Look for speed signs on the upper dunes of beaches.
Speed limits on the island:
80 km/hr (maximum) on the eastern beach
30 km/hr on inland roads and beach pedestrian areas
50 km/hr on Hook Point inland road
40 km/hr shared use areas.
Driving safely
To keep visitors safe, new laws are being introduced for 4WD hire vehicles. See the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) website for more information.
Fraser Island’s beaches and sandy inland roads are suitable only for 4WD vehicles. Engage 4WD and lock hubs just before you start driving on the sand. Most inland tracks are only suitable for high clearance vehicles. Read and pay attention to all signage. All road rules apply.
Don't let your trip turn to tragedy.
Slow down when passing pedestrians and beachgoers, especially around the Maheno wreck. Pedestrians and beachgoers often cannot hear approaching vehicles above the sound of the surf and wind. Vehicles must give way to pedestrians in shared zones.
Stay alert when driving on Fraser Island. Reckless driving and silly pranks have led to accidents. Passengers have suffered serious spinal injuries in vehicles travelling too fast for the road or beach conditions. If your driver makes you feel unsafe in a vehicle—say something. Slow is safe!
Beaches have particular driving hazards.
Deep washouts can happen at anytime, particularly after heavy rain and rough seas.
Wave action can expose dangerous rocks overnight.
Weather conditions and tides can wash up logs and erode dunes, leaving trees and roots exposed.
Big high tides can cover the entire beach, with waves washing up to the foredunes and leaving no option but to drive through salt water. This is dangerous. Your vehicle may sink, roll over or be quickly flooded by the rising tide.
Driving on the western beach is not recommended.
The ever-changing weed banks that lie buried under the sand along the western beach (and occasionally on the eastern beach) deceive even experienced drivers. Your vehicle may sink quickly. Tow trucks are many hours away. Drive with another 4WD or enjoy a walk instead.
Do not enter areas along the western beach, which are closed to vehicle access. Check your map for details.
Normal road rules apply
All inland roads, vehicle tracks and beaches are designated roads and normal road rules apply. Police patrol all areas of Fraser Island. Speed checks and breath testing can happen at any time of day. Maximum allowable blood alcohol level for drivers in Australia is 0.05 (0.00 for those on a licence equivalent to a learner or provisional licence).
Police also conduct random drug testing for illegal substances, such as marijuana, ecstasy, speed and ice. If you are planning to drive, plan not to drink alcohol and never take illegal drugs.
Always drive to suit conditions. Driving on sand is very different to driving on normal roads. Slow down and follow vehicles at a safe distance. A safe driving speed may be lower than the signed speed limit.
Only use indicators when overtaking, turning or pulling out from a parked position. Keep to the left of oncoming vehicles at all times.
Seatbelts
Everyone must wear seat belts when travelling in the vehicle—it’s the law!
A driver (and any passenger over the age of 16) breaking these laws risks a $300 fine and (for Australians) three demerit points. The driver will also have to pay an additional $300 for every passenger not wearing a seatbelt, regardless of the passenger’s age.
Giving way
All standard give-way rules apply. However, most of the roads are narrow and carry two-way traffic. When safe, give way to buses, trucks and to vehicles travelling downhill or towing trailers. Passing bays are frequent. If possible, drive forwards into them.
Aircraft landing zones are signposted along the beach. Planes need to land on the harder sand close to the water’s edge. Vehicles should move to the upper beach, but not onto vegetated dunes.
All wildlife is protected. Approach dingoes, resting shorebirds and all other wildlife slowly, and carefully drive around them.
yogi
