Fraser Island - couple of quick Q's

[ewwreckers]

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot, but just have a couple of questions about Fraser.
Will road tyres let down be alright to use?  We have gone all up and down Stockton beach on our current tyres (without needing to let them down) but we've never been to Fraser before so any info will help!
We're staying at Dundubara campsite and I have found a barge across that's $60 from Inskip Point.  We can get one to Kingfisher for $150, but Vic wants to know which one we would be better off going from.

Cheers
Vanessa

[deepop]

G'day Vanessa,

Road tyres will work - just be careful, when they're deflated and you're doing some inland tracks because they're bagging out a bit they're more susceptible to damage.   They also have a weaker sidewall so the broken tree roots on the tracks might cause some trouble.

Take the $60- barge from Inskip - it's a very quick trip too.   Time the tides right and you'll get around Hook Pt. and up the beach all the way to Dundabarra (sp.).   Don't forget you've got to get back too so get a return pass - I believe it's cheaper than two one-ways.   And it's an easier run fully loaded than across the island from Kingfisher.

[Jeepers Creepers]

x 2

[Shane083]

another option is to go from river heads to wanggoolba creek, still be $160 but the track is generally pretty good and you dont have to worry about tides as much

[fuji]

IMO, pick your times because if it was me I wouldn't do it. And as previous post the be mindful of inland tracks, sand is verrrrrrrry soft. Enjoy.

[Squalo]

Drive it like you stole it! Hehehe. Road tyres are ok, our friends in a Tribute had no probs (to be fair the sand wasn't as dry on that trip as it is right now, though).




Put your barge return ticket in a very safe place so it doesn't disappear during your Fraser sojourn. Otherwise it's pay again to get back to Inskip Point.

Inskip Point will be your main nemesis as far as getting bogged goes, so deflate tyres to 22psi or so then charge across to the barge. Maybe even walk it first, and get everyone out of the car if the sand is bad, as all that extra weight works against you.

Dundubara is a great campground. Take lots of $1 coins for the hot showers. Take a garden hose too if you want to wash your car down, there are taps there.

[BigJules]

I have found most of Fraser to be easier driving than much of Stockton. There are some places that can be difficult for any vehicle at certain times, but it mostly comes down to tyre pressure, not the type of tyre. If you see people stuck, consider your tyre pressure before you proceed.

[ewwreckers]

Thanks everyone!
Vic grew up on the coast so can drive alright on sand.  His words when we went on Stockton (his old stomping ground) were 'if I have to deflate the tyres, I'll pack and up, go home, and die of shame' lol
Barge tickets will be put somewhere safe in the car, and looked it up again it's $60 return so cheering on a few dollars saved there...more Margarita's for me lol

[Rumpig]

Vic grew up on the coast so can drive alright on sand.  His words when we went on Stockton (his old stomping ground) were 'if I have to deflate the tyres, I'll pack and up, go home, and die of shame' lol

hopefully he'll deflate the tyres to get a longer footprint on the tyres for Fraser, as it's less likely to damage the tracks that run through the island. i don't understand why someone wouldn't deflate for driving on sand, it's much easier on the driver and vehicle alround.

[Jeepers Creepers]

I doubt you'll get a return barge trip for $60.00.

Even the "same day Sunday" return price is $80.00. If you are towing a CT, it's $150.00 return and being a local, we can't get a discount on that....... 

[Bird]

I think the most important thing is pick and plan your tides... Driving on hard sand you can do in a Capella.

Tyre pressures come in second and are extremely important.

Dont be scared to drop to 10-14psi... just dont corner fast, or you will roll a tyre off the rim.

But when the tide is up, your on the beach going from one long section to another and your up in the much chewed soft sand, you can be in faeces extremely quick on any tyre.

Make sure you have good recovery points on your car and your own recovery gear so someone can rescue you. Most people wont lend their gear, it isnt cheap.


Now go there and have a ****in blast, Love Fraser, and cant wait to go back.....

[BigJules]

His words when we went on Stockton (his old stomping ground) were 'if I have to deflate the tyres, I'll pack and up, go home, and die of shame' lol

I am surprised that anyone can actually drive on Stockton without deflating their tyres? I certainly can't. There is no shame is letting ones tyres down; my rule is (in hot weather) go straight to 10psi and tell everyone else you're running 20  .

[ewwreckers]

Jeepers, I just googled barges a few weeks ago and came across this page
http://www.discoverherveybay.com/FraserIsland/fraser7.htm
Right down the bottom is  RAINBOW VENTURE & ELIZA FRASER who have listed $60 return inc vehicle, driver and passengers. I'll be ringing to find out why they're so cheap compared to others and what the fine print is.  We're not taking the CT out, we'll tent it out there as we're pretty sure mates CT isn't 4WD.
Yeah Vic will be dropping tyre pressure, and just to make sure will take and extra tyre as well as the spare to be sure. 
Recovery gear is on the list of stuff to pack/buy!

Rumpig, Don't know why he wouldn't deflate the tyres when we were on Stockton.  Think he was having flashbacks to his earlier years and 4WD'ing with his mates lol  He'll definately be deflating out at Fraser though

BigJules, the first day it was just us without the kids and was all soft sand and it go really boggy in some patches. He knew all the dunes and was reminiscing having a great old time, I was crapping myself wondering how/if we were going to get out lol , the 2nd day there had been rain so it was easy as to drive on and me and the kids had a blast.  I should know, after all these years, we've never gotten into a situation we couldn't get out of ......although it does get a bit hairy at times!

[Rumpig]

Right down the bottom is  RAINBOW VENTURE & ELIZA FRASER who have listed $60 return inc vehicle, driver and passengers. I'll be ringing to find out why they're so cheap compared to others and what the fine print is. 

i see no mention of Mnata Ray barges on that list, makes me wonder if it's not an old Kingfisher price list maybe? the River Heads price on that link says $150, but if you go to the Kingfisher page and check for price it is listed as $155, so possibly an old link?
will be interested to hear what the info. is you get from the phone call.
cheers.

[sablesoft]

i see no mention of Mnata Ray barges on that list, makes me wonder if it's not an old Kingfisher price list maybe? the River Heads price on that link says $150, but if you go to the Kingfisher page and check for price it is listed as $155, so possibly an old link?
will be interested to hear what the info. is you get from the phone call.
cheers.

Hi,

All the barges at Inskip point are now owned and run by Mantaray, that was from the barge crew when I went to the Myswag Fraser island trip in July was $150 return car and trailer and I think $100 car only, so I think it is an old out of date web page.

Ray

[ewwreckers]

I did wonder how old the site was and if that was why it was so cheap

[Bird]

I am surprised that anyone can actually drive on Stockton without deflating their tyres? I certainly can't. There is no shame is letting ones tyres down; my rule is (in hot weather) go straight to 10psi and tell everyone else you're running 20 

But your not uber awesome like him.

[ewwreckers]

Don't know about Uber Awesome....he can be Uber Stubborn lol

[BigJules]

But your not uber awesome like him.

I am too

[edz]

http://mantarayfraserislandbarge.com.au/
For you ..and http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides/MAPS/qld.shtml
To check your tide ( we use Waddy Point for location )times for arrival + beach cam for Rainbow Beach to see what things are like up there before you arrive ..http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/cameras_large.aspx?cam=485&state=QLD