How long is the boat ride from Rainbow Beach to Fraser Island?

Australia is no stranger to stunning island getaways: Fitzroy, Kangaroo, Rottnest, Tassie – they all combine to comprise Australia’s miraculous series of beautiful outpost holiday spots!

Fraser Island is another one of these dream locations, being a sparkling jewel located right off the sunny Queensland coast and full of adventure for days.

Whether you’re 4WDing along 75 Mile Beach, soaking up the salty waters at Lake McKenzie, hiking one of the island’s sublime forest trails or checking out the Maheno Shipwreck, Fraser Island is a place where you can relax as much as you want or enjoy some truly free-spirited adventure!

To get to Fraser Island, you need to take the barge from Inskip Point, located just around the bend from Rainbow Beach. The barge only takes about 10 minutes and operates a few times a day, ensuring you’re not short of opportunities to take your 4WD across to this big, beautiful island.

These unforgettable adventures await you on when you get there:

Lake McKenzie

Fraser Island isn’t known for its ocean swimming. In fact, it’s highly recommended that you avoid going offshore as a means to refresh yourself on this balmy tropical island, as the waters can get pretty rowdy at the best of times.

But what would a tropical island be without somewhere to swim? Luckily, Fraser Island isn’t short of options, the most famous of which is the gorgeous Lake McKenzie – renowned for its optimal tranquillity as well as the near-pure silica sand, said to provide wondrous exfoliating properties (who needs a mainland day spa?).

The Maheno Shipwreck

The Maheno Shipwreck has been lying around 75 Mile Beach for nearly 100 hundreds, and today stands as a testament to the Fraser Island weather’s ability to make seafaring quite unpleasant (a wild cyclone forced the ship to drift onto the island).

But that’s all good, because today the Maheno Shipwreck is one of Fraser Island’s top attractions: a giant, rusted wreck that sits on the sand so perfectly, beckoning explorers to check out its well-preserved structure.

Central Station

Central Station camping area can be found inland amongst the island’s gorgeous tropical rainforest, and it is truly one of the most sublime places to camp in all of Australia.

The peace and natural serenity that surrounds you at Central Station is just another reason why this island is such a special place to explore!

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.