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

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

Scenic drives summary

K'gari's beaches and sandy inland roads are suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles only with low range capacity. All-wheel drive vehicles are not recommended. Engage 4WD and lock hubs if necessary just before driving on sand. Read and pay attention to all signage. All road rules apply.

Please print off the Driving on sand safety guide (PDF, 943.6KB) and read it carefully before you drive on K'gari.

LocationRouteDistance (minimum time, no stops)DescriptionExtra hints

Central Lakes scenic drive

Central Lakes scenic drive

see map (PDF, 503.3KB)

Recommended direction:
Central Station → Pile Valley → Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) → Lake Wabby lookout → eastern beach		27.2km, allow 3hrsExperience the cool respite of Pile Valley within an impressive stand of satinay trees with tall, deeply furrowed trunks. The clear waters of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie)—in shades of white to dark blue—are fringed by blindingly white sand. From here, the inland road passes through mostly tall blackbutt-satinay forest, opening to scribbly gum and banksia woodland on route to the eastern beach. Stop at Lake Wabby lookout, take a short walk and view this impressive barrage lake and the Hammerstone Sandblow that is engulfing it.

In peak periods—summer holidays and Easter—the road into Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) can become congested. Busiest times at Boorangoora are between 10.30am and 3pm.

Southern Lakes scenic drive

Southern Lakes scenic drive

see map (PDF, 503.3KB)

Start at either end:
Dilli Village → Lake Boomanjin → Lake Benaroon → Lake Birrabeen → Central Station		27.6km, allow 3hrs

The woodlands surrounding Lake Boomanjin feature scribbly gum and banksia trees, wallum heathlands and reedy swamps—all are a delight when in full bloom. Picnic at the tables provided before visiting the lakes or taking one of the many walks from Central Station day-use area.

Not suitable for vehicles towing trailers or camper trailers.

Check tide times if planning to include the Eurong–Dilli Village beach drive as an extension of your trip. Avoid driving on the beach two hours either side of high tide.

Lake Garawongera scenic drive

Lake Garawongera scenic drive

see map (PDF, 503.3KB)

Start at either end: Happy Valley → Lake Garawongera → Poyungan Valley19km, allow 2hrs

This very rough track provides an enjoyable adventure as it meanders through tall closed forest close to Lake Garawongera. It continues through open mixed eucalypt woodland to the eastern beach. Enjoy a stopover at the lake and relax by amber, tannin-stained waters, lined with reeds and melaleuca trees.

Only for experienced 4WD users with high clearance vehicles, good recovery and communication equipment. Expect no mobile phone reception. These plant communities are constantly changing, particularly when recovering from fire or high winds. Some sections of the road may be overgrown or blocked by recent tree falls.

Northern Forests scenic drive

Northern Forests scenic drive

see map (PDF, 503.3KB)

Start at either end: Happy Valley → Yidney Scrub → Lake Allom → south of The Pinnacles (eastern beach)42.2km, allow 4hrsFrom Happy Valley, steer north-west and head inland through the stands of brush box and kauri trees of Yidney Scrub. Discover the wonder and diversity of the island’s plant communities and its cultural heritage as this rough track winds through some more remote areas of wallum woodland and rainforest, past the Boomerang Lakes to the forest-fringed Lake Allom. A perfect place for time out. Picnic at the tables provided, not by the lake. Continue driving to Knifeblade Sandblow and take a short walk to the lookout. Next stop is the eastern beach just south of The Pinnacles.

Only for experienced 4WD users with high clearance vehicles, good recovery and communication equipment. These plant communities are constantly changing, particularly when recovering from fire or high winds. Some sections of the road may be overgrown or blocked by recent tree falls.

Expect no mobile phone reception. If travelling back along the beach, avoid driving on the beach 2 hours either side of high tide.

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