How to get to Fraser Island from Brisbane

If you’re heading up the coast from sunny Brissie, and making a beeline for Fraser Island along the way, there are a few ways of making the journey. How you get to Fraser Island from Brisbane mostly depends on your budget and time constraints, plus environmental considerations to take into account.

Make the drive along the Bruce Highway

The 250km drive to Fraser Island from Brisbane usually takes around 3-4 hours and offers up some spectacular views along the way. Most of the drive passes through the Sunshine Coast so there are plenty of opportunities to stop at some beautiful beaches along the way, and a great selection of cafes and restaurants to make a pit stop for lunch.

So if you have some wheels and are figuring out how to get to Fraser Island then the drive is an adventure in itself. The best place to arrive into is either Noosa, Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay.

The ferry from mainland to the island departs from Rainbow Beach and Harvey Bay, while Noosa if the best place to fo if you are looking for a 4WD tour to Fraser Island.

Don’t forget that all vehicles on Fraser Island need to be of the 4WD variety, so leave your camper or car parked up during your trip. 

If you do decide to make the journey by car, try to travel with as many mates as possible. This not only means you can split the cost of fuel but it’s a far better way of reducing carbon output. Cars or campers with just one or two travellers equals a large carbon footprint per person.

Now, if you want to make a few stops on your way from Brisbane to Rainbow Beach and Harvey Bay, it is totally worth it! Write down our recommendations.

Glass House Mountains 

These ranges of mountains, formed by 13 hills, are located only 1 hour north of Brisbane and it is a must-stop for any adventurous. 

There are many walking tracks that lead to the mounts, being the most popular ones Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Ngunung. The Glass House Mountains were formed by volcanic activity about 27 to 26 millions years ago and they remain very important places due to their cultural significance. Here is where Gubbi Gubbi people, the traditional owners, used to gather for trading and ceremonies. 

You can either spend the night in the area, in a campground or boutique hotel or continue your trip to Noosa! 

Noosa 

Oh … Noosa, what a lovely place! We absolute recommend spending one or two days here. Grab your morning coffee, go for a walk in the National Park, take a dip in the natural rock pools and have som9e drinks and a delicious dinner after you watched the most beautiful sunset in Tea Tree Bay. Sounds dreamy right? It is. 

In the National Park, don´t miss Tea Tree Bay, Fairy Pools and Alexander Bay! Just tap in these names in Google Maps and you will easily find your way through the park. If you don´t want to take your phone with you, don´t worry, there are signs and indicators also. 

From Noosa to Rainbow Beach you have around 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, so take it chill and enjoy the ride. Not everyone knows, but there are actually two ways of getting there. You can either take the most common roads, Tin Can Bay Rd or Rainbow Beach Rd, or, if you have a 4WD, you can experience The Great Beach Drive!

The Great Beach Drive starts on the north shore of Noosa, (take the barge from Tewantin to Noosa North Shore, which departs from Moorindil Street, takes only 5 minutes and costs $8) and will take you to Rainbow Beach after 70km of beach driving. What a great way of getting ready for your next adventure on Fraser Island!

Last stop: Rainbow Beach

You made it! You are almost on Kgari! The ferry from Rainbow Beach to Fraser Island operates every day, from 6 am to 5 pm (check public holidays departures here), costs around $180 per car and leaves from Inskip Point. 

If you are hiring a 4WD with us, we will meet before in town and we will show you where to park your car.  

If you wish to spend the night in Rainbow Beach and leave the next morning to Kgari, it is a great option also. There are different campgrounds, quite similar to each other, and practically on the beach, very close to Inskip Point. For more information about campgrounds in Rainbow Beach visit this website.

Don´t feel like driving? Take the bus!

Are you planning to hire a 4WD in Rainbow Beach and you don´t want to drive your own car to this point? Taking the bus is a very good alternative.

Greyhound offers regular services with daily buses departing from Brisbane. Tickets cost $80 per person and the trip takes around 5 hours. 

Short on time? Go by plane!

This is by far the most costly and least environmentally friendly option but if you only have a couple of days to spare, it’s a good option. In this case, you must fly to Hervey Bay (north), the other main access to Fraser Island apart from Rainbow Beach (south). Qantas is the only airline that offers regular flights from Brisbane to Hervey Bay. 

Find out the departure times of the ferry from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island here.

So know you know how to get to Fraser Island from Brisbane, what are you waiting for? Whether you fly, drive or coach your way there, this beautiful sandy paradise island is worth every second on the road.