Start at Rainbow Beach

Drive 15 minutes to Inskip Point (the barge departure point).

There is no timetable for the barge - it runs continuously from dawn to dust.

Allow 30 minutes to get on the ferry. Once on the ferry, the journey is only 15 minutes to reach K’gari.

It is then a 2–3 hrs drive to Orchid Beach (about 100 km)

👉 Important:

When you arrive at Inskip Point it is essential to deflate your tyres BEFORE driving on the sand to get to the barge.

Permits & Preparation

Before leaving Rainbow Beach, you must:

Purchase a Vehicle Access Permit from QPWS (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service).

Ensure you have a 4WD with high clearance – essential for island driving.

Top up fuel, and carry a map of the island and tyre pressure gauge.

Travel Tips

Travel only in daylight.

Aim to drive as close to low tide as possible, and always within 3 hours of low tide.

Check tide times on K’gari (Waddy Point) before doing anything.

Alternative Route to Rainbow Beach (Not Recommended)

It is possible to drive from Noosa to Rainbow Beach along North Shore beach at dead low tide.

This route is highly dependent on beach conditions and tide height, and can be dangerous.

Start at River Heads Wharf

Barges depart from River Heads to either Wangoolba Creek or Kingfisher Bay.

Bookings are essential – departures are limited and need to be coordinated with tides.

Route Options

Route 1: River Heads → Wangoolba Creek

Easiest access to the east side of the island.

After arriving at Wangoolba drive across the island (avg. 40 km/h) then north along the eastern beach (avg. 70 km/h).

Total travel time: 2.5–3 hrs from ferry to Orchid Beach.

Route 2: River Heads → Kingfisher Bay

Road to eastern Beach is high-traffic, bumpy, and slow but it is scenic - you'll see extraordinary rainforest and lakes (Avg. speed 15 km/h).

Total travel time: 3–3.5 hrs from ferry to Orchid Beach.

👉 Recommendation: Choose Wangoolba Creek Route if possible – it’s faster and easier.

Permits & Preparation

Before leaving Hervey Bay, you must:

Purchase a Vehicle Access Permit from QPWS (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service).

Ensure you have a 4WD with high clearance – essential for island driving.

Top up fuel, and carry a map of the island and tyre pressure gauge.

Travel Tips

Travel only in daylight.

Aim to drive as close to low tide as possible, and always within 3 hours of low tide.

Check tide times on K’gari (Waddy Point) before doing anything.

Flying In?

If flying into Hervey Bay, you may need an overnight stay depending on ferry times & tides.

A better option is to fly to Sunshine Coast Airport and travel via Rainbow Beach – quicker and easier than the Hervey Bay/River Heads route.

For driving on K’gari it is essential to have 4WD with high clearance.
4WD hire companies may have conditional insurance north of Indian Head. Orchid Beach is 10km further north.

From Noosa – Noosa2Fraser4WD.
If travelling via Hervey Bay it may be necessary to spend the night to connect with barge and tide times.

This section provides essential safety tips for driving on K’gari, including tide timing, tyre pressure management, and awareness of beach hazards like false beaches and creeks. It also covers local road rules, parking advice, and precautions when encountering other vehicles and pedestrians to ensure a safe and responsible journey.