Queensland · Australia

K'gari and Hervey Bay

The world’s largest sand island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring Lake McKenzie and the 75 Mile Beach traversed by 4x4 vehicles, and Hervey Bay, where humpback whales often stop with their calves.

Queensland (Gold Coast and Cairns)

In the photo: Lake McKenzie, K'gari

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

K'gari, called Fraser Island until 2023, is the world’s largest sand island: about 123 km long and 22 km wide, formed by dunes accumulated over thousands of years and covered in forest. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1992. The name K'gari means “paradise” in the Butchulla language, the island’s traditional owners.

Inland, freshwater lakes formed on the sand, such as McKenzie, have clear water and white silica sand. On the ocean side, 75 Mile Beach, about 120 km long, functions as an official road and airstrip, driven along by 4x4 vehicles up to Eli Creek, the Maheno shipwreck and the colored sand cliffs.

Hervey Bay, on the mainland facing the island, is the most commonly used base: ferries and tours to K'gari depart from there and, from July to October, whale-watching boats go out to see humpback whales that often rest in the sheltered bay with their calves. In 2019 the city was recognized as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site.

Rainbow Beach, to the south, is the other gateway to the island, with a short ferry crossing from Inskip Point, the Carlo Sandblow dunes and the colored sand cliffs that gave the town its name.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where K'gari and Hervey Bay is

Boundaries: Australian Bureau of Statistics / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: K'gari and Hervey Bay

✈ Aeroporto de Hervey Bay (HVB), in Hervey Bay · 6 km to Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay Airport (HVB) has flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. By road, Hervey Bay is about 290 km from Brisbane, and Rainbow Beach about 240 km. Ferries for vehicles and passengers run to the island from River Heads, near Hervey Bay, and from Inskip Point, near Rainbow Beach.

Suggested arrival point: Hervey Bay

Queensland · K'gari and Hervey Bay Suggested arrival point

Hervey Bay

Seaside town facing K'gari, made up of neighborhoods along the Esplanade such as Pialba, Scarness, Torquay and Urangan. The bay, sheltered by the island, has generally calm water and the Urangan Pier, which extends over the water. From July to October boats depart for humpback whale watching. Ferries to the island leave from River Heads, to the south.

Queensland · K'gari and Hervey Bay

Rainbow Beach

Seaside village south of K’gari, about 240 km from Brisbane, named for the colorful sand cliffs that face the sea. Above the village, the Carlo Sandblow is a large dune with coastal views. To the south, Double Island Point has a lighthouse and sheltered bays. From nearby Inskip Point, a short ferry crosses to the southern part of the island.

The local experience

Things to do in K'gari and Hervey Bay

Rainbow Beach · Queensland · Viewpoint

Carlo Sandblow

Large sand dune above Rainbow Beach, inside Great Sandy National Park, with views over the bay, Double Island Point and southern K’gari.

Hervey Bay · Queensland · Stroll

Hervey Bay whale watching

Boat tours in the bay sheltered by K'gari, where, from July to October, humpback whales often rest and tend their calves on the return from migration.

Rainbow Beach · Queensland · Beach

Rainbow Beach Coloured Sands

Sand cliffs with bands of red, orange, yellow and white along Rainbow Beach, colored by minerals such as rutile, ilmenite and zircon.

Hervey Bay · Queensland · Viewpoint

Urangan Pier

A long pier that extends over Hervey Bay at Urangan, built in the early 20th century for loading cargo, now used for walking, fishing and watching the sunset.

See 3 more places in K'gari and Hervey Bay

Rainbow Beach · Queensland · Viewpoint

Double Island Point

Headland south of Rainbow Beach, in Great Sandy National Park, with a lighthouse, coastal viewpoint and a calm bay, reached by driving the beach in a 4x4.

Hervey Bay · Queensland · Lake

Lake McKenzie

A freshwater lake formed on sand in the interior of K'gari, at about 100 meters elevation, with clear water and a beach of almost pure silica sand.

Hervey Bay · Queensland · Beach

75 Mile Beach

A beach of about 120 km on K'gari’s ocean side that also functions as a road for 4x4 vehicles, featuring Eli Creek, the Maheno wreck and the colored sand cliffs of The Pinnacles.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From July to October for humpback whales in Hervey Bay. From April to October the weather is usually drier and milder for driving on the island. Summer is hot and wetter, and the island gets busy during school holidays.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three or four days: one or two on the island, on an organized tour or with a 4x4, one in Hervey Bay for the whales (in season), and one in Rainbow Beach.

Which city to stay in

Hervey Bay has accommodations along the Esplanade, between Pialba, Scarness, Torquay and Urangan. On the island there are few lodgings, at Kingfisher Bay and Eurong, plus licensed camping areas. Rainbow Beach has guesthouses and hostels near the beach.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about K'gari and Hervey Bay

Do you need a 4x4 to see K'gari?

Yes. There are no paved roads on the island, and vehicles need 4x4 traction and a park permit. If you don’t drive a 4x4 you can join organized tours of one or more days.

When can you see whales in Hervey Bay?

The season is usually from July to October, when humpback whales rest in the bay, many with calves, before returning south.

Can you see K'gari in one day?

Yes, on a full-day organized tour, which usually includes Lake McKenzie, the Central Station forest and a stretch of 75 Mile Beach. Two days allow you to see more of the island at a relaxed pace.

What is the best base for K'gari: Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach?

Hervey Bay has more accommodations, the airport and the whale boats. Rainbow Beach has the shorter crossing to the south of the island and direct access to 75 Mile Beach.

What time zone are K'gari and Hervey Bay in?

Queensland time, UTC+10, with no daylight saving time.

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K'gari and Hervey Bay

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.