another Fraser Island Question

[cmohr]

Yep, The GF and I are heading over to Fraser in a couple of weeks for about a week. Will be staying at the Cathedral Beach Camping Ground for most of the time and hoping for two nights at Kingfisher at the end before we set off home.

Question is, is it best to cross over at Rainbow and drive all the way up the island or go up to Hervey Bay and then cross the island from there..Any thoughts??? Its also been many years since I've been there whats Eli creek like to cross these days and is there any High Tide option for getting past it???

Thanks

cmohr

[Antz]

Cost is one of the differences. Barge from Harvey Bay/River Heads is more expensive ($160 odd?) than the barge from Rainbow ($80?) Prices are guesses.

[xjrob]

Go via Rainbow, and enjoy the drive, low tide is so easy it is only 2WD once off the soft sand at the barge, high tide is a lot more soft sand driving.

Spent a week up there between xmas and new year last 2 years and eli creek no problems (just use common sense - something not found in many of the hi-lux drivers)

Enjoy, i am envious it is a great place, make sure you visit Lake Mackenzie

[kyro]

plus it's a nicer drive along the beach then up the highway...

we go up the beach from noosa bit longer but heaps nicer

[KentM]

If you go over at Rainbow, don't be tempted to take the beach straight away (if its still open), take the inland road.

Eli should be fine, try and get there at low tide, or as close to as possible...

[xjrob]

Originally Posted by kentm75

If you go over at Rainbow, don't be tempted to take the beach straight away (if its still open), take the inland road.

Eli should be fine, try and get there at low tide, or as close to as possible...

Why? - that part of the beach is reportedly going to be closed for 4wd, so if you can use it before it gets closed use it. It is a nice part of the drive around the end, no matter how many times you go, it is like well I'm here, going inland straight away does not excite me, i have heard it is very rutted whereas the beach is smooth and no problems, i tow a 700kg camper with my XJ and have been around the end at both high and low tides, high tide was just a little longer in 4wd and soft sand.

I agree with Kyro, we quite often go up from Noosa, and if we don't, we always go back via Noosa, air up at Tewantin an have fish and chips at Noosaville before going back to Brisbane just makes the trip perfect.

[Bomber]

That section of the beach is still officially open - because of the bad state of the inland route!!

New Speed Limits For Fraser Island Beaches
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
28/09/2007


PRACTICAL RESPONSE TO HOOK POINT TRAFFIC
Lower speed limits for vehicles along two beach areas of southern Fraser Island are to be trialled.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, and Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara, said the lower limits would be implemented as soon as practicable.

He said the 40 kph limits would apply to two sections of beach; one around the bird roosting area at Hook Point and the second around the camping areas of Midyum and Dulara.

"Following the extremely heavy rains a few weeks ago substantial flood damage occurred to the Hook Point inland road," Mr McNamara said.

"The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has temporarily repaired the road, and will seek Natural Disaster Relief funds to fully repair it over the coming year.

"They have advised me that closure of the beach is not feasible at this stage, and have asked me to agree to the beach remaining open until such time as the road repairs can be permanently completed.

"While I have agreed with thi, I have asked them to implement measures to provide for improved visitor safety and also minimise the impact on the natural values at the North Spit and Hook Point area, in particular the migratory bird roosting areas."

The 40 kph speed limit will be trialled in two areas:
• for approximately 6km north from Semaphore Creek, including North Spit and new Garalin Camping Area, to help protect birds and campers; and
• for approximately 3km from just before the new Midyum Camping Area until just after Dulara Camping Area, to help protect campers.

Mr McNamara said additional measures will be investigated to ensure vehicles remain on the hard beach at the North Spit area, and not short cut across the Spit which is the main bird roosting area.

"These measures are a sensible mechanism to protect these areas, and I've directed they be implemented as soon as practicable," Mr McNamara said.

"Obviously, the necessary signage and regulatory tools will take a little tim to install, but I'm confident these measures will provide enhanced protection at these areas once complete.

"The long term goal in the Great Sandy Management Plan is still to close this section of beach, but that cannot occur until there is a safe and reliable road to service Island residents and visitors."
End of statement - original here http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/St....aspx?id=54239

While they are blaming the floods n stuff, the real reason is trhe cost - 2mil to fix, 1.5mil a year to maintain for just 200 cars a day, whereas peak is up to 600.

A win for a change where the dollars spoke louder than the greenies.