The Eco Retreat 3 DAY K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND) 4WD

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Hire one of our reliable Toyota Prados and take a spin up the beach on K'gari (Fraser Island). With automatic transmission and everything you need including recovery gear, our lifted 4WDs are made for the island's east coast.

Days

3 days

Age

Drivers over 25 with 3+ years' experience

Start / finish

Noosaville / Noosaville

Return

See itinerary for details

Tour style

Self-drive 4WD hire with an audio guide, map and suggested itinerary; up to 6 seats

Accommodation

Not included in the hire; can be added as a package

Transport

Automatic Toyota Prado 4WD with recovery gear, return barge from Inskip Point

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of The Eco Retreat 3 DAY K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND) 4WD

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Included experiences

K'gari east coast — beach drive
Lake McKenzie — swim
Eli Creek
Champagne Pools
Maheno Shipwreck

The Eco Retreat 3 DAY K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND) 4WD HIRE

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: NOOSAVILLE TO K'GARI

Collect your automatic Toyota Prado in Noosaville, with the recovery gear, Hema map, audio guide and suggested itinerary already on board. From Noosa the route runs north up the beach of the Cooloola Coast, part of Great Sandy National Park, which you can only drive in the hours around low tide. Past Rainbow Beach the cliffs are banded red, orange and cream, coloured by iron oxides leached through the sand over thousands of years. Double Island Point juts out on the way, its lighthouse first lit in 1884. At Inskip Point a ten-minute barge carries you over to K'gari (Fraser Island), at 123 km the largest sand island on earth and World Heritage-listed since 1992.

ON THE ISLAND: LAKES, CREEKS AND 75 MILE BEACH

There's no set running order: you plan your own days, with the suggested itinerary and the audio guide to help, and the tides decide a lot, because 75 Mile Beach is the island's main road and some stretches can only be driven at low tide. With three days, the middle day is your one full day on the island, so it's a highlights trip and a busy one. Swim in Lake McKenzie, a perched lake of pure rainwater on white silica sand, so clear you can see the bottom metres out. Float down Eli Creek, which pours up to 80 million litres of fresh water a day across the beach. The rusting Maheno, a First World War hospital ship, was driven ashore by a cyclone in 1935 on its way to the scrapyard. Further north at Indian Head, waves spill over a rock wall into the Champagne Pools, the safe place to swim in the sea here.

LAST DAY: BACK TO NOOSAVILLE

A last morning on the sand, then south along 75 Mile Beach to the barge at Hook Point, the island's southern tip, and back across the strait to Inskip Point. Your return barge fee is already paid. From there it's the drive back down to Noosaville to hand in the Toyota Prado, with sand in the footwells and photos to sort. Where you sleep on the island is up to you: accommodation isn't part of the hire, but it can be added as a package when you book.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Noosaville.
Minimum age: All drivers must be over 25 and have 3 or more years of driving experience.
Please note: No roof racks or trailers are permitted. Vehicles are subject to availability. Accommodation can be added as a package with the 4WD hire.

What to bring

Beach bag including beach towel
Food
Weekend bag

What is included

Toyota Prado 4WD, seats up to 5, automatic, unleaded petrol
Electric windows and car stereo with AUX plug-in and lead
Audio guide and Hema map
Recovery kit including snatch straps and Max Trax
Tyre pressure gauge
Vehicle on/off island recovery or replacement
Return barge fee at Inskip Point
K'gari National Park permits
Suggested itinerary
Child seats (4 years and over) and eskies available

Not included

Fuel — budget about $50 a day
Food
Accommodation

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.