Going to Fraser Island / tides

[robndeb]

Hello everyone we have just joined this web site it looks terrific.
In August we will be picking up our new "Lifestyle Hyper Camper", once all packed up we are heading for Fraser Island. As we have not been there before we are wondering what does one do when the low tide times are at 6pm? We are planning on getting the barge at Inskip Point, so do you go at 4 and camp close and then move on the next morning?
Our hybrid camper is about 20' in total length so hoping it will go over the dunes to those close by camps!
Would we be better to go over via the kingfisher bay barge and go the inland route?
Hoping someone can give us some advice
RobnDeb

[banksy69]

Stay at Inskip the night then get the barge at 5am, give yourself time.
Getting bogged, flat Tyre, trailer or car problems at hook point late in the arvo is not good = stuff all cars going that late.
I was at the Cape last weekend and the beach was good, but that can change overnight.

[robndeb]

I thought the first barge from there was at 6am?
If we did that and high tide is at 11am? would we get through?
Thanks RobnDeb

[banksy69]

I thought the first barge from there was at 6am? Enough cars in a group and Costa will sometimes start early, ring and ask.
If we did that and high tide is at 11am? would we get through? Should but nothing is a given, seen that beach destroyed in one tide.
Tides are not all the same height, moon phase dictates how big they are. [make sure you look at the inskip tides]
A south or south easterly wind will also push the water further up the beach.
Where do you plan on stopping the first night?
 

[robndeb]

Not sure it depends how far and when we can start.
Also our camper is about 20' in length and we are not sure whether it would make it over the sand dunes that are at far southern camping areas?
we are not sure where the best place for us camping with the trailer would be
Thanks robndeb

[GUEY]

To give an idea ( conditions change) we were on on Fraser a couple of weeks ago.
Coming home we had a high at 8.30 am. At 11.30am we cruised around Hook point no dramas. Just a bit of soft sand on the very southern point.
I'd be inclined to head over around 3pm and run the miners road. That will get you 18k up the beach and by that time a bit harder sand to run on for the rest of the way.

Bare in mind, that was with me getting towed from just south of Eurong, on and off the barge and through Inskip Point so a pretty heavy haul

[Rumpig]

Tide heights vary with the moon phases and wind conditions (as in continuos onshore strong winds  blowing for days etc), so depending on exactly when you go depends on how big an issue timing around the high tide can be.

[GUEY]

Tide heights vary with the moon phases and wind conditions (as in continuos onshore strong winds  blowing for days etc), so depending on exactly when you go depends on how big an issue timing around the high tide can be.

Agree. And if going across from Kingfisher, the inland tracks can be a bit rough and slow going depending on the traffic they have seen leading up to when you go.

[Nomad]

First barge is at 6.00am.
I would stay in Rainbow the night and be on that first barge and then you have a couple of hours of good driving to get up to wherever it is you want to camp.

Fuel up in Rainbow and basic camp out at inskip for the night and your on your way in the morning.

Have a great trip

 

[GBC]

I would strongly recommend against towing a 20ft anything out of kingfisher. Not worth it. When  you meet an oncoming vehicle on the mad mile shenanigans will ensue. The woongoolbva barge/road to central will be ok, but then you have to tow from central to the back beach the next day. Better to wait a night at inskip and make your early morning run up the beach to your campsite and do day trips on the inland tracks without towing. I tow on them to get to remoter parts, but it is never fun, especially performing passing manoeuvres with other trailers or busses.

[chisel]

I'd probably go with the other votes and do an early morning run from Rainbow/Inskip.  That time of year it will be dark at 6am and 6pm but obviously you have the day ahead of you if there are issues at 6am.

[ATC]

Perhaps aiming to take the barge from inskip and land on fraser island 3-4 hours before low tide  so you are driving up on a falling tide and have a larger time to get from the south end to your chosen camp-site.

 

Sent from my SM-T815Y using Tapatalk

[edz]

A few easy spots and some with mild dune climbs in camping zone 5 [ Maheno / Wahba ] and some good  flat grassy protected spots with little or not much dune to climb in camping zone 6  [ Eugarie / Yurru / Gurruman ] would be the pick of the bunch, that would suit your 20 footer [ though that could all change with one storm ]
Example pics from Eugarie [ from memory ] .

[Footy Shorts Shane]

Bare in mind, that was with me getting towed from just south of Eurong, on and off the barge and through Inskip Point so a pretty heavy haul

I think I saw that. Anzac Day weekend? Strap let go coming off the barge?

[GUEY]

I think I saw that. Anzac Day weekend? Strap let go coming off the barge?

That's the one

[robndeb]

Thanks everyone for all your replies that certainly helps us and answers our queries. We can't wait 

[Beachman]

Agree with everything which has previously been mentioned especially about waiting for the first morning barge. Driving on sand at night is hard at the best of times with the salt mist, but with the amount of washouts Fraser has along with the weight of your trailer makes a recipe for disaster.   

Plus at night it’s near impossible to find suitable/ideal camping grounds.

[castlemaine49]

I would strongly recommend against towing a 20ft anything out of kingfisher. Not worth it. When  you meet an oncoming vehicle on the mad mile shenanigans will ensue. The woongoolbva barge/road to central will be ok, but then you have to tow from central to the back beach the next day. Better to wait a night at inskip and make your early morning run up the beach to your campsite and do day trips on the inland tracks without towing. I tow on them to get to remoter parts, but it is never fun, especially performing passing manoeuvres with other trailers or busses.

I would strongly recommend taking GBC's advise. Have fun. Make sure you make it to Lake Wabby, a good walk but worth it.

[barrel01]

Literally just came off Fraser after spending 5 nights. Travelled all over including up the cape, as long as you don't do anything silly it is quite easy. Towed my 1900kg camper to Eugarie camping zone. Just take the inland track around hook point if you are in doubt.
The spots around camp zone 6 are good. Mine was just before the no camping sign just south of  Cathedrals. Plenty of room for 2 camper trailers with some dune shelter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dogsbreakfast]

As mentioned before - don't go from kingfisher. If something went wrong you would never get your van back up the hill into kingfisher. You really want to be doing it at the end of the outgoing tide as a lot of trees/vegetation can be present washed up at hook point. You can take the inland road if you have to but it is 18k of slow going with all the ruts/potholes.
There are heaps of easy access sites, correct tyre pressures on car and van = too easy.