Fraser Island

[justinn]

I am looking for some recommendations for Fraser Island for 4WD Care hire, can anyone recommend a company. It will be a day rental. Also Is there a company that rents out of Brisbane so I do not have to hire a car in Brisbane, Drive to Fraser and rent another there?

It will be for 2 people.

 

[puppysparkes]

I googled Brisbane 4wd rental which return a few options. I couldn't make any recommendations however this appeared at the top of the search list http://australian4wdhire.com.au/fleet/ (not sponsored)

 

[justinn]

I googled Brisbane 4wd rental which return a few options. I couldn't make any recommendations however this appeared at the top of the search list Fleet | Australian 4WD Hire (not sponsored)

I was pouring over Google four hours and I found some that had *fees some that seemed ridiculous so I decided it would be best to see if anyone could recommend a company.

 

[medhead]

This sounds a lot like you want to rent a 4wd in brisbane for a day to go to Fraser Island. Is that correct?

It will be a very long day. I think you'll be hard pressed having any decent amount of time if driving from brisbane and back in 24 hours. The big thing that you're up against is that the majority of 4wd rentals void any insurance if you drive off road. This doesn't preclude dirt roads that are gazetted as roads. But to get the ferry to Fraser you need to drive on the beach. So if someone is prepared to rent to you to go to Fraser then the extra cost is probably related to the risk they're taking.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

A couple of points:

- If it's only for one day, it's really not worth it to hire a 4WD, get the barge over, drive around and get the barge back. You really need more than 1 day, but if that is all you have, I would just do an organised trip and save yourself the stress.

- Although it might be more convenient to hire in Brisbane, the rental places in Hervey Bay (for example) rent them specifically for going over to the island, so there's no grief about taking them on the sand/extra fees/permits etc. They rent either Landcruisers (or Daihasu Ferozas if you can fit your gear in) that are great for the sand, not so much for the 4 hour drive Brisbane to Hervey Bay.

This is who I rented from when I went up a couple of years ago from Hervey Bay and had no issues:

Safari 4WD Hire Fraser Island Vehicle Hire

I can't help with a Brisbane recommendation I'm sorry.

You can fly BNE-HVB with Qantas Link if you like.

 

[justinn]

I was going to Drive up the night before stay in a hotel and then go to Fraser for the day and the following day drive back. I appreciate the HVB flight recommendation, that will save me some time.

 

[BillytheFIsh]

Yeah, just book an organised day trip, it will be much easier and cheaper for you. Or if you really want to self- drive, stay over there for at least 1 night.

Something else I didn't mention, before you take the 4wd they also make you watch a safety video and island induction thing which takes 60-90 minutes, so that will cut into your day as well (you could do it the afternoon before though I suppose, which is what I think we did, got the first barge over, then 2 nights on the island).

 

[puppysparkes]

Heading up the night before is an excellent idea. I have no doubt you've done your research, including driving on Fraser, but if you haven't, this link gives a good overview: Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park - About Fraser Island (Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing) I've been once, rather ashamed it hasn't been more often tbh. The fresh water creeks with sandy beds are amazing. Don't forget to observe the dingo safety rules. Keep an eye for wash outs when driving, the geography of the beach changes hourly.

 

[waimate01]

As others have mentioned, one day isn't long for this sort of caper, given all that's involved in getting there and back.

An alternative, which offers a somewhat similar experience, is to pick up a 4WD at Tin Can Bay and drive out to Double Island Point, past the wreck of the Cherry Venture, etc. Obviously you're not "on Frazer Island", but the geography is pretty much identical and if you look at a map it's apparent why. Big advantage is no ferry transfers, etc -- just drive in a 2WD from Brisbane to Tin Can Bay, pick up the 4WD, straight onto the beach and off you go. Reverse the process at the end. Much more efficient when time is limited.

 

[justinn]

I see the Kingfisher Resort Bay Resort is on Fraser, has anyone ever experienced the resort?

 

[wooley]

I see the Kingfisher Resort Bay Resort is on Fraser, has anyone ever experienced the resort?

I stayed there a couple of years back now.
Was quite a nice setup, accommodation, service and food and beverage was very good.

I'd suggest that unless you're a keen 4 wheel driver and/or love stress, a guided tour might be a better option.

It's not to say it will happen but I've seen a lot of people stuck in hire cars even on the main tracks which then lead to hours of "fun" through incorrect recovery. Stressing everyone out.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

An alternative, which offers a somewhat similar experience, is to pick up a 4WD at Tin Can Bay and drive out to Double Island Point, past the wreck of the Cherry Venture, etc. Obviously you're not "on Frazer Island", but the geography is pretty much identical

Either I've missed a lot of the rainbow Beach experience, or it's not very similar to Fraser IMHO. Driving on the beach is similar, but Fraser has so much more to experience.

Beware, Fraser also has funnel web spiders. I've done the day trip and it's worth it if that's all the time you can spare....better than missing it altogether....but more days would be good. When I was at kingfisher Bay resort it was undergoing a make over, which it needed. I've no idea of the state of the place now.