Fraser Island Questions

[OPPYLOCK]

Well unfortunately due to my work situation, I'm only able to take leave during the July school holidays and I'm thinking of doing a trip to Fraser.
Last time I was there was about 84 (I was 7) and from what I've been reading it has changed a hell of a lot. Rules, permits, bookings, more rules, fines, backpackers and some more rules for good measure.
Now I'm sure its still a beautiful place but I've been reading some horror stories and I'm starting to think twice about going. Stuck in a busy camp site with noisy backpakers and yobs isn't my idea of a holiday. I really don't like crowds. I'm thinking about the beach camping but no fires from what I understand, and I'll need amenities at some point.

So, my questions to those in the know:
Is it really that bad during school holidays? I'm planning 6-19th July.
Can you have a fire on the beach if you bring your own timber?
Are the campsites busy noisy etc? Are some better than others in that regard?
I'm told Tailor season can kick off early in late July and this attracts thousands of fishermen.
What is the condition of the beach at the moment?

I was also thinking of doing the Cooloola Great Sandy National Park on the way up. Same question apply for this I guess.

I'm just trying to work out whether its worth going now or putting it off until I get the chance to go at a quite time. Any advice is much appreciated.

P.S. I've searched and checked out www.epa.qld.gov.au/fraser but first hand info is always best.

P.S.S. The wife and I will be tenting inthe TJ..... cosy!

[Blujeep]

stay away from the big campsites, they are full of backpackers,

[starter]

a mate was up there 4 months ago and he said the beaches were in bad condition from the storms

[Fat Chili]

No open fires, even if you take your own fire wood. Better off camping up the top of the island (past Indian Head) as very few (in my experience) backpackers travel this far, they tend to have trouble driving it as their troopies are overloaded and they are instructed for insurance reasons not to deflate their tyres (dumb).
Plus the fishing is better up toward the tip

Link to camp grounds - https://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks/iap...6fa29efd7baf04

If your around the Gold Coast on a weekend and the weather is fine, give me a yell, can take you offshore for tailor, trag (teraglin) and snapper.

[bikemat]

i'll second that - top of the island is the way to go
The beach is very narrow in places at the moment, so you'll need to be travelling as close to low tide as possible

I'll third it. Was up at Double Island a few weeks ago and haven't seen that much coffee rock exposed for many years. Crap weather over xmas and since has shortened/steepened the beaches in a few places.

[sunburn]

Cooloola you can take your own wood and make small fires. We were doing it at Easter. Fairly certain you can't on Fraser though. I didn't have any trouble travelling on the beach although I guess it was a bit hairy at times if it was close to high tide. It wasn't that busy over Easter either. Definitely a few people there but not noisy or in your face at all.