22 August 2023 – This is the new update from our August 2023 trip to Fraser. I’m adding pictures from this trip to the trip posted below that we took in 2019, four years ago.
This trip was just a nothing special, low key, relaxing three days off to do some touring and relaxing. We did a sunset cruise, a 4-wheeling adventure, and a whale watching cruise. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Getting there:
Our first day there we did a sunset cruise. It was the first of three events we had scheduled. Tomorrow is a 4 wheel drive and Thursday is the Whale watching cruise.
The 4 Wheeling was again a lot of fun. Saw mostly the same places but had a good time.
Our last day there we did a whale watching tour. Saw a great deal of activity and had a great morning. We sailed up along the west side of the island all the way to the top and Platypus bay. Humpback whales come here in the winter, which is quite warm, for the Mom’s to fatten up their new calves. By spring they migrate down to Antarctica to enjoy the cool waters down there. We saw males, females and babies. Great show.
That was our whale watching cruise … great fun, lots a whales. …. was also the end of our week in K’Gari. Great time, great place. 2019 Visit below.
19 Feb 2019 – Nancy and I are in Australia visiting the family and staying at “The Folly” once more. The 21st is our Anniversary so we have decided to motor North from the Gold Coast to the Sun Coast and take a ferry over to Fraser Island. Just a little back ground: Fraser Island is the biggest sand Island in the world. It has miles of beaches, fresh water lakes, a rain forest, and a bunch of interesting wildlife. Just Google it if you want to learn more about it. It’s about a four hour drive for us to get to the ferry, a 45 minute ride across and we are staying at The Kings Bay Resort on Fraser Island. The plan is to rent a 4Wheel Drive vehicle on the 21st and explore the Island, bottom to top and side to side.
20 Feb 2019 – Ok … So we took the M1 from the Gold Coast, through Brisbane, up past the Sun Coastand made it to Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is a quaint, older town across from Fraser Island, right where the mainland takes a skip to the West. A fairly big town that features a beautiful beach the runs across the Northern edge of the town. The beach is long and narrow and features sandy areas, natural areas with walkways and hiking trails, restaurants, tennis courts, camp grounds, and sundry other facilities. Across the street are many apartment houses, hotels, motels, bars, and restaurants. Bike rentals, jeep rentals, souvenier shops and many other beach associated commercial venrures. All that seemed to be missing was the hustle and bustle of the chaotic beach scene like Surfers Paradise. Everyone seems relaxed and not in a big hurry. Kinda nice!! Leaving Hervey Bay we drove a little ways South to River Leads where the mainland reception center for Kingfish Bay Resorts is located. They checked us in, booked us on the bus and ferry, and I parked the car in their secure parking facility. Soon we boarded the bus and were taken to the Kingfish Bay resort ferry.
Kingfish Bay Resort Bus
Kingfish Bay Resort Ferry
A short 45 minutes later we were docking at Fraser Island’s west side. A Disney type shuttle was waiting to take us to the reception desk, our rooms, and our vacation. Following is a number of pictures from our adventure … summary at the end.
The Dock from the Ferry to the Island
It’s Good to be Welcomed
Nancy with our Rental Jimney (Great fun!)
Places to Go and Things to See (It’s a BIG Place!)
Crystal Clear Fresh Water Lakes – Fed Only by Rainwater
Miles of Beaches to Drive or Walk
The Rain Forest – Note the “Air Ferns” that live in the trees
4WD trails all about the Island
(Don’t Bring Your wife’s Subaru! … It will get scratched!))
Historic Logging Company Headquarters
Where we used to Live in Colorado
(Not on Fraser Island … Just checking to see if you are paying attention!)
Trails to Hike on … as far as you like
The Walkway to Our Room at the KingFish Bay Resort
We had a great time. Getting there was as easy as stopping at the mainland registration site and walking up to the two pleasant ladies at the reception counter. From there on everything was taken care of. The ferry ride over was interesting and not too long. A Shuttle took us from the Ferry to the Hotel. We had an excellent Anniversary Dinner at the SeaBelles restaurant in the resort. Gracious Service, delicious food, friendly setting. The Jimney we rented on the Island was a Hoot. Easy to drive, easy on the gas, fit on all the trails, and was fun to drive … and I didn’t have to worry about getting it scratched on some of the trails. The resort was a bit pricey but offered a great deal of comfort, relaxation, several restaurants, a bar by the dock that was a great place to stop for a cold one. There are other, less formal places to eat so there is something for whatever your taste or preference is. As you could see from the map, there are a great many things to do on Fraser Island, many places to stay, and endless things to do. If you don’t want to go it alone, there are a number of “Safari” type 4WD outfitters that lead adventures around the island. We did not use one so I cannot speak to the value of them … I just know some people are less adventurous and would prefer to have a guide. Nancy and I went it alone, there are ample signs pointing the way, cell service does not exist but GPS does work. We thoroughly enjoyed our day in the Little Jimney, saw much of the island, and had a fun time.
