without warning, so be aware of, and prepared for, the dangers.

If you are caught in a bushfire:

follow the track to the nearest road, beach, lake or creek for refuge.
large logs, a ditch or burnt ground can also provide protection.
avoid areas of heavy fuel, such as deep leaf litter.
stay low to the ground where the air is coolest and contains the least smoke.

Be aware!

In extreme conditions, roads, walking tracks and camping areas may be closed at short notice for your safety.
Rangers also carry out planned fuel reduction burning.
If you see a fire, please alert a QPWS office, a ranger or phone Triple Zero (000) as soon as possible.
Report arson to the police immediately.

Also see: Safety video clips and read the guidelines on Safety in parks and forests.

Looking after the park

Keep Fraser Island clean

Don't use soaps, toothpastes, skin and sun creams, personal insect repellents and detergents in the lakes and streams.
Use toilets if provided, as human waste in lakes and streams is unhealthy and promotes unnatural levels of algal growth.
Avoid spreading pests and diseases. Don't bring animals, plants, plant materials or soil to the island.
Be sure to bin your cigarette butts and all little bits of litter.
Animals, plants, bush timber or soil cannot be brought to Fraser Island without the permission of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Toileting

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) recommends bringing and using a portable toilet when camping in areas without toilet facilities.

You must bring your own portable toilet when camping at the Cornwells group camping area.

Never empty portable toilet waste into QPWS toilets, or onto the ground. Refer to the Fraser Island map(PDF, 267K) for portable waste disposal facility locations.

If bush toileting is absolutely necessary, please:

bury your waste and toilet paper at least 50cm deep and at least 50m from creeks and lakes, or as signposted.
bag and bin all sanitary items and nappies.
be dingo-safe on Fraser Island. Never go alone.

Also see: Bush toileting practices—a short information video.

Beach camping—leave no trace

Camp behind the foredunes where permitted.
Camp at least 50m from streams and lakes.
Use existing camp sites.
Avoid digging trenches.
Don't trample or park on vegetation.
Be responsible with rubbish disposal.

Recycling and rubbish disposal

If you can, please take your rubbish off the island with you. This saves energy.
If you cannot do this, dispose of it at one of the waste transfer stations provided and marked on the Fraser Island map (PDF, 267K).
Please do not throw rubbish into the bush.
Never bury or burn rubbish.
Be dingo-safe at the rubbish bins.

All Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service waste transfer stations have separate yellow-top recycling bins. Please do the right thing and only place the correct recyclables in these bins.

You can help.

Reduce your packaging before you go to the island.
Bring products with lightweight, crushable packaging (e.g. aluminium cans).
Avoid bringing glass.
Separate your recyclables from general waste; whole glass bottles, plastic containers, clean paper, aluminium and steel cans, and cardboard can all be recycled.
If a bin is full, please use another; never leave rubbish lying around the rubbish bins.
For more information watch Reduce and recycle rubbish—a short information video.

You must not leave hazardous waste in or around the bins.

Chemicals, batteries, used oil, paints, tyres and materials containing asbestos are not accepted at the bins.
Take these materials off the island and dispose of them properly.
Penalties apply for illegal dumping.

Fish right

Keep fish, bait and berley in sealed containers away from dingoes.
Bury fish remains and unused bait just below high tide mark—dig a deep hole and cover the fish scraps with at least 50cm of sand.
Bury fish remains when dingoes are not around, so they don't associate finding the remains with people.
Dispose of used bait bags and unwanted fishing line in bins.
Fish cleaning is prohibited in all camping areas.
All freshwater fish are protected on Fraser Island—fishing or collecting bait in lakes and streams is not permitted.

Keep wildlife wild

Do not feed or leave food available for animals.
Our food does not suit wildlife—it can make them sick.
Plastic bags kill animals. Bin your bags or don't bring them.
For more information watch Keep wildlife wild—a short information video.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting the environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Fraser Island is a World Heritage-listed area managed by the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing's (NPSR) Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). The Great Sandy Region Management Plan 1994–2010 guides the management of the area. The island is protected to conserve its natural and cultural resources. Most of the island is a national park protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992and the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 to the low water mark. There are some freehold areas, such as townships.

Tourism information links

Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre
www.ourfrasercoast.com.au External link icon

227 Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road, Urraween, Qld 4655
Open: Daily 9am to 5pm

Closed: Christmas day and Good Friday

Hervey Bay Airport Visitor Information Centre
www.ourfrasercoast.com.au External link icon

Airport Terminal, Don Adams Drive, Hervey Bay Qld 4655
Opening times subject to flight time tables.

Closed: Christmas day

For more information about:

Fraser Island tourism see: www.visitfrasercoast.com
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.

Further information

QPWS discovery and journey guides provide information that is critical for your visit Queensland’s national parks. For areas in the Fraser Coast region, download:

Camping bookings

Permit refunds

Refunds are granted in extenuating circumstances, but only if requested before the permit commences. To find out more download the refund operational policy (PDF, 88K).

Email: camping.refundenquiries@npsr.qld.gov.au

Useful contacts

All emergencies: phone Triple Zero (000).

Try 112, if you have no reception on your mobile phone.

Non-urgent calls

Police (Eurong): (07) 4127 9288

Ambulance: 13 12 33

The ambulance station at Happy Valley is manned 7 days a week from 7am to 5pm.
Outside of these hours the officers are on call (24hrs a day).
If the ambulance station is closed (due to a call out or emergency), contact can be made via the telephone on the side of the station building.

Mechanical assistance

Eurong: 0427 279 173

Tow truck services

Eurong: (07) 4127 9449 and 0428 353 164
Eurong: (07) 4127 9437

Taxi service

Eurong: (07) 4127 9188 and 0429 379 188

Barges

Inskip to Fraser Island south: No bookings required

Enquiries to 'Manta Ray' barge company: (07) 5486 3935 or 0418 872 599

River Heads to Fraser Island west: Bookings essential.

Enquiries to 'Fraser Island Barges' company: 1800 227 437

Air services

Air Fraser (Hervey Bay) (07) 4125 3600

Marine strandings

Phone 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)