INCLUSIONS

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

• 4 nights at Kingfisher Bay Resort, Kgari
• 4 breakfasts
• 1 morning tea
• 1 lunch
• 2 drinks ~
• 4 group dinners 

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES

• Morning scenic cruise
• Illumina Return to Sky light show
• Full day 4WD guided island tour (shared)
• Guided bush tucker talk & taste experience 

TRAVEL

• Return ferry transfer, Riverheads (mainland) to Kingfisher Bay Resort, Kgari 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Porterage in and out of hotel, 1 piece

~ includes standard house wine, beer or softdrink

Exclusions: 

• Airfares to/from Hervey Bay 
• Airport transfers to ferry departure point
• Group host (unescorted group)
• Travel insurance
• Tips
• Excess baggage
• Visa fees if applicable
• Meals and beverages not specified on itinerary
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry & medical expenses
• Incidental expenses such as taxi fares, telecommunications

Itinerary

ACCOMMODATION

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

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.

Standard and Wallum resort hotel rooms are located in the A Wing and access is via a ramp, (no stairs). Showers are over the bath with a step into bath about 40cm high.

Resort Room

King Resort Room

Resort Room, balcony

King Resort Room, balcony

Resort Room

King Resort Room

GETTING THERE

Starts: River Heads, Queensland  (Kingfisher Bay Reception)
Ends: River Heads, Queensland (Kingfisher Bay Reception)

Hotel Check In/Out Times
Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure and also the ferry transfer times. If you arrive prior to the check in time, the hotel will store your luggage until the check in time and can also store your luggage until you are ready to depart for your onward journey.  

Hotel check in: from 2PM
Hotel check out: 10AM

WHAT FLIGHTS TO BOOK

Arrival flight: book a flight that has you arriving by 2PM to Hervey Bay Airport at the latest.
Departure flight: book a flight that departs 10AM or after.

Following the above is important to ensure connections with the ferry service from/to the mainland to the island.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS TO/FROM RIVER HEADS

The closest airport is Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast Airport), Queensland. Airport transfers to/from the airport and the ferry departure point are not included.  The distance between the airport and the Kingfisher Bay Mainland Reception is about 15 minutes

A return transfer Hervey Bay Airport to River Heads ferry wharf can be booked in advance (service fee applies). Bookings must be made with us and your flight itinerary must be sent in advance of 45 days before departure.

Airport Transfer Bookings:  arrange with your package. Cost applies: $15 each way
(subject to change without notice)

View others details on Kingfisher Bay Resort website Air Transfers 

FERRY TRANSFERS TO/FROM THE ISLAND

The ferry transfer is about 50 minutes from mainland to the island and this is included with your package.

View full details on Kingfisher Bay Resort website How To Get There

Please check ferry times carefully before booking airfares and allow enough travelling time to meet your onward connection.

Please note: This transfer service is unable to meet any flights departing Hervey Bay prior to 10.30AM or flights arriving to Hervey Bay after 3PM. This service is unable to be delayed. If flights are late, the next pickup time will apply, or guests may make their own way to River Heads Mainland Reception via Taxi at their own cost. Passengers who miss the allocated pick-up window will need to make alternative travel arrangements at their own expense.

Ferry transfers from Riverheads (mainland departure point) are included on arrival and departure given that;

• you arrive on day 1 of the itinerary and depart on the final day of the tour
  OR
• you have extended your stay and you have booked the pre or post stay with us as part of your package. 

Once you have disembarked your flight and after collecting your luggage you must go directly to the road transfer departure point at the airport.

The distance between the airport and the Kingfisher Bay Mainland Reception is about 15 minutes Your luggage is checked in for the ferry. Like an aircraft, you can take carry on hand luggage with you on the ferry.  Your checked luggage will be delivered to your room. If you are making your own flight arrangements, in any case, we require your flight itinerary no later than 45 days priors to travel, even if you are not making airport transfer arrangements with us.

SECURE PARKING @ RIVER HEADS

Secure car park facilities are adjacent to the River Heads Mainland Reception and are open from 08:00 – 18:30. Upon check-in at Mainland Reception, guests will be issued with a secure pin number to gain access to the parking facilities.  Car parking is available in the secure lot at Kingfisher Bay Mainland Reception, for those not taking a vehicle across to Fraser Island. 4 nights: $105  |  5 nights: $130  |  $25 extra nights.

PLEASE NOTE: There is limited availability, so booking in advance is recommended.   

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

From Hervey Bay
From Boat Harbour Drive, 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.

DETAILS

Read on for other key trip information that you should know before you decide on joining the group.

TRIP AVAILABILITY
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience.

FELLOW TRAVELLERS
This holiday is part of our Freedom Escapes lineup, designed exclusively for solo travellers.

Our Freedom Escapes are designed for the independent-style traveller who wants a relaxing holiday with the ease of knowing some activities and dinners are organised with the others in the group. They’re perfect if you're content with arriving solo at a resort, with the benefit of shared dining and included experiences, while still enjoying plenty of time to relax at your own pace.

The difference with a Freedom Escape is that the trip is unhosted. There is no full-time tour host with the group. Instead, you’ll follow a light, easy-to-manage schedule that includes prearranged resort activities and excursions, along with set dining times for the group. An itinerary will be provided with your travel documents, so you’ll know exactly when and where to meet up.

Because everyone is based at the same resort, it feels natural to come together for meals and included activities, without the structure of a full touring program. It’s an easy way to enjoy the benefits of a group trip while still keeping the flexibility of a resort holiday.

With our resort groups, the approach is simple: the more the merrier.

ABOUT THE MEALS
Sharing meals together is a big part of our trips, and this island escape is no exception. Each evening you will dine with the group, showcasing the best of K’gari’s resort restaurants.

From relaxed dining at the Sand Bar, to modern island flavours at Sand & Wood, and the Asian-fusion menu at Dune, you will experience a variety of settings and styles across your stay. A sunset drink at the Sunset Bar also adds to the island dining highlights.

We include all group dinners, along with daily buffet breakfasts and a lunch during the 4WD tour. There is nothing better than sharing a meal with new friends and swapping stories from the day’s adventures.

Are you a flexitarian?
If you have dietary requirements, please advise if it is due to allergies or for medical reasons or if it is a personal preference and if you are flexible. Dietary requirements will limit choices. If a dietary requirement is not essential due to medical reasons and you are a flexitarian, then we recommend that you exclude your personal preferences if not necessary to provide more options with the meal choices.

TRANSPORT
Transport on the island for including day touring is by a private 4WD vehicle.
To connect from the mainland to Fraser Island vehicle barges and passenger ferry services run daily from River Heads, south of Hervey Bay to Fraser Island.

MORE INFORMATION

• Disclaimer >
• Ferry Transfer Info >

TRAVELLER REVIEWS

'I would highly recommend a holiday with Encounter Travel. My trip was well organised and the co-ordinator was fun and helpful and full of energy. I met some great people of all walks of life. There is a good mix of organised activities and free time. I had a blast.'

Linda, Victoria

'Thank you for your organisation of a great holiday. As a first time traveller with Encounter, I didn't know what to expect. The Red Centre is indescribably beautiful and should be on every Australians' bucket list. We saw every sensational attraction in just the right order - each new experience was more incredible than the last. Thank you for recruiting such a great group of people for my travelling companions. The hotels were clean and very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be transported across such an amazing landscape so comfortably. I learnt so much about our wonderful country and wished I had done such a trip years earlier.'

Sarah, 52 years, Sydney, Australia

'Did a Red Centre solo 7 day tour absolutely fantastic, Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon, Palm Valley you have to see it and experience it. The coach drivers were professional, excellent knowledge and with a great sense of humor.'

David, Eschol Park, Sydne, New South Wales

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