K'gari, Great Sandy National Park Butchulla Country Fraser Coast

Cool off at your shady camp site. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government

Be Dingo-Safe! on K'gari

The best way to protect yourself, fellow visitors and the dingoes (wongari) is by planning ahead to Be Dingo-Safe.

Critical information for your safety

Critical information for your safety is included in the conditions report—always check it before you visit.

Dundubara (tent site) camping area

Access to scenic walks and brilliant beach fishing make this sheltered and well-equipped camping area a great place to stay.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets (flush)
  • Waste transfer station
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
  • Tent camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Hot showers (paid)
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Walking
  • Scenic drive
  • Fishing

Always check

Tucked inland from the beach, your camp site will be sheltered from strong ocean winds and surrounded by a shady woodland.

Explore the nearby Wun'gul Sandblow or head to the beach for a stroll along the sandy shore. If you’re feeling energetic, the 22.4km return Lake Bowarrady walk is for you.

As the sun sets, grab your firewood and camp chairs and join the other campers around the fire. Swap your favourite island yarns to the backdrop of waves gently crashing ashore.

Greet the morning sun as it rises over the ocean horizon and see how many of the island's birds make an appearance.

Note: this camping area has a dingo deterrent fence and is recommended for families with children 14 years and under.

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

Dundubara camping area 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

Dundubara camping area 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.

Map: Dundubara camping area map (PDF, 1.3MB)

Camping area features: large, formal fenced camping area, variety of sites to choose from and access to walks and other attractions. Camp sites are set back behind the dunes in coastal forest and there is a 9pm noise curfew in place.

Location: on the central east coast of K'gari, approximately 75km north of the Hook Point barge landing area and 19km south of Tukkee Wurroo (Indian Head).

Access: high clearance 4WDs, off-road camper trailers.

Number of sites: 42 groups permitted (tent camping) in large open areas and 5 clearly marked camper trailer sites. Trailer sites are not numbered on the ground but are defined by the trailer symbol. There is a large group site for schools and other organised groups of between 20 and 40 people.
Please note: You must specifically book your camper trailer into a trailer site. Only 1 camper trailer per trailer site. Tent sites do not accommodate trailers. Please consider others and keep your camp compact. Some camping capacity is reserved for commercial operators.

Camp sites are suitable for: Tent camping—walk-in camping. Trailer sites—off-road camper trailers.

Camp site surface: Grass and sand

Facilities: water taps (treat water before drinking), flushing toilets, coin-operated hot showers, picnic tables, communal fire rings and washing-up facilities. Rubbish bins are at QPWS waste transfer station on the beach—1km north of the Dundubara entrance track. A portable toilet waste disposal facility is located on the Dundubara entrance track.

Open fires: Permitted in QPWS-provided fire rings in the communal areas only (refer to map). No fires are permitted at Dundubara when QPWS fire prohibition or local fire bans are imposed—check the K'gari Conditions Report. Please note: If you intend to use one of the fire rings, you must bring your own untreated milled timber (or mill off-cuts). It is illegal to collect firewood—including leaves and twigs for kindling—in the recreation area. Read: bushfire safety.

Generators: not permitted

Essentials to bring: fuel or gas stoves, first-aid kit, prescription medicines (if needed), water containers, rubbish bags, insect repellent, $2 coins for showers, untreated milled timber off-cuts if you wish to use the communal fire rings, sand pegs, tarpaulins, extra poles, ropes and lockable food storage containers. Smokers should bring small sealable canisters for cigarette butts. Also see: before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings (up to 6 months) required for holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: is available around the Dundubara office, a short walk from the camping area.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting K'gari safely and camp with care.