Dear All - Can anyone please recommend me any public buses/train that is operating between Brisbane to Fraser Island - or nearest point for embarking on a boat onwards the island?
I just don't wanna fly on this short route and just wondered if there's any way to get there by using public transportation?
Thanks for everyone!
22,727 posts
30 helpful votes What are you planning on doing “on the island”? Are you planning on taking a tour from Hervey Bay or stay at Kingfisher Resort and take a tour from there (unless you have your own transport which you obviously don’t).
You can get to Hervey Bay by bus or a combo of train or bus, neither of which are “public transport”.
Also, be aware that it is a four hour drive in a car from Brisbane to HB - longer by alternative transport. So flight might be expensive but it is quite scenic and very short.
Cheers.
Well you can take the train to Maryborough West, then you still have to get to River Heads. It will take a long time with a lot of faffing around. You can see the process and timetable on Queensland Rail (Tilt train).
Flying is a lot easier. I did that on Monday morning and had a transfer from the airport to River Heads for the barge, then stayed 2nights at Kingfisher Bay Resort and left the island this morning. It’s a fabulous place. I want to go back!
Thanks for both!
Well my primary goal would be just spending a day on Fraser island, looking around nothing special.
The only reason why I'm asking is because we will be flying out ex Melbourne and not sure which would be cheaper to fly to Hervey bay directly or just to Brisbane and then taking the bus/train up north...
If taking the bus/train is cheaper than it is not a time issue as we have loads of time, so could just save some money on travelling.
What do you think?
A discounted air fare would cost around EUR 100 to get to Hervey Bay ex Melbourne and not sure if we saved some money on the flight on flying just to Brisbane and then an additional amount on the bus/train fare...
You can’t just look around on the island though. You will need transport for that, so you need a tour. It’s a lot bigger than you seem to realise. You’d need to book a day tour from Hervey Bay. There is no public transport on the island.
The barge will cost $50 for the return but then you’re going to be stuck at Kingfisher Bay.
Edited: 6 years ago
22,727 posts
30 helpful votes Please read the info on this website: https://visitfraserisland.com.au for info on the island/transport etc.
Fraser is not somewhere you decide to “wander around” on foot.
For context, can you tell us what else you are thinking of doing/how long you have in Aus/how long you have in southern Queensland/time of year you are visiting?
It is hard to provide good recommendations without that info.
Cheers
thanks guys, will check out the link you provided definitely.
Well, no exact plans for Fraser island, just though of some "sea-sun-sand" day on the island. We definitely do not plan to stay here longer as we are heading to Brisbane and further down to Gold Coast and then to Byron Bay in the next days so it will be just a hop-on/off tour just spending a day in each locations before flying back to SYD ex Ballina.
We also plan to use buses/trains all along the way between Hervey Bay (or nearest station) to Brisbane and then Gold Coast and then Byron Bay so hope we can somehow hop on and off on any buses/trains all along the way as - obviously flying from one place to the other is not too economical..
You can get a Greyhound HOHO bus pass ... the trains don't work like that, you would have to buy individual tickets and there are only a couple of trains per day in rural areas.
Without transport or a tour you are wasting your time going to Fraser Is ... you won't see anything worthwhile.
I've seen lots of amazing photos of Fraser Island and decided to stick to this one instead of visiting the Whitsunday - with (almost) similar beaches and scenery..
From River Heads can we take maybe a ferry ride or similar to the island?
In case planning to see the iconic shipwreck I understand it would be easier to find an organized tour is that right?
22,727 posts
30 helpful votes To do anything worthwhile on Fraser Island you need to do a tour. There is no point taking the ferry over for the day and being stuck at the ferry point. The island is almost 100km long and the things you have seen photos of are not walking distance from the ferry. It is a full day to tour the island and most people would recommend an overnight tour to get the most out of it.
You need to get to Hervey Bay, stay there overnight and then do your single or two day tour the next day, coming back to Hervey Bay and staying overnight again.
Alternatively you can book Accom at Kingfisher Resort and they can arrange an island tour for you.
Cheers.
Take a look at a map ... the ferry arrives on the western side EVERYTHING you want to see is on the other side of the island or in the centre. Unless you can trek 10 klms on sand roads all you will see is the wharf.
