K'gari, Great Sandy National Park Butchulla Country Fraser Coast

You'll travel through a variety of K'gari's plant communities. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government

Be Dingo-Safe! on K'gari

The best way to protect yourself, fellow visitors and the dingoes (wongari) is by planning ahead to Be Dingo-Safe. Photo credit: Darren Jew © Queensland Government

Critical information for your safety

Critical information for your safety is included in the conditions report—always check it before you visit. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

Northern Forests scenic drive

Spend a day driving through an ever-changing landscape, exploring diverse forests, shady day-use areas, inland lakes and impressive sandblows.

Journey type
Scenic drive, 4WD
Distance
42.4km one way A path where the start point is different to the finish point
Time suggested
Allow 4hr driving time.
Grade
Unrated

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Journey facilities

  • Lookout (constructed)
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Scenic drive

Partial closure from the junction of Bullock link Road and Northern Road, and Woralie Road and Northern Road. A detour is in place via Bullock link Road and Woralie Road. Stay up to date with the  K’gari conditions report.

Starting at Happy Valley, this drive takes you through coastal woodlands and into Yidney Scrub rainforest. Declared a beauty spot in the 1930s, the scrub has been protected from logging and is virtually intact.

Stop and spend a few hours walking the stunning Northern Forests walk, or take a stroll to the shallow Boomerang Lakes.

Have a picnic lunch in the shady Lake Allom day-use area and then stretch your legs on a circumnavigation of the lake.

The last stop on this driving adventure is a lookout over Knifeblade Sandblow. At 2.8km long and 1.3km wide, it is the largest on the island.

For something different, try this drive in the opposite direction!

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

The Northern Forests scenic drive is on K'gari, 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane.

Getting to K’gari

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

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

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.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Northern Forests scenic drive is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting K'gari safely and Four-wheel drive with care.

View all park alerts