4WDriving Adventure on Fraser Island

Four-Wheel Driving across the beautiful Fraser Island is a thrilling adventure as you explore the most scenic areas and drive through nature's splendour in a fast and convenient way. Being the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island's roads and access areas are mostly inland roads, sand tracks or beaches.

In fact, of the island's 124 kilometres of ocean beaches, 122 kilometres of these are accessible to vehicles. The island's driving tracks are well-defined, sandy tracks, with a generally firm and stable surface. However, some areas of soft sand can make driving slow, dragging, and rough.

Fraser Island has kilometres of finest beaches and great walking tracks through the rainforest for the most part of the exploration. Truly, the best way and one of the most practical travel options when going to Fraser Island is by 4WDriving.

Fraser Island 4WDriving Tracks The roadways in the centre of the island are soft sand and during dry or busy periods, it can deteriorate quickly making it risky to pass through. The drive is easy to moderate as you go through the famous lakes of the island along the central area.

Central lakes scenic drive is a track all the way to the Central Station, Pile Valley, Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby, up to the eastern beach. The distance (without any stops) is 30km or approximately 2 hours. This drive mainly traverses tall open forest but the road through Lake McKenzie can become very congested and parking may not be available during peak periods.

At the Southern lakes, 4WDriving may start at either end of Dilli Village, Lakes Boomanjin, Benaroon, and Birrabeen until up to the Central Station. The minimum drive time without stops is 30kms, or about 2 hours. It enters through mature hoop pine plantations, native tall forests, which pass into open forest with extensive areas of banksia woodland down to swamps and beaches. Remember that driving during the two hours at either side of high tide is dangerous.

The Northern forests route starts at either end of Happy Valley, Yidney Scrub, Lake Allom, to the south of The Pinnacles (eastern beach). This track is very rough and remote therefore experienced and self-sufficient 4WD users are only allowed. When travelling back along the beach, avoid driving during the two hours either side of high tide.

A great track can also start at either end of Happy Valley, Lake Garawongera, right through to Poyungan Valley at the Great Sandy National Park where you can drive along the colourful coastline - this is a 15km, or 1 hour scenic drive without stops. One will encounter very rough inland track and this drive is only advisable for experienced 4WD users.

Some Vital 4WDriving Driving Tips Safety should always be the top priority in any expedition. All people hiring a 4WD vehicle must have an extensive briefing before driving in Fraser Island. Basically, almost all drivers who take note of the briefing and drive with care and travel at a proper pace rarely experience difficulties.

Fraser Island 4WD hire companies should provide enough knowledge to complete your trip safely. In most cases, the 4WD vehicle will be set up for conditions of the island so that adjustments to tyre pressure and others won't be jeopardised along the way.

The hire company may also advise you upon traveling on the eastern beach as the tides on those areas will at times prevent tourists from doing so. Getting an amount of salt water on the hire vehicle can also result you of a large penalty by the hire company. The most popular place to hire the 4WD vehicles for Fraser Island is at Hervey Bay.

It is important to read and follow all signage as all Fraser Island road rules apply for the safety of the tourists.

Do not drink and drive - as in every common road rules. You are not on the mainland of Australia but there are local police officers on the island and normal driving laws apply, plus they are conducting regular Breathalyser checks.

If you want a practical and cost effective Fraser Island 4-Wheel driving you may want to share the expenses for 4 to 6 people. Some tourists may opt depending on their personal budget.