K'gari (Fraser Island)
Just offshore from Hervey Bay lies K'gari — the island once known as Fraser Island, renamed in 2023 to its traditional Butchulla name meaning "paradise". It's the world's largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage wonder: rainforest growing on sand, mirror-clear lakes, a beach highway and shipwrecks. Hervey Bay is its calm-water gateway. Here's an overview and how to visit — with our full island guide a click away.
Lakes, beaches & rainforest on sand
K'gari's wonders are extraordinary: swim in the impossibly clear Lake McKenzie, cruise the 75 Mile Beach "highway", photograph the rusting Maheno shipwreck, float down freshwater Eli Creek, relax in the Champagne Pools and walk the towering rainforest of Central Station — all on an island made entirely of sand. Keep an eye out for wild dingoes (wongari). For a full guide to every sight, see our dedicated K'gari travel guide.
Ferries & tours from Hervey Bay
Vehicle and passenger ferries depart River Heads (just south of Hervey Bay) to the island's sheltered western side at Kingfisher Bay and Wanggoolba Creek. There are no sealed roads on K'gari — getting around means 4WD on sand — so most visitors take a guided day or multi-day tour from Hervey Bay, leaving the driving to an expert. It's the easy, relaxed way to see the island. Self-drivers need a high-clearance 4WD, experience and a vehicle permit.
How long to spend
A day tour hits the highlights but makes for a long day and only scratches the surface of this vast island. If you can, a two-day tour with a night on the island is far more rewarding — you'll see more, at a gentler pace, and catch the quiet magic once the day-trippers leave. Hervey Bay makes the perfect base either side of your island trip. See our K'gari highlights for what to prioritise.
K'gari (Fraser Island): your questions
Yes — K'gari (pronounced "gurri") is the name of the island formerly known as Fraser Island. It was officially renamed K'gari in 2023, restoring the traditional Butchulla name, which means "paradise". It's the world's largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for rainforest growing on sand, crystal-clear lakes and a beach that doubles as a highway. Hervey Bay is its main calm-water gateway.
Vehicle and passenger ferries (barges) depart from River Heads, just south of Hervey Bay, to Kingfisher Bay and Wanggoolba Creek on the island's calm western side (around 30–50 minutes). Most visitors go on a guided day tour or multi-day tour from Hervey Bay in a 4WD coach — the easiest way, with no need to drive the sand yourself. See our K'gari day tours and the full K'gari travel guide.
The big ones are the impossibly clear Lake McKenzie (a perched freshwater lake with white silica sand), the 75 Mile Beach sand highway, the rusting Maheno shipwreck, freshwater Eli Creek, the Champagne Pools and the rainforest of Central Station. You'll also likely see wild dingoes (wongari). For a deep dive into each, see our dedicated K'gari travel guide.
Yes — a day tour from Hervey Bay covers the island's greatest hits (typically Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, the Maheno and Eli Creek) in a big 4WD coach with a guide. It's a long, full day and only scratches the surface, so if you can, a two-day tour with an overnight on the island is far more rewarding. Either way, a guided tour saves you driving the challenging sand tracks.
Yes — there are no sealed roads on K'gari; getting around means driving sand tracks and the beach, which requires a high-clearance 4WD, experience and a vehicle access permit. For most visitors, a guided 4WD tour from Hervey Bay is the safer, easier and more relaxing choice — you sit back while an expert handles the sand and shares the island's stories. Self-drivers should be well prepared and check conditions and permits.