• Pitch your tent and enjoy the peaceful solitude. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche
• The camp sites are tucked into the forest. Photo credit: Jenna Tapply © Queensland Government

After a day on the K'gari Great Walk you’ll be glad to dump your pack and pitch your tent among open eucalypt forests of scribbly gum, blackbutt and bloodwood trees.

Once you've settled in, take the short walk to stunning Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) and enjoy a refreshing swim. With its pure white beaches and clear water, Boorangoora is a photographer’s dream.

Spend the night relaxing under a sky of stars and then retreat to your tent for a rejuvenating sleep. In the morning, wake early, refreshed, and ready to continue your walking adventure.

This park is part of the K'gari World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of coastal dune landform development and evolutionary history.

Getting there and getting around

Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) walkers' camp is on K'gari, 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane.

• The walkers' camp is on the K'gari Great Walk, 6.6km north of Central Station walkers' camp via Basin Lake, 11.3km north of Central Station walkers' camp via Pile Valley, 12km south of Lake Wabby walkers' camp and 13.4km south-east along the Lake McKenzie walk.
• The camp can also be accessed from the Lake McKenzie circuit from Central Station and the Kingfisher Bay circuit from the Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Getting to K’gari

You can get to the island by high clearance 4WD, on foot, by plane or with a commercial tour.

• Check the K’gari conditions report (PDF, 1.1MB) for the latest information on access, closures and conditions within the recreation area.
• Subscribe to the RSS feed to receive automated updates. (About RSS feeds).

By 4WD

• Your high clearance 4WD must have low range functions.
• Remember all vehicles must be registered, drivers must be licensed and all Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches.
• Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
• A vehicle access permit (VAP) must be purchased. You must be able to present a copy of your VAP (digital or printed), if requested by an authorised officer. Be sure to buy all your permits before you go, and ensure vehicle number plate details are correct on your permit.

From Inskip Point (15min from Rainbow Beach)

• At the end of the bitumen on Inskip Point Road, reduce tyre pressure, engage 4WD and drive 500m onto the beach.
• Drive onto the Mantaray barge for the 10–15min trip to Hook Point on the southern tip of K’gari, and the start of the Eastern Beach scenic drive.
• Bookings for this barge are preferred.

From River Heads (east of Maryborough)

• Travel 10.6km along River Heads Road to the Barges landing area.
• The trip to Wanggoolba Creek on the western side of K’gari takes 30–45min.
• The trip to Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western side of K’gari takes 50min–1hr.
• These barges run at fixed times and bookings are preferred.

On foot

• Walkers can board a vehicle barge to the island (details above) or arrive by plane.

By plane

• Flights leave from Hervey Bay and Maryborough.

By private vessel

• Access K’gari’s sheltered western coastline by private vessel. The eastern coastline of the island is extremely hazardous and exposed to very rough ocean conditions.
• Launch your boat at one of the many boat ramps on the mainland between Tin Can Bay and Burnett Heads. There are no boat ramps on K’gari.
• See Maritime Safety Queensland’s Beacon to Beacon Guides for the Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay for detailed navigational maps.
• The waters adjacent to K’gari are in the Great Sandy Marine Park.
• If you’re heading out on the water, make sure you know your zones so you can follow the rules.
• Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.

Commercial tours

• You can join a range of tours that leave from a variety of centres.
• For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) walkers' camp is open 24 hours a day. Check in to your camp after 2pm and check out by 11am on the day of departure.

The K'gari Great Walk is generally open from 1 March to 31 October each year.

• At all other times the fire danger risk may be too high.
• The dates depend on environmental conditions and will vary each year.
• Check park alerts for the latest information.

Bookings

Book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Book a camping area Book a vehicle access permit

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting K'gari Great Walk safely and camp with care.