K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) Great Walk Butchulla Country Fraser Coast

Rest your weary feet surrounded by birdsong and verdant rainforest. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government

Walk almost the full length of the island on this 90km Great Walk. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche

Central Station great walk camp sites

Rest and recharge after a day of walking at this well-equipped camping area nestled in shady forest and alive with birdsong.

Accessible by

  • Walk-in

Camping area facilities

  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
  • Tent camping
  • Long walk to tent
  • Walking

Always check

You’ll be glad to slip off your boots and drop your pack at this peaceful camping area after the day on the K'gari Great Walk.

Pitch your tent in the shade of towering K'gari satinay, brush box, kauri pines, blue quandong and piccabeen palms, and surrounded by a carpet of ferns. The forest is alive with a cacophony of bird song—see how many different species you can hear.

If there’s enough daylight and your legs are obliging, explore the nearby Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk before heading over to the Central Station camping area for a shower (bring a $2 coin).

This park is part of the K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of coastal dune landform development and evolutionary history.

Getting there and getting around

Central Station walkers' camp is on K'gari, 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane.

Getting to K'gari

You can get to the island by high clearance 4WD, on foot, by plane or with a commercial tour.

By 4WD

  • Your high clearance 4WD must have low range functions.
  • Remember all vehicles must be registered, drivers must be licensed and all Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
  • A vehicle access permit must be purchased. Display the permit on your windscreen before driving in the recreation area.

From Inskip Point (15mins from Rainbow Beach)

  • At the end of the bitumen on Inskip Point Road, reduce tyre pressure, engage 4WD and drive 500m onto the beach.
  • Drive onto the Manta Ray barge for the 10–15min trip to Hook Point on the southern tip of K'gari, and the start of the Eastern Beach scenic drive.
  • Bookings for this barge are not required.

From River Heads (east of Maryborough)

  • Travel 10.6km along River Heads Road to the Barges loading area.
  • The trip to Wanggoolba Creek on the western side of K'gari takes 30–45min.
  • The trip to Kingfisher Bay on the western side of K'gari takes 50mins–1hr.
  • These barges run at fixed times and bookings are essential.

On foot

  • Walkers can board a vehicle barge to the island (details above) or arrive by plane.

By plane

By private vessel

  • Access K'gari's sheltered western coastline by private vessel. The eastern coastline of the island is extremely hazardous and exposed to very rough ocean conditions.
  • Launch your boat at one of the many boat ramps on the mainland between Tin Can Bay and Burnett Heads. There are no boat ramps on K'gari.
  • See Maritime Safety Queensland's Beacon to Beacon Guides for the Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay for detailed navigational maps.
  • The waters adjacent to K'gari are in the Great Sandy Marine Park.
  • If you're heading out on the water make sure you know your zones so you can follow the rules.
  • Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.

Commercial tours

  • You can join a range of tours that leave from a variety of centres.
  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Central Station walkers' camp is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

  • Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

The K'gari Great Walk is generally open from 1 March to 31 October each year.

  • At all other times the fire danger risk may be too high.
  • The dates depend on environmental conditions and will vary each year.
  • Check park alerts for the latest information.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) Great Walk safely and camp with care.

View all park alerts