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Wanyari, Orchid Beach, Fraser Island - getting to the property.

Fraser Island is located North of Rainbow Beach and East of Hervey Bay in Queensland, Australia. You can see the island very well on Google Maps and we’ve produced a map as a PDF (only 85k in size) for you so that you can find the property once you get to the island.

Of course, a 4WD is essential for getting around on Fraser Island as travel on the island is on sandy tracks and the beach. If you need to hire one there are plenty of hire places in Rainbow Beach , Hervey Bay , the Sunshine Coast , etc. We also recommend buying a detailed map of the island.

You will need to get a permit to travel on the island. These can be obtained online through www.epa.qld.gov.au or from one of the National Parks offices listed below. These must be obtained before you arrive on the island;

Orchid Beach is accessed by 4WD along the eastern beach of Fraser Island. You may access Fraser Island from either Rainbow Beach to the south or Hervey Bay and River Heads to the west. Before beginning your journey, check the tide times -(available for Waddy Point, Fraser Island at the Bureau of Meteorology website). It is safest and most comfortable to travel up the Island within 2 hours either side of low tide while there is as much hard beach as possible and lower drop-offs at creek margins.

From the South via Noosa, Tewantin, Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach

While this is a spectacular drive up the beach past Teewah and the ‘Coloured Sands’, you should ring the Ranger’s office at Rainbow Beach (ph: 07 5486 3160) first to make sure the rocks at Rainbow are passable at the low tide. These conditions change a lot and the rocks are often impassable.

To take this route, access Tewantin from either the Noosa area or Cooroy and take Moorindi Street down to the Noosa River to get the vehicle barge across to the north shore. You can get your Fraser permit at the office just before the barge, or wait until you get to Rainbow Beach.

Follow the road to the beach access and lower your tyre pressure to at least 20psi before driving onto the sand. Follow the beach north past the secluded Teewah village and you will enter Cooloola National Park. Keep driving right up the beach and take the bypass track which cuts across the back of Double Island Point onto Rainbow Beach. Follow this beach around into the town of Rainbow Beach where you can get fuel, last minute supplies and your permit for the island. Allow an hour to travel from the Noosa River up to Rainbow Beach and then another half hour for getting your permit / supplies and driving out to Inskip Point to get the barge to the island. If you can, its best to arrive at the barge an hour before the low tide for the easiest run up the beach. Allow 20 minutes for the barge. Ask the barge attendant whether you can get around Hook Point (not usually a problem at low tide) and if not, take the inland track. Once you’re on the island, allow 2 hours to get up to Orchid Beach. Follow the eastern beach all the way to Indian Head, take the track around it, follow the next small beach along and take the track up past Middle Rocks, following this track for approximately 6km into Orchid Beach.

From the south via Gympie and Rainbow Beach

Use this option instead of taking the beach route from Tewantin (if the rocks at Rainbow are impassable or if you would rather travel on a bitumen road until you get to the island). The trip from Gympie to Rainbow takes about an hour. Get your permit at the QPWS office in Rainbow just before town on the right as you come in. As for the above route, allow about half an hour in Rainbow getting your permit and fuel and driving to Inskip Point. Lower your tyre pressure to at least 20psi before driving out onto the sand to get the barge. Allow about 20 minutes for the barge (the trip itself is only about 10 minutes, but you may have to wait for the barge to come back). Ask the barge attendant whether you can get around Hook Point (not usually a problem on low tide) and if not, take the inland track. Once you’re on the island, allow 2 hours to get up to Orchid Beach. Follow the eastern beach all the way to Indian Head, take the track around it, follow the next small beach along and take the track up past Middle Rocks, following this track for approximately 6km to Orchid Beach.

From the west via Hervey Bay and River Heads

The barge takes longer from this side of the island. Allow about 3 hours all up for barge trip and driving up to Orchid Beach from here. Take the barge from River Heads to either Kingfisher Bay or Wanggoolba Creek. Wanggoolba has probably the best track over to the eastern beach. Follow the track to the eastern beach and you will come out at Eurong. Turn left (north) up the beach and follow the beach all the way up to Indian Head, take the track around the headland, follow the next small beach along to Middle Rocks and follow the track approximately 6 km into Orchid Beach.

Directions once you get to Orchid Beach

You will reach a “T” intersection with a sign for the shop when you have arrived at Orchid Beach. Turn left and keep going straight past the turn to the shop. Turn right into Eliza Ave and keep going until you reach a T intersection of Wathumba Road. Turn left and then take the next left into Euenmundi Court. Wanyari is the first house on the left and uses two driveways.

Driving tips

Road rules apply on the beach and tracks. Always keep to the left and use your indicator if there is any confusion. Drive slowly past children and fishermen as they may not hear your car. Watch carefully for creeks as the drop offs at the edges can be dangerous. Particluarly take care at Eli Creek. The crossing at Indian Head usually requires a bit of a run up. Look out for pedestrians. Its a good idea to follow other tyre tracks where possible. Lower your tyre pressure to 15 - 20psi and you are a lot less likely to get bogged. If you find yourself on a ‘false beach’ - a sand bar running parallel with the water with a lagoon between it and the main beach, turn around and go back out the way you came in. The edges of these can be very soft.

Barges from Inskip Point

There is no need to book these barges as they run continually back and forth between about 6.30am and 5.00pm. We use the locally owned green Manta Ray; www.fraserislandbarge.com.au Phone 07 5486 8888 or 0418 872 599 or UHF channel 7. The Rainbow Venture also runs from here; Phone 07 4194 9222 or 1800 227 437.

Barges from Hervey Bay / River Heads

These barges run to a timetable and need to be booked in advance. For rates, bookings and timetables call 07 4125 4444 or 1800 249 122 or have a look at Fraser Island’s website or the website for Hervey Bay.

Flying to Orchid Beach

Orchid Beach may be accessed by air from several centres including Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach and the Sunshine Coast. There is a small airstrip in front of the shop at Orchid. Try Air Fraser Island or phone on 1800 247 992 or 07 4125 3600. Or try Air Adventures website

What to bring