dingo tours fraser island

2 Day K'gari (Fraser Island) tag-along  ADVENTURE

Our youth-style tag-along 4wd adventure is a great way to experience the exceptional natural beauty of k'gari (fraser island). join like-minded travellers and your experienced guide on this self-driven 4wd journey to see the stunning lakes, creeks, and rainforests that make up this world heritage listed destination. at night, retreat to your campsite just metres from the beach for drinks and tales by the fire. , tour highlights:  .

Explore the pristine white sand, lush rainforest and unspoilt wilderness of magical K’gari (Fraser Island) by self-drive 4WD with a group of fun, adventurous travellers

Experience driving a 4WD on the beach and sandy island tracks whilst following an experienced guide in a lead vehicle to ensure you are safe and heading to all the best locations

Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie)

Venture through majestic ancient rainforests growing on the sand at Pile Valley and Central Station

Soak in the refreshing flowing waters of Eli Creek

Visit the most famous of K’gari’s shipwrecks, the SS Maheno on 75 Mile Beach

Sleep beneath the stars in a private, beach-side campsite which is managed by the Butchulla (K’gari’s First Nations people)

Spot wild dingos, dolphins and dugongs

Tour Inclusions:

Knowledgeable and experienced tour guide

Sleep in an enclosed campsite on K’gari (Fraser Island) just meters from the beach

Fresh, healthy meals for K’gari (Fraser Island) – all dietary requirements catered for with advance notice

2 days of adventure providing plenty of time to explore the World Heritage-listed island

Camping equipment, including tent (twin share), camp mat and sleeping bag.  

Large undercover camp area with music and kitchen facilities, plus power to charge your phone

All camping, National Park and vehicle permits

Return ferry transfers and fuel for 4WDs

Luggage storage in Rainbow Beach

Optional Extras:

Optional Vehicle Damage Liability Reductions ($25 - $50 per person)

Fire Wood ($15 per bag) can be purchased at the safety briefing from Freedom Hostel.

BYO alcohol (no hard liquor or goon allowed - pre-mixed cans ok).

WAS $519 

Day 1: Depart Rainbow Be ach

The morning starts bright & early with our compulso ry tour briefing at 7 am sharp at Freedom Hostel, to receive comprehensive information to prepare you for this exciting journey. Here you will be placed into groups and have the opportunity to organise luggage storage. You will also be taught how to drive safely on Fraser Island ahead of your big adventure!

We aim to depart Freedom Hostel for K'gari (Fraser Island) by 9:30 am, which can take approximately 10 minutes to drive to the barge (ferry). The barge crossing is approximately 15 minutes, and during that time, you may be lucky enough to spot Dolphins or other marine life before arriving on the world’s largest sand island.

Once you arrive, you’ll be traversing the eastern beach - K'gari's (Fraser Islands) own highway with speed limits! Settle in for the journey and enjoy the views as we head north along the beach before stopping for morning tea at one of the many freshwater creeks found on the island.

Following morning tea, we will continue north towards the Maheno Shipwreck, where we’ll stop to share the story of this important landmark, especially it’s use as a hospital ship during wartime.  We have lunch included for you today. The lunch destination will be up to your guide as they’ll find the best spot depending on where you are around that time of the day. We’ll finish up our afternoon at Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a refreshing swim/splash and relaxing sunbathing before heading to our camp.

Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND) Return to Rainbow Beach

Arise for a quick breakfast before we begin our second day on K'gari (Fraser Island)!

The adventure begins as we drive south to Eurong before heading inland through everchanging vegetation to the rainforest at Central Station. Here you’ll depart your vehicle and follow your guide for a walk alongside beautiful Wanggoolba Creek. Your guide will share the logging history of Central Station along with the indigenous significance of Wanggoolba Creek before sending you on a 1.8 km self-guided walk through the rainforest. You’ll reunite with your guide at the other end of the walk at Pile Valley where you’ll have morning tea surrounded by towering Satinay trees.

From Pile Valley it’s a short drive to the famous Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), arguably the most popular and picturesque highlight of K'gari (Fraser Island). Here, you can enjoy quality time lazing on the pristine sand beaches, swimming, and relaxing in the lake's stunning clear waters. We’ll then have lunch before packing up and returning to Eastern Beach. Once back on Eastern Beach we’ll head south to the barge (ferry). From Inskip Point, it’s only a short drive back into Rainbow Beach, where your adventure ends. We return to Freedom Rainbow Beach between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm.

Meals: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch Do you need a longer K'gari (Fraser Island) Tour? Check out our 3-day Tag Along K'gari (Fraser Island) Tour .

Tour Departure:  

Compulso ry tour safety briefing at 7am at  Freedom Hostels Rainbow Beach , 20  Spectrum Street, Rainbow Beach, Queensland 4581 ​

WAS $519  NOW $469

What to bring:

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear

Hat, sunglasses and sunscree n

Swimwear and towel for those wishing to swi m

Refillable water bottle

Small overnight bags only

$2 coins for hot showers 

Rainbow Beach Accommodation (before and after your tour) 

We recommend Freedom Rainbow Beach for accommodation before and after your tour. Situated in the heart of Rainbow Beach, the budget resort has accommodation options to suit every need featuring comfortable 2 bedroom self-contained apartments, family, private double/twin and dorm rooms. Freedom Rainbow beach offers excellent value and facilities for families, couples and independent travellers. Click here to view room options and make a booking. 

Please note: This is a participatory tour. This is a participatory tour. Our tours are participatory-based, which means all members of the tour groups get stuck in and help with the cooking and cleaning! You will be provided with all the necessary food, cooking, and camping equipment. We strongly encourage every traveller to dive in and contribute to the group's experience—it’s a great way to bond and make your trip even more memorable! Age suitability: This tour is suitable only for 18-35-year-olds. If you are outside of this age bracket and wish to participate in it, please get in touch with us prior to booking. 

The itinerary is subject to change: The tides will dictate your arrival time on the island, so we may include a ‘surprise’ on the mainland before heading on the barge to K’Gari. Tides and weather may also dictate the order of the itinerary activities. Your guide will advise of the planned itinerary and the day’s activities at the start of the tour.

K’gari Tag Along Tours

The Island’s best guided group experience

Explore K’gari with Locally Guided 4WD Tours

Do you want to experience the natural beauty of the beach, a lake, and a rainforest but can’t decide which one to choose? With our tag-along tour, you can enjoy all the above! Come and explore K’gari, formally known as Fraser Island, in a guided 4WD tour, where you get to drive a PINK 4wd!

With a max. of 7 passengers per 4WD, you can be sure you’ll travel in comfort and style. Whether you’re an individual traveller, a couple, or part of a small group, or a family with teenage kids, our tag-along experience brings together like-minded travellers from across the world. Our friendly, knowledgeable and experienced guides, who lead the squad in the white 4WD, will take great care of you throughout the trip. So if you’ve never driven on the sand before, don’t worry. Safety is very important to us, so we make sure you get to learn sand driving in a fun but safe environment.

What will I see on my guided tour?

K’Gari, meaning ‘paradise’ serves up endless views and photo opps! Look out the window as you drive down the beach and see never-ending ocean scapes, strikingly coloured sand features and spectacular sand blows. Head inland on the sandy tracks and explore remnants of majestic ancient rainforests and perched freshwater lakes.

The 2-day tour departs weekly Tuesday and Thursday and travels north to The Pinnacles and visits Lake McKenzie, plus more! The 3-day tour departs weekly each Friday and travels further north to Indian Head and Champagne Pools, and a mix of lakes depending on the weather and tide.

What’s included with our guided tour?

• Private beach house accommodation with quad share rooms at Eurong on K’gari’s eastern beach. View more info   here.
• All linen, sheets and doonas provided
• Beach access: relax on the white sand, play a game of beach volleyball, enjoy a beach walk, wildlife spotting at night, and see the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean.
• All meals, plus snacks! We also cater for dietary requirements i.e. vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options (no extra cost) View our menu here .
• Learn to 4WD on K’gari (drivers must be over 21 years of age with an open licence). No off-road driving experience is necessary, you will be briefed and shown the correct 4WD skills. There is no pressure to drive, you are more than welcome to be a passenger.
• Safe, reliable and maintained 4WDs with automatic transmission.
• Experienced knowledgeable lead guide.
• Ferry transfers to K’gari.
• National Park permits and local charges.
• Free hostel pickups (drivers and passengers).
• 2 or 3 days of jam-packed adventure and fun!
• If travelling alone or in a small group it is no problem! We will arrange single travellers into a group amongst other like-minded travellers.

What is a Tag Along Tour?

This is an organised tour where the lead 4WD is driven by our experienced and knowledgeable guide. The following 4WDs are driven by you guys, the customers that nominate to drive on the tour. You don’t need experience driving a 4WD, our thorough safety briefing and experienced guide will make sure you are ready for a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience! Customers tell us it is the best thing they have done in Australia! You must be 21 years of age or over to drive but don’t worry if you are under 21, you can still come along as a passenger and experience the best 4WD adventure!

2 Day Tag-Along Tour

• Limited time and budget
• Only have 2 days to spare
• See all the sites unique to K’gari in 2 days
• Lake McKenzie – highlight
• Enjoy 1 night accommodation in our private beach house

View this tour

3 Day Tag-Along Tour

• Want to experience Indian Head?
• Want to splash in the Champagne Pools?
• Have time to spend on K’gari
• Want to do more 4wding along 75 mile beach
• Enjoy 2 nights accommodation in our private beach house

Why travel with us?

• Delicious seasonal meals and snacks! Dietary requirements are catered for. View our menu here .
• Adventure while cruising around with the pink tag-along squad through K’gari’s natural beauty, making friends from around the world.
• Value – get the best value, for a 2 or 3 day tour, with our competitive prices and all-inclusive packages to suit every traveller.
• Learn from your experienced guide the natural, historical and cultural information about K’Gari.
• Experience the whale watching capital, Hervey Bay before or after the tour. We depart from this quaint coastal town, surrounded by beautiful beaches.
• Eco-certified tourism operator, all vehicles are carbon offset!

Things to note:

• Recommended ages 18 – 55+ years
• Must be 21 years and over to drive (with a valid licence and credit card imprint for the bond).
• No off-road driving experience is necessary, you will be briefed and shown the correct methods the morning of departure.
• Free pick-ups from local hostels.
• FREE street parking available OR secure your car in fenced parking for an extra cost.
• Tour departs from our office in Urangan, Hervey Bay (near the airport) at approx. 7:30 am
• Returning at 6–6:15 pm on the last day (due to K’gari’s remote location we recommend that you don’t book bus departures for the return evening, sometimes the barge can be late or held up).
• Bag/ luggage storage is available at an extra cost.
• Minimum numbers required for the tour to depart.
• If less than 2 vehicles are on the tour, the lead guide is the only person legally allowed to drive the lead vehicle.

What to bring on your guided 4WD tour:

• Day bag with swimwear and a change of clothes
• Lightweight towel (for swimming and showering)
• Flip flops and closed-in shoes
• Warm clothes (the island can get cold at night time)
• A camera to capture the memories
• Your biggest smile
• Alcohol and snacks if you wish (please no spirits or glass)
• But most importantly, a sense of adventure and fun!

5 Star K’gari Tagalong Tours

First-Hand Fraser Dingo Experiences

3 Day Tag Along Tour Fraser Island

Cannot recommend this enough! We had a brilliant tour guide who got everyone involved and was so informative about each location we went to, also thanks to the volunteers who cooked our delicious food each day and catered to everyone’s needs. All the locations were breathtaking, doing the tour made it so much easier to see all of the island.

2 Day Tag Along Tour Fraser Island

This is the best tour I have done here in Australia, the tour guide was awesome and we had so much fun. Everything was planned very well and the price was very good. Thank you!

Want to see what we’ve been up to recently?

Follow @fraser_dingo  on Instagram!

The Ginger Wanderlust

3 days on Fraser Island with Cool Dingo Tours

After spending an unforgettable few days on Fraser Island in 2008 I knew I had to return on my 2019 Australia trip. As the biggest sand island in the world, filled with beautiful nature, it is definitely one of the top places to visit in Australia! If you are heading up or down the east coast, make sure you add it to your itinerary! Cool Dingo Tours  offer pick ups from Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay.

There are a few different tour companies operating on Fraser Island, some are self drives in 4x4s, and others (like Cool Dingo Tours ) offer a tour bus which offers more comfort and security, and no worries of ending up stuck in the sand!

Cool Dingo Tours  also offer no tents! You will stay in one of their wilderness lodges or resort hotel rooms at the Kingfisher Bay Resort .

If you’ve booked on to the Cool Dingo Tours  this is what you can expect of the three day tour on Fraser Island. The two day tour will be the same, just minus the third day.

DAY 1 WITH COOL DINGO TOURS

We were picked up from our hotel in Rainbow Beach at 7:30am in order to get the 8am ferry to Fraser Island. We made it to the first destination of Lake Mckenzie by 10am and we had 2.5 hours to enjoy the crystal blue water and white sand, before we enjoyed a buffet lunch in the shade.

The second stop of the day was to Basin Lake, a fairly secret spot known by Cool Dingo Tours , we were the only group there! Our guide Peter was amazing at pointing out the local wildlife such as tiny frogs and ant eating insects that hide in the sand.

Our final stop was a walk through the lush rainforest, admiring the different flora on the island. We finished the day watching the sunset at the beach at the Kingfisher Bay Resort (where we would be staying for the next 2 nights). Perfect way to end the day and chat a bit more with others from our tour group.

Dinner is a buffet style all you can eat affair in the Dingo bar, where they also organise daily evening activities like a quiz and karaoke. It’s just down the path from the cabins where you will be staying.

We started the day with a full cooked breakfast at the Kingfisher Bay Resort before heading out to explore the north east of the island.

On the way to the Champagne pools we stopped at the Maheno Shipwreck. The SS Maheno was an ocean liner belonging to the Union Company of New Zealand that operated in the Tasman Sea, crossing between New Zealand and Australia, from 1905 until 1935. It was bought by the Japanese and sadly ended up washed on the shores of Fraser Island whilst being transported to Japan. It’s a pretty impressive site!

We also stopped at the pinnacles which are a beautiful natural phenomenon created when iron mixes in with the sand.

We then made it to the absolutely breathtaking champagne pools where we were able to spend a few hours relaxing in the water and admiring the bubbles and waves.

Lunch on the Cool Dingo Tour  is a great affair, our guide set out a buffet for us to create our own wraps or sandwiches and there is a great mix of food to suit all dietary requirements.

After lunch we climbed up to Indian Head lookout, to try to spot some marine wildlife as well as enjoy a view of the beaches. We spotted a couple of turtles but unfortunately no sharks or dolphins.

We spent the afternoon having so much fun floating down the extremely refreshing Eli Creek. Cool Dingo Tours  provided a few blow up tubes to make it easier to float too.

After a filling breakfast we hopped back on the bus with all our bags ready for our last day on Fraser Island.

We started the day at Lake Birrabeen, which not many tour groups go to (we were the only ones there!). Cool Dingo Tours provided a few paddle boards which was a fun way to explore the lake.

After a buffet lunch at the Eurong resort we headed to the last stop of our Fraser Island Tour, lake Wabby. The beautiful green lake is surrounded by a humongous sand dune and forest and is unlike anywhere I’ve been to before!

After an amazing 3 days on Fraser Island with Cool Dingo Tours  I was very sad to leave and go back to reality! I will definitely be back, and encourage you to add Fraser Island to your Australia bucket list!

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3 Days on Fraser Island: Beaches, Lakes, and Bumpy Rides

No trip along the east coast of Australia would be complete without exploring the massively beautiful Fraser Island.  I had heard so much about this place before actually going, and I can now say that it definitely lives up to the hype. 

The island is just so wonderfully diverse, and it almost doesn’t even seem real if you try to explain it to someone.  At one moment you’d be walking through lush green rainforests, and then stumble onto a perfectly white sand beach with crystal clear water.   It’s pretty trippy.    

You’d then hop back onto the bus and bounce in your seat along windy sand roads that cut through the island, only to find yourself than driving along the beach as the waves splash below the tires. 

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island, and a 2-3 day trip will leave your days jam packed with adventurous explorations.   There really is a lot to see on the island, and getting around the island can take quite a bit of time. 

If you want to explore Fraser Island on your own, it’s actually a pretty complicated task.   You need to have your own 4×4 vehicle and camping gear, and navigating your way through the island can be a bit tricky.  It’s common for cars to get stuck on these paths, and the idea of car troubles and having no reception scared the hell out of me.

So I’m extremely happy that I joined Cool Dingo Tours for their awesome 3 Day / 2 Night Fraser Island Trip.   It was a damn good time, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone traveling Australia!  It took out all the stress of visiting this unique island, and it was easily one of the best organized tours I’ve ever been on.   

Day 1 Highlights

Lake mckenzie.

While this is up to debate, I would argue that Lake McKenzie is the island’s most beautiful lake (competing with over 200 for the title).  I was pretty excited to visit this place, as it is one of the few attractions on the island I had seen plenty of pictures of before arriving, and it was even more beautiful than I had imagined .

There’s just something so interesting about walking onto this pristine white sand beach located in the middle of a sand rainforest.  It’s also awesome the distinct color change that occurs when the depth of the lake changes suddenly.   It’s unlike any other lake I’ve ever seen before.

This was actually the only place we spotted the infamous “Dingo” on our entire tour as well.  From what I’ve been told, sightings of these wild animals have become quite rare, so it was a special treat for all of us on this tour.  There are “Dingo Safety” signs spread all over the island, which basically just tells you how to act if you encounter a dingo.  I was actually hoping to see one or two more throughout the tour, but I’ll be happy with my one Dingo puppy spotting.

Lake Basin & Rainforest Treks

After a relaxing morning swim at Lake McKenzie, and a tasty buffet lunch up at the picnic area (chicken & ham sandwiches, potatoes, and salad) — we made the short drive over to Lake Basin for a quick photo opportunity.   This lake might not have been as ideal for swimming, but it really was beautiful.  

The group then went on two different forest treks through Central Station, Pine Valley, and walked along side  Wanggoolba Creek.   One of the best parts and crowd pleasers of these treks was that the water flowing in the creek is absolutely crystal clear, and you can even drink from it (which tasted amazing).

Filling up water bottles in the creek…

Sunset Beers

In my opinion, there is no better way to finish a day then to watch the sunset while knocking back a few beers.  The sunset was absolutely gorgeous, and definitely one of the best I have seen while in Australia.  Being an island on the east coast of Australia, watching the sunset on Fraser Island is one of the few places where it looks like the sun is setting over the horizon.

I was also having a damn good time taking heaps of photos!  What do you think?  Which one is your favorite?

Day 2 Highlights

Flight over fraser island.

After a delicious buffet breakfast (which I may have overindulged and put myself into a slight morning food coma), our group loaded onto our 4WD Pink Cool Dingo Tour bus, and began our drive over to the eastern part of the island.  We were told that at some point during the day we would have the opportunity to take a quick scenic flight for those that were interested, and it just so happened that it was our first stop for the day….

Having just recently done helicopter and sea plane rides over the Great Barrier Reef & The Whitsundays, I knew that I couldn’t say no to getting back up in the air!

For only 80 AUD, you’d take off and land from the beach, and have a brief 10-15 minute in the air while taking pictures of Fraser Island.  Our group were extremely lucky, as we were granted an extra 10 minutes and were flying for nearly 25 whole minutes.  My pilot actually told us that he gave us the extra time because he really likes out tour guide Hayden, and likes to take good care of his tours.

Flying over Fraser Island will definitely give you an appreciation for how massive it is, and it really was epic to fly over all the various sand dunes, lakes, landscapes, and beaches.  Thanks to  Air Fraser  for a smooth and informative ride.

The Pinnacles

After getting back on solid ground, we made our way to the first scheduled stop for the day, the colored sand cliffs called the Pinnacles.  I actually spotted these from the plane, and was hoping that we would be making our way back to see them a bit closer up.

Champagne Pools

While it may be a bit difficult to pick a “favorite stop” along this tour, I will say that this is easily in my top three.  We were blessed with gorgeous weather, and the views of these naturally formed rock pools were simply stunning!  We stopped here for over an hour for some pre-lunch swimming, tanning, and relaxing.

The brief 10-minute walk from where we parked the bus to the Champagne pools was incredible as well, with views of the impressive beaches and coastline of Fraser Island.  There were so many great lookouts and vantage points.

We even spotted a few jumping dolphins, as well as one guy who was having himself a little surf.      

Can you see him…?

Beach Lunch

While the group would normally eat lunch up at Champagne Pool carpark, we decided to make the drive down the beach (in search of a breeze).  We unpacked our containers filled with chicken and vegetables, and prepared ourselves two big tortilla wraps.  Not a bad place for a meal, hey?

Indian Head Lookout

When our tour guide, Hayden, said that we needed to prepare for a “little hike” to the top of Indian Head, I wasn’t too thrilled at the idea because it must have been over 95 degrees (35 for your Celsius folk).  But the walk was quickly done, and we were rewarded with two stunning lookouts of beaches and the coastline.

SS Maheno Beach Shipwreck

The SS Maheno  washed ashore on Fraser Island by a cyclone in 1935, and it now remains as a popular tourist attraction for people visiting the island.  We only stopped for a brief 10-15 minutes to take some photos, but was really cool to see.  There was a photo book that was passed around the bus while our tour guide explained in detail the history of the SS Maheno.

SS Maheno from above…

Have you ever been to a water park and floated around in a “lazy river”…?  Well, that’s exactly what you’re going to do when you make it to Eli Creek.  This stop was awesome, and I honestly could have stayed for another couple hours just floating down the creek.  The water was a  bit chilly,  but actually felt amazing due to the fact it was blistering hot outside, and my skin was feeling a bit warm from some minor sunburns.

Cool Dingo Tours provided some inflatable tubes for the group to blow up, and carry down the walkway to the beginning of the creek.  You’d sit back, relax, and let the stream take you back to the beach.  It was a relaxing activity in a beautiful setting, and I know everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.  For those who didn’t manage to have an inflatable tube, you could just swim down the creek as well.  It really was an awesome feeling.  I even saw a few locals doing the same with beers in hand.  ;-)

Fraser Island Sunset Day 2

Being a travel-blogger, I’m obviously obsessed with getting the perfect sunset shot.  So when the opportunity arose to head back down to the beach to watch the sky change colors, I knew I couldn’t say no.

My favorite shot of the entire trip….

Day 3 Highlights

Sup lake birrabeen.

Our group (which had basically been cut in half due to the 2 day / 1 night crew departing the night before), all met for breakfast and then boarded the bus to our first stop for the day — Lake Birrabeen.

The main activity here was just relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, and having some Stand Up Paddleboard fun.

The lake is truly beautiful, but the best part was that we had the whole lake to ourselves.  Compared to the crowded Lake Mackenzie, this was a much more relaxing stop.

Hammerstone Sandblow & Lake Wabby

The time had come the last stop on our tour…

Lake Wabby is definitely one of the most unique highlights on the islands, but you had to work a bit harder for the reward.  Our group walked the approximately 3KM trek through the rainforest, over the Hammerstone Sandblow, and then found ourselves at the very beautiful Lake Wabby!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this place before.  It felt like a strange oasis in the middle of desert (because of the sand), but then on the other side of the lake was just lush green rainforest.

Do you know understand what I mean that Fraser Island is trippy…?

Our group all eagerly stripped down to our bathing suits, and couldn’t wait to jump into this refreshing lake to escape the heat, and wash off all the sweat we had acquired along the 45 minute trek.

The water was great for swimming around, but the funniest part was all the tiny fish that would eat at your dead skin cells.  If you’ve ever seen a “fish spa”, that’s exactly what it felt like.  It was a little scary though, because ya know — everything in Australia wants to kill you, and the water did look prime for some man-eating monster.   Luckily, we all managed to leave Lake Wabby alive and well.

Fraser Island with Cool Dingo Tours

Overall — this trip was an absolute blast, and I would highly recommend it to anyone traveling the east coast of Australia.  Fraser Island is one of the most unique, beautiful, and interesting places you will ever visit, and Cool Dingo did a great job at showing us this little slice of paradise.

I’ve actually been a tour guide in Europe, and this trip just seemed to run perfectly.   You could tell that they’ve just got this figured out, because everything was very organized and well-planned.  The  bus transportation was comfortable (yet bouncy), the food throughout the entire trip was delicious, and we had  a really solid group of 32 awesome travelers and backpackers from around the world.    

I have to give a massive shout-out to our tour guide Hayden!  If you’re booking a tour with Cool Dingo Tours in the future, try and see if you could arrange the dates to be on his next tour.  He is an absolute legend, and knows so much about Fraser Island.  I know everyone on our group adored him!  THANKS HAYDEN!  

This was honestly a trip that I’ll never forget, and I think I took the pictures to prove it!  After the trip ended, it took me a couple days at the Hervey Bay YHA to go through all of them, delete the bad ones, and go on an editing rampage.

While my travels in Australia are coming to an end rather soon, I know that I’ll find myself back on Fraser Island again…

THANKS FOR READING!!

Follow my adventures Around The World on Facebook ,  Instagram , Twitter  

& add me on snapchat: — jonesatw.

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Fraser Island is a very beautiful place. Bet the experience is awesome!

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• Cool Dingo 3 Day/2 Night Tour
• Cool Dingo 4 Day/3 Night Tour
• About Fraser Island

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Fraser Island 4WD Rental

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3-Day/2-Night 4WD Camper 2-Seater Hire with Fraser Dingo (sleeps 2 inside the 4WD!) from $370 Per Person* (based on 2-People Travelling). Explore Fraser Island on your own terms in your own 4WD! *Additional $70 Per Vehicle payable on day of departure. Camping Kit also included

Aussie Trax 4WD Hire

From $154 Per Person

3-Day/2-Night 4WD 8-Seater Hire with Aussie Trax from $154 Per Person All Inclusive (based on 8-People Travelling). Explore Fraser Island on your own terms in your own 4WD! Camping Equipment Extra

Aussie Trax 4WD Hire + CAMPING

From $239 Per Person

3-Days/2-Night 4WD 7-Seater/7-Sleeper Hire with Aussie Trax from $239 Per Person All Inclusive (based on 7-People Travelling). Explore Fraser Island on your own terms in your own 4WD! Camping Equipment Included!

Fraser Tours & 4WD Hire Options

Fraser island: 4wd hire & tours.

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Fraser Island: Group Tours & Activities

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Fraser Island: Camping & Accommodation

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Fraser Island: Things to Do

Fraser Island is a unique and beautiful part of the Fraser Coast region, with its infamous sand formations and rainforests making it a spectacular attraction for tourists across the globe. Many backpackers love to come and frolic, drink up the goon, party through the night and proceed to pass out...on their goon bag. .

Dingos Fraser Island Tour (Camping)

• Information
• Fraser Island
• Rainbow Beach

Fraser Island is one of the biggest bucket list items on the East Coast of Australia and there’s no better way to see it than a 4WD tag along tour.

This trip with the team from Dingos Fraser Island, departs every Monday and Thursday, spanning 3 days and 2 nights – where you’ll soak up all the amazing experiences that the largest sand island in the world has to offer.

From the crystal clear waters of Lake Mackenzie and the refreshing Champagne Pools to the magnificent sand dunes of Lake Wobby and the views from Indian Head Lookout – this trip packs in all the top highlights and more.

At night you can kick back under a blanket of stars, camping in true adventurer style.

But best of all you get to cruise along the beach in a 4×4 – which is an epic experience in itself as Fraser Island is home to some stunning beach highways.

…and don’t forget to keep a watchful eye out for the local dingos too!

Additional information

Highlights:

• Venture across the whole of magical K’gari (Fraser Island) in self-drive 4x4s with a group of fun, adventurous travellers
• Visit the beautiful Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek and Champagne Pools
• Hike Indian Head to be rewarded with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean
• Sleep beneath the stars in a private, exclusive campsite which is managed by the Butchulla (K’gari’s First Nations people)
• Relax in Eli Creek and explore the ancient rain forests
• All your food for K’gari (Fraser Island)
• Fuel for 4x4s
• Tent, camp mat, sleeping bag and pillow
• All camping, National Park and vehicle permits
• Return ferry transfer
• 4WD driver training on the beach
• All 4x4s have iPod / MP3 adaptor cables
• 4x4s escorted onto the ferry
• Luggage storage and safety deposit

Not Included:

• $20pp comprehensive insurance to be paid on arrival at the Safety Briefing.
• BYO alcohol (no hard liquor or goon allowed – pre mixed cans ok).

What to Bring:

• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimwear and towel for those wishing to swim
• Refillable water bottle
• Small day bags only
• Driver License (if wishing to participate in driving)

Day 1: Depart Rainbow Beach The morning starts bright & early with our compulsory tour briefing at 7AM sharp at Freedom Hostel, to receive comprehensive information to prepare you for this exciting journey. Here you will be placed into groups and have the opportunity to organise luggage storage. You will also be taught how to drive safely on Fraser Island ahead of your big adventure!

Day 2: K’gari (Fraser Island) The day begins with a quick breakfast to fuel your busiest day on K’gari (Fraser Island)! First stop is Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Travelling north, stop at Maheno Shipwreck for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about this famous K’gari (Fraser Island) icon before continuing on to Indian Head, K’gari’s (Fraser Island) highest point. From here you may be lucky enough to see whales and sharks in the ocean before travelling to Champagne Pools for a dip. Lunch is served at either Maheno Shipwreck or Champagne Pools on Day 2 depending on time constraints, safety and beauty. In the afternoon, travel back to camp for dinner and drinks.

Day 3: Return to Rainbow Beach Start with breakfast before cleaning and disassembling your campsite. Once packed up, you’ll drive to the beginning of the Lake Wabby walk where you’ll stride through the dunes to find a tropical paradise! Lunch follows your trip to Lake Wabby before you begin the drive down the beach and back to the barge. Once arrived on the mainland, head to the 4WD shed where you can unpack and quickly clean the cars. You will return to Freedom Hostel between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

• Itineraries may be changed due to tides and weather conditions to ensure you maximise your time on K’gari (Fraser Island)

PLEASE NOTE; Exact itinerary will vary depending on weather and tides

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About K'gari Fraser Island

The dingoes of fraser island.

Synonymous with Fraser Island and Australia as a whole, the humble Fraser Island dingoes (Wongari), are precious animals that deserve our respect, needs our protection and form part of the amazing wildlife of Kgari (Fraser Island) .

From the very first minute that you arrive on the island, watch out for this beautiful, wild and extremely important dog for the environment and history of K’gari … you have good chances of spotting more than one during your visit to Fraser Island, appreciate their presence and take some amazing pictures.

Before we get into what to do when you come across a dingo on Fraser Island and interesting facts about them, let’s review their reputation and why dingoes have had their fair share of bad press in the past.

Fraser Island dingoes reputation – how they went from fearsome to loveable

Everything started with their implication in the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain, the baby daughter of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, who disappeared in the Northern Territory back in 1980.

Lindy always claimed her daughter was taken by a dingo, which was eventually accepted to be the likely cause of Azaria’s disappearance – though it could never be proved. This event along with a number of run-ins between visitors and dingoes on Fraser Island resulted in the dingo being wrongly demonised and feared for many years.

But times are changing.Finally, both the government and visitors understand how important these beautiful golden sand coloured animals are to the health of the local ecosystem.

In their role as the apex predator, the dingo sits at the top of the food chain and ensures that other species don’t overpopulate the island. In short, they keep everything in check, a vital balancing act to the environment of K’gari. Without them, the whole system would collapse and the island as we know and love it today would change irrevocably.

Due to their isolation and minimal crossbreeding, the Fraser Island dingo is the purest strain of dingo in the whole country.

How to stay safe around dingoes and protect them

The best thing you can do for Wongari aka dingoes is to keep your distance. Obviously, if you do see a pack or one dingo wandering the beach it’s an awe-inspiring sight, and taking photos of these beautiful animals is totally fine and encouraged. But getting too close is bad for both parties, so if you do see a dingo, keep a good distance and put away any food you might have out. Don’t panic and don’t run or jog– there is no need and it could result in the dingo following you.

The less direct contact there is between visitors and dingoes the safer their future will be. There is nothing more magical than listening to distant howls while you enjoy all the amazing sights of K’gari – Fraser Island. The dingo is back on top, let’s hope it stays that way.

Are dingoes inherently aggressive?

As you might imagine, this is a popular question on our Fraser Island Tours and the simple answer is no. A dingo will not actively seek you out just to attack you. Far from it. In fact, a dingo is much more likely to scamper away than to approach you. And attacks on people are relatively rare.

But that isn’t to say there are no safety risks associated with them. The inquisitive and curious nature of the dingo can sometimes lead to potentially dangerous human/dingo interactions.

Your chances of having a dangerous encounter with a dingo are greatly increased in those areas where dingoes have become habituated to humans through feeding. And sadly there are areas of K’gari where this is the case.

In the past, it was relatively common, though always discouraged, for some visitors to the island to feed dingoes and encourage them to approach, mostly to get a good picture or just see them more closely. This has inevitably led to certain dingo populations associating people with food.

Apart from keeping a respectful distance, there are five main points to remember:

• Always carry a dingo stick outside of fenced areas, and walk-in pairs. Just in case you encounter a dingo while outside camp. We provide dingo sticks in our Fraser Island accommodation .
• Never feed dingoes or encourage them to come towards you. Leave them in peace if you do see them.
• Never run along the beach. Dingoes have an instinct to chase and doing this could result in a dingo chasing after you.
• Always keep food locked away. Food is a BIG draw for dingoes.

Fraser Island dingoes facts

• There are between 100 and 200 dingoes on Fraser Island and around 25 to 30 packs.
• They communicate with other pack members by howling, although they do still bark in alarm to defend territory from intruders.
• Adult dingoes may sound fierce, but they’re about the size of a medium dog: standing around 60cm high, 1.2m long and have an average weight of around 18kg.
• They hunt during dawn and dusk.
• Dingoes are very active and can travel up to 40km per day.
• A dingo pack is dominated by its breeding male and female, with the subordinate animals competing for their place in the pack structure.

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K’gari is hardly a “hidden” gem as the largest sand island in the world.

The stunning destination, formerly named Fraser Island, sits just off the east coast and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.

And it just become a lot easier to get to for those down south, with Jetstar launching the first direct flights from Melbourne to Hervey Bay in June.

With popular tourist spots such as Lake McKenzie, Pile Valley rainforest, the coloured sand cliffs known as The Pinnacles, the Maheno shipwreck, Eli Creek, and Champagne Pools – K’gari certainly lives up to its name (pronounced “gurrie”), meaning paradise.

But the untouched remote west coast where few people go is what truly had me asking: ‘is this real?’.

Picture turquoise water and long stretches of white sand with no human foot prints until you make your mark.

It is a challenging area to get to. By 4WD you have to time the journey just right or you risk being submerged in water. If you prefer a stress-free visit, you can take a boat tour from the mainland for the day.

I did the “remote K’gari experience” with Tasman Venture, a family business started in 1990. You know you are being looked after by locals when the owner is also the lead skipper.

The crew takes guests to the best spots based on the sea and tide conditions of the day.

After anchoring the catamaran, tourists hop on “Sealegs” to get ashore; an impressive design with retractable wheels means the boat can drive up on to the sand and guests can avoid getting wet.

My group got to take kayaks up the freshwater of Awinya Creek to see an area of the island not accessible on foot or by boat, and then climb up a massive sand dune near Bowarrady Creek for 360 degree views of K’gari and Platypus Bay.

Only the day before, guests on this tour got to swim with a whale.

Jetstar’s new direct flights from Melbourne to Hervey Bay cuts the previous travel time flying via Sydney by more than half.

From experience, I can tell you what a game changer it is catching one 2.5 hour flight rather than two flights with a layover, spending over eight hours in airports and on planes.

If you are one of many travellers keen to head towards the sunny region, known as the whale watching capital of the world, continue reading.

K’gari isn’t just for campers with 4WDs

While K’gari is famous for tourists who self-drive (4WD vehicle only) and camp, there are other options to travel the World Heritage-listed island.

You can jump on the Kingfisher Bay Ferry from River Heads without a car, or for those wanting a more VIP experience, you can travel by helicopter straight from Hervey Bay Airport with Great Ocean Helicopters.

Nathan and Aimee moved their business up from Victoria’s Great Ocean Road during the pandemic after realising there was no one doing scenic helicopter flights in the area – and they are still the only ones.

The island certainly looks spectacular from above.

Once you are on the island, you can join a tour to get around to the popular sights – such as K’gari Explorer Tours’ “beauty spots tour” on an airconditioned 4WD bus.

Travelling on a 4WD bus is an experience in itself, but the big perk you don’t get when self-driving is a lively tour guide full of knowledge about the top natural attractions (and advice on what to do if you run into a dingo). It is nice to have some context to why these spots you see all over Instagram are truly special.

If you have always wanted to visit K’gari but do not want to camp, or are an international tourist scared of the wildlife (in true Aussie fashion, there are 19 different species of snakes on the island), visitors can stay in four-star accommodation at Kingfisher Bay Resort. Even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stayed here in 2018 , albeit in a private house.

There is a dingo fence encircling the 5km perimeter of the resort.

A new light show is due to launch here on September 30 by Bruce Ramus, the same artist behind Wintjiri Wiru , a drone, light and sound show at Uluru.

It has been 18 months in the making and is expected to be a tourism drawcard.

The mainland is hiding some gems itself

When it comes to the Fraser Coast, K’gari is known to overshadow the mainland, but Hervey Bay should not be overlooked – especially if you are travelling through there.

There are some incredible sunset yacht charters in the bay. For me, a highlight of my time in the region was an afternoon with Fraser Island Boat Charters (you can set sail on your own without a boat licence too!). Every time I looked up from our picnic, the sky had changed colours, with the finale being a million bats flying above.

It is a spectacular sight, but not a rare one. Every night, the bats fly from Hervey Bay to K’gari to feast, and return back to the mainland in the morning.

Speaking of feasting, Banksia Seafood and Grill (cute coastal vibes) and the Odyssey Bistro (a unique dining experience) on the Esplanade are worth a look.

At Odyssey, you can leave your order up to the chef. If you so choose, you are greeted with an envelope containing the surprise menu when you sit down to eat.

The restaurant’s menu changes every month and on the last Sunday of each month, all the staff try it out before it is introduced to guests.

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But it is perhaps the back of the menu which is the most interesting – a map showing where all the produce is sourced from locally. It is clearly of high importance to chef and co-owner Jason England. For example, on my visit, I did not know what reef fish I would be eating until it was cooked, because there were small amounts of different freshly caught fish being used for the night.

While you are in Hervey Bay, you must also know the incredible Lady Elliot Island on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef is only a 40 minutes flight away.

This writer was a guest of Jetstar and Fraser Coast Tourism and Events

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Dingoes on Fraser Island

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island, located on the Fraser Coast of Queensland , Australia. It is known not only for its stretches of sandy beaches and inland rainforest but also for its population of resident dingoes. The dingo is an Australian icon and one sought after by many visiting tourists. It is one of the top 10 Australian must-see animals along with koalas, kangaroos and saltwater crocodiles . One of the best places to see a dingo is on Fraser Island, where tours often drive around the island, spotting wildlife while visiting various locations.

A dingo is a type of wild dog that is found over most parts of Australia. While they can range in colour in other parts of the country, dingoes on Fraser Island are almost always a sandy brown colour. They are medium-sized, weighing anywhere from 13 - 20kg when they are fully grown. They travel up to 40km a day in search of food, eating anything they are able to including small game, fruits, plants and even carrion. They are opportunistic hunters and will hunt alone or in a pack, eating and attacking whatever they find. For this reason, the dingo is considered to be a dangerous animal .

While they appear timid, it is just as likely to approach you in hopes of a quick meal by way of your own lunch or anything you may leave behind! They have also been known to attack people on occasion. It is unwise to wander around Fraser Island alone, where you are likely to encounter these wild animals. It is best to travel in larger groups to deter a dingo attack, which is not common, but always possible. While they may be cute and look like a regular house dog, they have the instincts and drive of any predatory mammal. Most campsites and resorts have dingo-safe fencing so guests can roam freely without the worry of encountering any dingos, leaving your evenings and nights safe and dingo-free, meaning you usually only have to worrying about being dingo safe when free wandering the island.

For a map of all accommodation options on Fraser Island with Dingo-Proof fencing, click here !

There are currently 25 - 30 stable individual dingo packs on Fraser Island with 3 - 12 dingos in each. Due to the size of the island, it makes Fraser one of the best places to spot this predator. Keep an eye out when driving along the beach or on one of the inland tracks! But be sure to never get out of your vehicle if there is one near. Keep your distance as you admire these beautiful animals, and ensure you never leave food or fishing scraps out.

To read more about Dingo Safety and behaviour seasons, click here!

Are you ready to encounter dingoes in the wild? Chat to our friendly travel experts and book your tour today! 

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