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

Before you visit

    Bring a well-stocked first aid kit and know how to use it.

    Bring a well-stocked first aid kit and know how to use it.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    Fires prohibited sign.

    Camp fires are permitted in the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) provided fire rings in Dundubara and Waddy Point camping areas. Bring your own untreated, timber mill off-cuts, not bush wood. Fires are prohibited elsewhere in the Fraser Island Recreation Area.

    Prepare and pack well

    Prepare well for your visit and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time.

    • The sandy tracks and beaches on K'gari are only suitable for high clearance four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, preferably with low-range capacity.
    • Vehicles with low clearance are not recommended. Drivers of these may find some inland tracks and beach access tracks impassable.
    • Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound—recovery is costly and can take hours.
    • Unregistered vehicles are not permitted on K'gari.
    • Concessionally-registered recreational vehicles, such as quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles, are not permitted on K'gari.
    • Load your vehicle evenly, with heavier items inside and low down—top heavy vehicles can topple easily.

    Read the Driving on sand safety guide (PDF, 943.6KB)

    Be warned: Your vehicle will be exposed to salt air and at times salt spray when it's on the island or travelling along any coastal area. Protective treatments are commercially available. Ask the vehicle manufacturer about the best type of anti-rust treatment for your vehicle, before venturing into coastal or island parks.

    Essentials to bring

    First aid kit and prescription medicines

    There is no pharmacy or resident doctor on the island.

    • Bring adequate supplies of prescription drugs you need.

    Be aware that urgent medical help is not always available; it can be hours away.

    • Always carry a well-equipped first aid kit.
    • Be aware that marine stingers are in the waters off K'gari especially in the summer months.
    • At least one person in your group should have a current first aid certificate.

    Read the Marine stinger warning notice (PDF, 53.3KB) .

    Drinking water

    It is always best to bring your own drinking water.

    Bring your own water containers as extra drinking water, if you need it, can be collected from taps at:

    • Central Station
    • Dundubara camping and day-use areas
    • Waddy Point camping and day-use areas
    • Eurong—the tap is located on the beach in front of the QPWS ranger base and police station.

    Be aware! It is advisable to treat all other water before drinking.

    Water from other taps, lakes or streams on the island is not suitable for drinking unless treated first. Use either water treatment tablets or boil the water rapidly for at least 5–10 minutes.

    Fuel stoves

    Use fuel stoves for cooking.

    Use fuel stoves for cooking.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    Use fuel stoves for cooking. Camp fires are not permitted (PDF, 138.0KB) on K'gari except in the QPWS provided fire rings in Dundubara and Waddy Point camping areas, except when a total fire prohibition or ban is in place. Penalties apply.

    Cooking and heating appliances must meet the following requirements:

    • The appliance must use gas or manufactured fuel (heat beads, briquettes). Manufactured fuel does not include timber or wood.
    • It must be used only for cooking and/or heating.
    • It must be a minimum of 20cm off the ground and more than 2m from flammable material, which includes vegetation.
    • It must not have the potential to generate airborne embers or possibly ignite nearby ground fuels.
    • It must be fully self-contained (heat source enclosed and no exposed flame) and never be left unattended when in use.
    • All appliances, materials and burnt fuel must be removed from the protected area on your departure.

    For more information see permitted cooking appliances when camping during fire prohibitions and fire bans (PDF, 763.6KB)

    Things for the vehicle

    Mishaps or breakdowns on K'gari can be costly, as rescues are difficult and may impact on the island's fragile ecosystems. Good preparation is essential and may save you the cost of expensive recovery.

    Remember to pack:

    • spare tyre
    • well-equipped tool kit
    • tyre pressure gauge
    • air pump
    • tow rope
    • snatch strap
    • D shackles
    • traction mats (in case you get stuck in soft sand)
    • shovel.

    Extra hints for your island visit

    • Bring sand pegs, tarpaulins, extra poles, ropes and torches if camping.
    • Bring $2 coins for showers.
    • Bring 50c and 20c coins for public telephones.
    • Mobile phones can be handy, but understand reception is very intermittent—consult your service provider.
    • Don't bring firearms or fireworks.
    • Chainsaws cannot be used.
    • Generators are not permitted in formal camping areas but can be used in beach camping areas, unless signposted otherwise.
    • Smokers: kindly bring small sealable canisters for your cigarette butts and only dispose of them in a bin.
    • See also the frequently asked questions for K'gari.

    Opening hours

    The park is open every day, 24 hours a day.

    The QPWS offices at Eurong and Dundubara are generally unattended for visitor enquiries as rangers are working in the field. These locations do provide information signs, and self-serve permit packs—with brochures, a current conditions report and a camping tag—are available for people who wish to change or extend their stay. See the K'gari map (PDF, 503.3KB) for locations.

    Visitor and safety information is available on signs in all major visitor areas across the island, in the K'gari Discovery Guide (PDF, 3.7MB) and the K'gari Conditions Report (PDF, 1.1MB) .

    Permits and fees

    Ensure you buy your camping and vehicle permits before entering Fraser Island Recreation Area.

    Vehicle permits

    All vehicles with the exception of those remaining within the boundary of Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village (KBRV), must have a valid vehicle access permit before entering Fraser Island Recreation Area. You must be able to present a copy of your VAP (digital or printed), if requested by an authorised officer.

    24hr number plate surveillance cameras in use

    All vehicles entering and exiting the recreation area may have their vehicle number plates recorded. Vehicle registration details are checked against the Queensland National Parks Booking Service and a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) may be issued to the registered owner of any vehicle that does not have a valid vehicle access permit. To avoid receiving a PIN, you must purchase a vehicle access permit before entering the recreation area. Please ensure vehicle number plate details are correct on your permit to avoid penalties. For more information view:

    Hiring a vehicle or purchasing a vehicle with a vehicle access permit attached

    On each occasion a rental vehicle is in a recreation area, the person who hired the vehicle for that occasion must be the person who applies for the vehicle access permit. The same applies if you have recently purchased a 4WD that has a vehicle access permit. Permits are not transferable, and you must purchase a vehicle access permit under your own name for the vehicle.

    Camping permits

    Camping permits are required for all camping, except in privately run campgrounds, and must be prominently displayed at your camp. School and public holidays are very busy. Purchase permits well in advance and be aware that some camping areas have limited capacity.

    Permit refunds

    Refunds are automatically processed for cancelled bookings more than two calendar days prior to the permit start date. Outside of this 2-day period refunds may be available for unforeseen circumstances upon request. All refund requests must be submitted within 28 days of the camping permit end date. To apply for a refund, visit: How to modify a camping booking.

    For more about refunds download the refund operational policy.

    Drones use on K’gari

    A drone restriction area has been declared by regulatory notice over a section of Lake McKenzie and surrounding visitor facilities within the Fraser Island Recreation Area. Drones must not be operated anywhere within the Lake McKenzie drone restriction area unless authorised. This includes the lake, lake shores, car park and day-use areas.

    Visitors with drones in their possession must keep them in a container and securely stored at all times.

    Visitors are reminded that drones are prohibited within all camping areas on K’gari.

    Domestic dogs and pets

    • Domestic animals are prohibited in the K'gari section of Great Sandy National Park, including Fraser Island Recreation Area.
    • The keeping of any dog or cat on K'gari is prohibited under Fraser Coast Regional Council local law.
    • Visitors with a certified guide, hearing, assistance dog or trainee support dog are permitted to access all public areas of lands managed by QPWS.
    • Certified support dogs must wear an identifying coat or harness and have the approved badge or tag.
    • QPWS has the right to refuse access to assistance animals that do not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Non-compliant animals include animals that do not provide assistance to the person that alleviates the effect of a disability and are for the purpose of comfort and companionship only.
    • K’gari is considered a high-risk area due to the presence of dingoes and it is recommended that assistance dogs remain inside fenced areas or vehicles at all times.
    • If a member of the public sees a domestic dog on K’gari and reports it to QPWS, rangers will investigate immediately if they believe the animal is still on the island. Rangers take reports of domestic dogs on the island very seriously as this is a threat to the conservation of dingoes on K’gari.

    Please contact a Ranger regarding assistance dogs and dingo safety prior to your visit via email dingo.ranger@detsi.qld.gov.au

    Climate and weather

    K'gari has a subtropical climate with temperatures moderated by proximity to the sea. Average coastal temperatures range from 22°C to 28°C in December and 14°C to 21°C in July. Temperatures can be more extreme inland.

    Annual rainfall varies across the island, from 1200mm on the coast to 1800mm inland. The wettest months are January to March with about 160mm rainfall per month. The drier months are winter and early spring. Moderate winds predominate from the south-east. Storms—occasionally quite severe—are common in spring and early summer.

    Check forecasts just before you head off to K'gari as weather conditions can change quickly. Two weather forecasts are relevant to K'gari:

    Fuel and supplies

    Available at all townships:

    • fuel (not autogas)
    • restaurants or takeaway food outlets
    • shops with gas and ice
    • shops are generally open from 8am to 5pm

    EFTPOS is only available in some places.

    Telephones

    Mobile phone coverage is intermittent on K'gari.

    Public telephones require coins and are located at:

    • Eurong
    • Happy Valley
    • Kingfisher Bay Resort.

    View all park alerts