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EARLY PREVIEW

OVERVIEW

Solos Only

Fraser Island is a World Heritage-listed Island, the largest sand island in the world stretching over 123 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres at its widest point.  It is at the start of the Great Barrier Reef, and is a rare and beautiful holiday destination.  Fraser Island offers untamed wilderness and rugged, natural charm.

Join a small group experience with this guided walking tour, a 4WD adventure and fully accommodated resort stays. 

Once here, slip into island living and explore the tracks which criss-cross the world's largest sand island.  Immerse yourself in the ancient rainforests, which flourish in dune valleys, coloured sand cliffs on Seventy-Five Mile Beach or the mirrored lakes, ringed with gold, which tempt even the most reluctant swimmers.

Nature’s art-gallery turns on seasonal exhibitions: wild spring flowers, lazy summer days, the colours of autumn and wintry wilderness. And all this is just a 45-minute flight from Brisbane and a short hop from Hervey Bay on the stunning Fraser Coast.

Experience the excitement for solo travellers, that this island has to offer.

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PACKAGE DETAILS
  • Ages:
    40+
  • Duration:
    6 Days
  • Status:
    Early preview
  • Region:
    Oceania
  • Destinations:
    Australia
  • Travel Style:
    Get Going
  • Accommodation:
    Resort
  • Prices:
    @standard price from $2615 for your own room
  • Transport:
    4WD vehicle
  • Pace:
    3
  • Max Group Size:
    maximum 16
REVIEWS

'The 3 main reasons I book my holidays with Encounter: 
- everything is organised for me 
- safety & company of a group 
- age appropriate'

 Rose, 50 years , Melbourne, VIC

'I am not a regular walker but maintain my fitness. Fraser Island walk is very achievable for novices like myself, with options to go further if your the hard core walker.  A beautiful island with scenery that is breathtaking.  At the end destination of some of our walks an amazing freshwater lake surrounded by white sand to cool off. I would highly recommend this tour. '

 Marisa, 56 years, Brisbane, QLD
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INCLUSIONS

TRAVEL:

  • Return passenger ferry transfers from Mainland to Fraser Island
  • 4WD Island transfers as detailed on itinerary

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

  • 3 nights accommodation, Eurong Beach Resort
  • 2 nights accommodation, Kingfisher Bay Resort
  • 5 breakfasts
  • 4 x morning teas
  • 4 lunches
  • 5 dinners

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES:

  • Sightseeing as detailed on the itinerary
  • 4WD tour to Champagne Pools
  • English-speaking locally based ranger guide/s 

OTHER

  • Complimentary sunset drink
  • Small group, not more than 16 travellers

Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for joining this tour and is in addition to the package price.

Not included: 

  • Airfares
  • Airport Transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Excess baggage
  • Visa fees
  • Any tips or porterage at airports, hotels, drivers & local staff
  • Meals and beverages not specified on itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry & medical expenses
  • Incidental expenses such as taxi fares, telecommunications

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Departure Dates for this tour

Departure
Status
Price from
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18 - 23 APR 2020
Early bird offer
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Trip Code: fiw20-4

Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Walk through the forest and see the beautiful emerald green Lake Wabby
  • Trek over Hammerstone Sandblow
  • Visit Pile Valley to see the giant Satinay trees
  • See beautiful Lake Birrabeen
  • Visit the Maheno Shipwreck
  • See the coloured sands of The Pinnacles
  • Visit the Champagne Pools
  • Take a dip in Eli Creek
  • A visit to Z Force Fraser Commando School
  • Visit beautiful Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island
  • A highlight dinner at Seabelle restaurant, Kingfisher Bay Resort
  • Enjoy relaxing resort accommodation 

DAY 1 
Arrive To Fraser Island

Arrival to Hervey Bay is by your own arrangement. 

Your holiday will commence with a ferry from the Mainland, River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek at 4pm.  It’s just a half hour ferry ride from River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek.

You will then be transferred by 4WD to Eurong Beach Resort, located approximately 1 hour away.

Tonight enjoy a buffet dinner at your hotel with your group. As a note, the group is at their leisure this evening, and you meet your guide tomorrow, day two of the itinerary.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 
Lake Wabby, Hammerstone Sandblow and 75 Mile Beach

Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel.

This morning you will meet with your guide to commence your beach walk to One Tree Rocks. After a brief rest stop, you will continue to Hammerstone Sandblow.  Here you will trek over one of Fraser's vast desert-like sand blows to the beach.

Continue the walk through the forest to the beautiful emerald-green Lake Wabby, Fraser's deepest lake and a favourite swimming hole.  It's so completely different to the rest of the island's lakes and a real favourite of the locals.  Here you’ll have time for a swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.

After lunch make your way back to the resort with your guide.

Dinner tonight is at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walking Distance: 12.2km

DAY 3 
Pile Valley to Lake Birrabeen

Buffet breakfast at your hotel.

This morning you will be transferred to Pile Valley.  It is here you will get the opportunity to check out the giant Satinay trees and imagine their timbers lining the Suez Canal.  From Pile Valley you will walk to Central Station.  There are no trains or whistles here - just peaceful, ancient rainforest and the reminders of a former, once bustling logging camp. 

It’s then onto Lake Birrabeen. Birrabeen will allure you with its sparkling clear waters and dazzling white beaches...... you won't be able to resist a dip.  Enjoy lunch by the lake before transferring back to the resort.

This afternoon is yours to enjoy the Island at leisure.

Dinner tonight is at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walking Distance: 9.2km
Walking time: 4.5 hours

DAY 4 
Champagne Pools, 75 Mile Beach & transfer to Kingfisher Bay Resort
note: this itinerary is tide dependant and may change based on the tide

After breakfast, we depart Eurong Beach Resort for a highlight 4WD tour. Before you head out for the day, make sure you have your bags packed as they are transferred to Kingfisher Bay Resort, where you stay for the next two nights.

On your 4WD adventure today, you will visit sites on the island including Red Canyon, The Pinnacles and Maheno Shipwreck, and then to The Champagne Pools.  With all the colours of the rainbow (well just the reds, oranges, ochres and creams really) see the vibrant sand cliffs which are a favourite photo stop.  See the Maheno Shipwreck, washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935. This rusting wreck is one of Fraser Island's iconic photo stops. 

You will arrive at the Champagne Pools mid morning, where you can enjoy the scenery of these bubbling ocean rock pools.  Then start your walk for Waddy Point.  Once you arrive here you will enjoy some lunch and take in the beautiful views.

On the return leg, there will be a stop at Indian Head, here you can climb to the top of this rocky headland for awesome island and ocean views.  The final stop today will be Eli Creek, a great spot for a refreshing dip. Float down this fast-flowing freshwater creek - which pours out 80 megalitres of water daily - to the seaside.

From the Champagne Pools there’s a longer drive to your next resort, Kingfisher Bay Resort to arrive at the end of the day  when the group checks into Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Dinner tonight is at the resort restaurant, Maheno.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walking Distance: 5.4km
Walking time: 3 hours

DAY 5 
Lake McKenzie

Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel.

This morning we commence our walk via McKenzie’s Jetty and Z Force Fraser Commando School. The school once functioned as an important part of Australia's Special Operations programme during World War II.  There will be some time to look around as the ranger guides you through some of the history of the school.

At around 1pm, we reach beautiful Lake McKenzie.  With its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, picture perfect Lake McKenzie is even prettier than the postcards.  Enjoy a picnic lunch here and there is ample time for a swim.

The group will be transferred back to the resort at around 2.30pm.

This afternoon enjoy a Sundowner at the Sunset Bar. Dinner tonight will be a two course dinner at Seabelle Restaurant, the resort’s signature fine dining restaurant. The chef draws inspiration from Fraser Island’s indigenous Butchulla tribe - crafting his menus to blend seasonal, local produce, fresh seafood, Australian bush tucker and island living.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walking Distance: 12.7km
Walking time: 4.5 hours

DAY 6 
Depart Fraser Island

Enjoy buffet breakfast at your hotel.

Today, check out of the resort, ready for your transfer to the ferry terminal for the ferry crossing to River Heads. 

The ferry departs at 10.30am and arrives into River Heads at 11.15am.  If you would like to catch an earlier or later ferry, these options are available. 

Meals: Breakfast

CLICK HERE for more information on ferry times.

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ACCOMMODATION

HOTELS

Destination

Hotel

Star Rating

Eurong Beach

Eurong Beach Resort

3 star

Kingfisher Bay Resort

Kingfisher Bay Resort

4 star

Hotels are subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. Should this occur, a hotel of a similar standard will be provided.

Eurong Beach Resort

Kingfisher Bay Resort

HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS

EURONG BEACH RESORT
Right on the eastern beach of Fraser Island the resort is only accessible by four-wheel-drive.

Eurong Beach Resort is the hub for day tours, safaris and the perfect beach-front base for four-wheel-driving adventures, fishing holidays and exploring Fraser Island. Close by are the rainforests around Pile Valley and Central Station and beautiful, fresh-water lakes with white sandy beaches.

KINGFISHER BAY RESORT
Kingfisher Bay Resort was voted the Best Beach Resort in Australia by 'Discovery's Travel Channel' and has won six Australian Tourism and nine Queensland Tourism Awards. The stunning property, complete with mirror lakes and waterholes, blends seamlessly with the island's sensitive ecological systems.


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GETTING THERE

ARRIVE TO: Hervey Bay
DEPART FROM: Hervey Bay

River Heads is the mainland ferry terminal which is located 20 minutes south of Hervey Bay.  There are three return ferry services which depart daily and arrive on the Western side of Fraser Island.  From Hervey Bay airport, it is 11.4km’s and takes around 15 minutes by taxi or limousine services.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
Flight to arrive in Hervey Bay before 2.00pm (the earlier the better in case of unexpected delays) as ferry departs at 3.30pm
Ferry from River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek.

On departure, we recommend you book a flight after 1.00pm.  We expect you to go arrive at the airport at approximately 12pm.

GROUP ARRIVALS

On arrival to Hervey Bay airport, please make your way to:

River Heads Mainland Reception
Shop 7/54 River Heads Village 
River Heads Road 
River Heads Queensland 4655

Guests are advised to arrive at the mainland reception 40 minutes prior to ferry departure for check in. A courtesy shuttle from the Mainland Reception to ferry will leave 10 minutes prior to ferry departure time.

ABOUT ARRIVAL
A group transfer has been arranged for the group arrival onto Fraser Island on the 4pm ferry.  Once on the island, your transfer will pick up our group from the ferry and take you to Eurong Beach Resort where you will spend the first 3 nights.  If you wish to travel on another ferry to the island, this can be arranged, however there will be a transfer fee for a pick up to take you to Eurong Beach Resort.  Speak to one of our friendly staff if you’d like a quote.

Please see below for ferry times:

FERRY TIMES

FERRY DEPARTURES FROM RIVER HEADS TO WANGGOOLBA CREEK:
from River Heads daily:

Depart 8:30am                 
Depart 10:15am              
Depart 4:00 pm            

The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

ABOUT DEPARTURE
Upon your departure,  walk from Kingfisher Bay Resort to the Ferry terminal (this is a short walk which will take no more than 5-10 minutes).  The ferry will depart at 10.30am on the 31 August.  If you wish to travel on another ferry to the island, this can be arranged.

FERRY DEPARTURES FROM KINGFISHER BAY RESORT TO RIVER HEADS:

from Kingfisher Bay Resort wharf:

Depart 7:50 am                
Depart 10:30am
Depart 2:00pm                 
Depart 5:00pm                 
Depart 8:30pm                 

The journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

DRIVING FROM BRISBANE
Travel north on the Bruce Highway to Maryborough then follow the signs to Hervey Bay. You will come to a well signposted right hand turn to River Heads. Follow this road and signs to River Heads. You will end up in the barge ramp car park the ticket office is on the right

DRIVING FROM HERVEY BAY
From Boat Harbour Drive, you will need to turn on to Elizabeth Street at the roundabout near the Urangan Woolworths and follow this road past airport. Please turn left on to River Heads Road (which is signed and may come up in electronic GPS navigation systems as Ariadne Road) and follow the road all the way to end to arrive at ferry loading area. The Ticket Hut will be located on your right hand side.

AIRPORT TRANSFER – HERVEY BAY
Transfers from Hervey Bay Airport cost around $23 per passenger.  Hervey Bay Limos will meet you in the Arrivals Hall and transfer you to the Mainland Reception for the next available ferry service. Kingfisher Bay Resort's shuttle bus will complete the return leg back to the airport.  

TAXI SERVICES – HERVEY BAY TAXIS
A taxi can drive you to the ferry terminal,  It takes approximately 15 minutes to get to River Heads mainland ferry terminal and will cost around $20.  Contact Hervey Bay Taxi’s on 131 008.

AIRPORT TRANSFER – BRISBANE
A coach shuttle transfer from Brisbane to the Mainland Reception for the next available ferry service will cost $109 each way per passenger.

For more information CLICK HERE

PRE / POST ACCOMMODATION
If you’d like a longer stay, staying an extra night/s at the end of the trip at Kingfisher Bay Resort is recommended.

If you have chosen to do a pre night on the island, we can arrange the ferry time accordingly.  However, there will be an additional transfer fee (approx. $130) to get you from the ferry to the resort.

If you have decided to add on additional nights at the end of the tour, we can arrange the ferry to fit in with your plans.  Speak to one of our consultants for more information.

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DETAILS

TRIP AVAILABILITY
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  As a small group tour, space is limited. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience.

FELLOW TRAVELLERS
This tour is exclusively for solo travellers.  The age range is 40 to 59 years. This is small group tour with a maximum group size of 16 travellers. The tour is led by a professional ranger guide.

It’s most likely to depart with a group of 8 to 14 passengers.

TOUR PACE [3 OUT OF 5]
This tour is set at a reasonable pace.  Although some walking days are longer than others, there is always time for a rest stop.  Fraser Island is a sand island, so a lot of the walking will be on sand.

Basically any fit and healthy person can participate. If you can walk upwards of 15 kilometres or more in a day, carrying a lightweight day pack you will find the walking activity totally achievable. The minimum requirements to participate are being able to carry a 5 kilogram backpack (that holds your lunch, water, camera, rain jacket plus a few other personal effects).

You also need to be aware that while we typically walk on well forged walking tracks, the quality and the degree of difficulty on these tracks varies a lot. You may find the tracks rocky and “lumpy” underfoot, soft and sandy or muddy and slippery. The prevailing weather can make a track that is typically dry and firm wet and muddy.

You will also, at times, find there is the need to be able to negotiate obstacles such as fallen trees, or sections of scree, or steep steps. None of these would be enough to preclude a healthy and able-bodied individual but they can challenge. So please come along with not only the right footwear and raingear and clothing, but also the right frame of mind.

MEALS
It’s regular that our trips included welcome dinners and farewell dinners for our groups. In addition, we include other group dining experiences to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefit of travelling and dining as a group.  There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.

Lunches
Lunches are picnic style and will usually consist of a baguette or wrap, juice, piece of fruit and bakery item.

Dinners
There’s a variety of dinners as restaurants at the two resorts are used. At Kingfisher Bay Resort a dinner at the fine dining restaurant, Seabelle is also included.

You are more than welcome to bring along your own snacks.  Both resorts have a village store with general food items, including fruit, chips, biscuits, break, spreads, chocolate and other items.

TRANSPORT
Transport on the island is by a private 4WD vehicle.

RANGER GUIDE
This is a private group tour with local guide. Your guide is there to assist with group arrangements and to act as the liaison for all tour services.

Your guide’s service commence from day 2 of the itinerary.

The role of your ranger guide is to lead the group during walks, take charge of all the trip logistics on tour, and of course, make sure the trip runs as smoothly as possible so ultimately you have the best possible experience. From time to time, as is the nature of travel, ‘hiccups’ can occur, such as unexpected delays to due to traffic congestion, unexpected weather conditions that make a change of plans necessary, and many other things that go hand in hand with travel. In these circumstances your group leader will do their utmost to make the best possible alternative plans – please be ready to accept that these situations are out of the control of anyone and trust in your group leader to assist as best as possible.

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MORE INFORMATION

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TRAVELLER REVIEWS

'The 3 main reasons I book my holidays with Encounter: 
- everything is organised for me 
- safety & company of a group 
- age appropriate'

 Rose, 50 years , Melbourne, VIC

'I am not a regular walker but maintain my fitness. Fraser Island walk is very achievable for novices like myself, with options to go further if your the hard core walker.  A beautiful island with scenery that is breathtaking.  At the end destination of some of our walks an amazing freshwater lake surrounded by white sand to cool off. I would highly recommend this tour. '

 Marisa, 56 years, Brisbane, QLD

'Serenity in the sandy bush of Fraser Island with cool fresh swimming lakes to cool off in after long walks. Awesome 4WD travel too!'

 Sarah 46 years, Melbourne, VIC
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