K’gari and the Fraser Coast

From Noosa north to Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay, then across to K’gari, the world’s largest sand island, with its freshwater lakes, wreck and 75 Mile Beach.

Distance: 311 km (194 mi)
Driving: 3 h 24 min
Suggested days: 5
Stops: 12
States: Queensland
Updated: May 2, 2026

At a glance: 5-day road trip of about 311 km (194 mi) with 12 stops, from Noosa Heads to Indian Head. About 3 h 24 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Queensland

Route description

Start from Noosa Heads and head north via Gympie, about 140 km and a little over two hours, to Rainbow Beach. Double Island Point Lighthouse is reached by 4WD along the beach within a few hours of low tide, with a vehicle access permit; without a 4WD, a guided tour is the alternative. Rainbow Beach is also the departure point for the Inskip Point barge to K’gari.

From Rainbow Beach it is about 180 km, around two and a half hours, to Hervey Bay via Gympie and Maryborough. Stop in Maryborough for the Mary Poppins statue and its heritage streets. In Hervey Bay, Urangan Pier makes a pleasant walk, and from about July to October humpback whales rest in the bay, with whale-watching cruises leaving from the harbour.

K’gari is a World Heritage sand island where two-wheel-drive cars cannot be used. You need a high-clearance 4WD, a vehicle access permit and camping permits, or a guided tour from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach. Vehicle barges leave from River Heads, south of Hervey Bay, and from Inskip Point. Reduce tyre pressure, check the tides and expect slow driving on soft sand.

Inland, Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora) and Lake Wabby offer freshwater swimming; the ocean is unsafe here because of strong rips and sharks. The eastern beach is a gazetted road with a strict speed limit, and driving is best within about two hours of low tide to reach Eli Creek, the Maheno wreck, Champagne Pools and Indian Head. Dingoes are wild: never feed them, and keep children close.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Noosa Heads
Queensland
Start
2

Rainbow Beach
Queensland
66 km
3

Double Island Point Lighthouse
ViewsRainbow Beach, Queensland
A lighthouse of 1884 on a headland at the southern end of the Great Sandy coast, with views over Wide Bay and the beaches. It is reached by 4WD along the beach, within a few hours of low tide, and needs a vehicle access permit.
13 km
4

Mary Poppins Statue, Maryborough
OdditiesMaryborough, Queensland
A statue honouring P. L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, who was born in Maryborough in 1899. The town centre also has well-preserved colonial buildings and is worth an hour on the way between Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay.
79 km
5

Hervey Bay
Queensland
38 km
6

Urangan Pier
HistoryHervey Bay, Queensland
A heritage-listed pier built between 1913 and 1917 to load ships, now used for strolling and fishing. Its end is a good lookout during the whale season, when humpbacks rest in Hervey Bay from about July to October.
7 km
7

Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie)
NatureK’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
A perched freshwater lake of pure white silica sand and clear blue water, the best-known swimming spot on K’gari. Swim in lakes rather than the ocean on this island, and stay alert for dingoes.
29 km
8

Lake Wabby
NatureK’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
A green lake held back by a huge sand dune that slowly advances into the water. A signposted walk leads through forest and over dunes from the track; the lake’s edge is a good place for a swim.
9 km
9

Eli Creek
NatureK’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
A clear, cool freshwater creek that flows across 75 Mile Beach. A boardwalk follows it inland, and visitors float back down the sandy channel. A busy stop, so go early or outside the middle of the day.
24 km
10

SS Maheno Wreck
HistoryK’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
The rusting hull of a former hospital ship, driven ashore in a cyclone in 1935 while under tow and now sinking into the sand of 75 Mile Beach. Photograph it from the sand; the structure is unsafe to climb.
4 km
11

Champagne Pools
NatureK’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
Natural rock pools near the northern end of the beach where waves spill over rocks and foam, one of the few places to swim in the sea here. Conditions depend on tide and swell, so check before entering.
40 km
12

Indian Head
ViewsK’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
The island’s most easterly headland, named by Captain Cook in 1770. A short climb gives views over the beach and sea, where sharks, rays and turtles can be seen, and humpback whales from about July to October.
2 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

5 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Noosa Heads → Rainbow Beach · 66 km · 0 h 43 min
Day 2: Rainbow Beach → Mary Poppins Statue, Maryborough · 92 km · 1 h 00 minOn the way: Double Island Point Lighthouse.
Day 3: Mary Poppins Statue, Maryborough → Hervey Bay · 38 km · 0 h 25 min
Day 4: Hervey Bay → Lake Wabby · 45 km · 0 h 29 minOn the way: Urangan Pier, Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie).
Day 5: Lake Wabby → Indian Head · 71 km · 0 h 46 minOn the way: Eli Creek, SS Maheno Wreck, Champagne Pools.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually April–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March and December. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is K’gari and the Fraser Coast?

5-day road trip of about 311 km (194 mi) with 12 stops, from Noosa Heads to Indian Head. About 3 h 24 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for K’gari and the Fraser Coast?

We suggest 5 days: about 3 h 24 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does K’gari and the Fraser Coast start and end?

It starts in Noosa Heads and ends in Indian Head.

Which states does K’gari and the Fraser Coast pass through?

Queensland.

When is the best time for K’gari and the Fraser Coast?

The most pleasant months are usually April–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)