you have only got about a 2 hour window either side of low tide to get around the trees at hook point if you want to drive up the beach ,
This is some of the best advice you'll get. Our coast line has been smashed over the last 12-18 months. Beach travel is still good, but sucks in some spots.
My advice would be, seeing as though you're travelling a long way, and need to do it again to get home, avoid the beach run from Noosa through Double Island Point to Rainbow Beach. The beach has been smashed lately, and there's a very good chance, that you'll get 80% of the way, then be forced to turn around and head through Freshwater Track. It's an easy drive, plenty to see and such, but if you've driven that far, skip it, stick to the bitumen and save your self a lot of wasted time, and follow the signs off the hwy to Rainbow Beach.
If you get to Inskip Point outside of a few hours of a big low tide, I'd suggest using the inside track on Fraser. It's rough as guts, but will bypass the most of the vehicle claiming area of Fraser Is, Hook Point. But in saying that, Hook Point is very negotiable. You may end up with salt water up to the sill of your vehicle, and you may not. But, if I'm a couple of hours outside of a big low tide, I avoid it. You can always run through Hook Point on your return.
When travelling the inland tracks of Fraser, always sit up the bum of a tour bus. There's heaps of them, so you wont find it a hassle to follow one. The tracks are single vehicle, with who ever gives way first, does so. 95% of the vehicles give way to the buses, so follow closely to them, as their power of the road, becomes yours as a tailgater.
Don't be terrified of dingos. I have been bitten by a few dogs, but never a dingo. Be aware of dingos, but not terrified of them.
Be aware of what the barge operators tell you. They'll tell what their mood depicts. Many times I hear "Old mate on the barge said such and such". He has a 12 hour a day job, dealing with tourists, back packers, rain, intense QLD sun and LOTS of stupid people. He'll tell you what ever the hell he feels like at the time, and smile convincingly. The ladies selling the ice though, they're good chicks, and won't tell you crap. If you need condition reports etc, these are the chicks to talk too.
Commercial fisherman are like barge operators, ie cranky, but their Missus' are usually great. Take advice from them, not the cranky old men.
Fraser Island is spectacular. Beach travel is too easy, no hills, no lights etc, but it changes from day to day. The internet report you may read when you leave home, may well be irrelevant when you get there. Be smart, be sensible and drive back home once you have finished this spectacular island. Don't become another photo on the wall of Rainbow Beach Hotel. For every hairy beach negotiation, there's an inland track. If it doesn't feel right, go inland.
Once you've seen Fraser, go home the scenic route, if the weather and tides permit. You'll see not much more than you've already seen on the island. You'll see some coloured sand, but I reckon you'll be sick to death of sand by that time.....
Fraser is one of the coolest places on this country. You'll love it I'm sure, BUT PLEASE don't rely on conditions reports from the net or the QLD Parks Rangers. PLEASE talk to the locals, especially their wives, they won't lie to you. Cranky old men will tell whatever the hell they feel like at the time.
It is a beautiful place. If you use common sense, listen to locals (not cranky old men), you'll have a ball. Remember this is Queensland, beautiful one day, cyclonic the next.
Shane.
