K'gari Explorer Tours K'gari 2 Day/1 Night Tour (ex Rainbow Beach) - Dorm Occupancy

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Two days on K'gari (Fraser Island) from Rainbow Beach with a local guide in a 4WD coach: Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach and the Maheno wreck, plus the Champagne Pools and Lake Wabby that day tours miss, with a night at K'gari Beach Resort on 75 Mile Beach in a shared dorm or a private room.

Days

2 days, 1 night

Age

Children over one welcome; car seat needed under 8

Group size

Small group, up to 40

Start / finish

Rainbow Beach / Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach, about 5 to 5:30pm on day two

Return

Rainbow Beach, about 5 to 5:30pm on day two

Accommodation

1 night on 75 Mile Beach in a shared dorm, or a private double, twin, single or triple room

Transport

Ferry from Inskip Point and an air-conditioned 4WD coach

Meals

1 breakfast, 2 lunches, morning tea; dinner not included

Route

Map of K'gari Explorer Tours K'gari 2 Day/1 Night Tour (ex Rainbow Beach) - Dorm Occupancy

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Included experiences

Lake McKenzie — swim in a freshwater lake ringed by white sand
Central Station and Pile Valley — rainforest boardwalk beside Wanggoolba Creek
75 Mile Beach — drive the beach to Eli Creek, the Maheno wreck and the Pinnacles
Champagne Pools — swim in rock pools filled by breaking waves
Lake Wabby — optional 4 km return walk over the Hammerstone Sandblow

K'gari Explorer Tours K'gari 2 Day/1 Night Tour (ex Rainbow Beach) - Dorm Occupancy

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: RAINBOW BEACH TO K'GARI

An early pick-up in Rainbow Beach, a town named for the bands of coloured sand in the cliffs behind its beach, takes you up to Inskip Point. From there a barge makes the 10 to 15 minute crossing to Hook Point, the southern tip of K'gari (Fraser Island). At 123 km long it is the largest sand island on earth, World Heritage-listed since 1992, and its Butchulla name means "paradise". You ride in the guide's air-conditioned 4WD coach, built high for the sand tracks with big panoramic windows. Lunch on the first day is a hot and cold buffet at the resort on the beach.

Overnight: K'gari Beach Resort, Eurong (a shared dorm or your own room, depending on the option you book)

ON THE ISLAND: RAINFOREST, LAKES AND 75 MILE BEACH

There's no fixed running order across the two days. Your guide plans around the tides, because 75 Mile Beach is the island's main highway and some stretches can only be driven at low tide. Inland, Central Station was a forestry camp, and its boardwalk follows Wanggoolba Creek, so clear you can barely see it moving over the white sand. Nearby Pile Valley keeps tall satinay trees, a timber so tough against marine borers it was once shipped out to line the Suez Canal. Then it's time for a swim in Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora), a "perched" lake of pure rainwater sitting on silica sand.

On the beach, watch for dingoes (wongari), sea eagles and, from July to October, humpback whales offshore. You float down Eli Creek, which pushes about four million litres of fresh water an hour into the sea. The rusting hull of the Maheno, a trans-Tasman liner that served as a hospital ship in the First World War, has sat on the sand since a cyclone drove it ashore in 1935 on its way to the scrapyard. At The Pinnacles the cliffs show dozens of shades of coloured sand, and the Butchulla people tell a Dreaming story about how they got their colours.

DAY 2: INDIAN HEAD, CHAMPAGNE POOLS AND LAKE WABBY

Day two heads north to the places the day tours don't reach. Indian Head, the island's most easterly point, was named by James Cook in 1770 after the Aboriginal people he saw standing on it, and from the top you often spot turtles and rays in the water below. Just beyond, the waves break over a rock wall into the Champagne Pools, the one safe place to swim in the sea here. Later you can walk about 4 km return across the Hammerstone Sandblow to Lake Wabby, the island's deepest lake, which the dune is slowly filling in. The walk is optional, and the lunch that day is a picnic.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO RAINBOW BEACH

In the late afternoon the coach runs back down the beach to Hook Point and onto the barge for the short crossing to Inskip Point, with a last look at the island from the water. From the point it's a short drive into Rainbow Beach, where you're dropped back in town in the late afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Courtesy pick-up from set points in Rainbow Beach, or meet the coach at 36 Rainbow Beach Road. Your pick-up time is confirmed when you book; arrive 10 minutes early.
Departure time: Pick-ups run from about 7am to 7:45am, for the ferry from Inskip Point a little after 8am.
Finishes: Back in Rainbow Beach between about 5 and 5:30pm on day two.
Minimum age: Children over one are welcome. Children under 8 need a car seat by Queensland law; bring one or request one when you book. Children under one cannot travel on the tour coaches.
Fitness: The Lake Wabby walk is about 4 km return over soft sand and needs moderate fitness, but it is optional. The sand tracks are bumpy, so if you are pregnant or have back or neck problems, check with your doctor first.
Accommodation note: Shared dorm rooms are allocated by gender, with four bunks and a private bathroom with shower, and full use of the resort's facilities. Double or twin rooms must be booked for two people and triple rooms for three; solo travellers choose the single room option.
Please note: Book this departure if you are staying in Rainbow Beach; pick-ups only run from the town the tour leaves from. Tours run in rain but may be cancelled in extreme weather. A free app gives the guide's commentary in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese. Please follow the dingo-safe rules on the island.

What to bring

An overnight bag for two days
Swimmers and a towel
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent
Comfortable walking shoes or thongs
Any medication you need
A reusable water bottle (water is supplied)
A car seat for children under 8, unless you request one when you book

What is included

Two full days of guided 4WD coach touring with commentary
One night at K'gari Beach Resort: a shared dorm room with private ensuite, or a standard hotel room with the double, twin, single or triple option
Breakfast, a buffet lunch on day one, a picnic lunch on day two and morning tea
Courtesy pick-up and drop-off from set points
Return ferry between Inskip Point and Hook Point
National park fees and fuel levies
Commentary app in six languages

Not included

Dinner and drinks
Optional scenic flight over the island with Air Fraser

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.