Next stop is the historic Maheno Wreck, which was the victim of a cyclone before coming to rest on the shores of Fraser Island. It was once used as a hospital ship during World War I. The ship has deteriorated over the years, so it’s still unreal to look at but is now unsafe to board.

Plan your second day of adventuring to take you to the wonderful Lake McKenzie and Kingfisher Bay Resort. Our journey to Lake McKenzie began along the Central Lakes Scenic Drive, which is a 30km loop inland track. Lake McKenzie is by far the best-known freshwater lake of Fraser Island. It’s a very popular spot for tourists to visit and an amazing place for the whole family to enjoy some pure white sand and sparkling blue water. As a precaution for dingo encounters, you are not permitted to take any food or drinks down to the lake. There are designated fenced off areas to have a picnic. Other lakes to explore are Birrabeen, Boomanjin, and the very picturesque Lake Wabby.

FRASER TIP!

Recovery boards like Maxtrax come into their own on the sand and are particularly handy if you need to get yourself out of soft sand. Having a set in the back of your 4WD is a smart idea for cheap insurance.

Day three of your adventure should include a trip up north towards Indian Head and Waddy Point. Indian Head is a protected little part of the beach, which is the ideal place to pull up for a few hours, throw a line in and let the kids play and swim in the crystal blue ocean. If you’re lucky enough to visit at the right time of year you may see hump back whales, marine turtles, sharks and stingrays swimming in the Pacific Ocean. A little further north we stopped in at Waddy Point, which is another quality swimming and fishing spot to enjoy.

The further north you head the more remote and quieter it is, so north of Waddy Point the beaches feel like your own oasis. The track heading north is pretty tricky, with deep holes and boggy sand for the majority of the drive. Decent 4WD modifications will make it a whole lot easier, and recovery gear is essential. Some areas are also severely eroded, so be sure to check with National Parks for track and beach closures.

“THE TESTING TRACKS AND PRISTINE BEACHES MAKE FRASER ISLAND THE ULTIMATE 4WD GETAWAY”

Begin day four of your Fraser tour by travelling on the Northern Forest Scenic Drive to the Knifeblade Sandblow. This is only one of the 43 active sandblows on Fraser Island. Do yourself a favour and take the short 260m return walk to the lookout for a spectacular view.

Continuing on we arrived at Lake Allom. The lake is full of turtles, so take the kids to the viewing platform and check them out. These critters certainly aren’t shy and love poking their heads out for a stickybeak.

Driving further on, head towards Moon Point on the western side of Fraser. The track narrows along the way and you’ll soon be experiencing some bush pin striping. We encountered many waterholes along the track, all of which were conquered by the HiLux. Be sure to check water depth before crossing. With a lot of rain, you may end up a bit wet and in a fair bit of trouble.

It’s like finding your own piece of paradise when you arrive at Moon Point and see the crystal waters and white sand. With not a sole in sight, this is definitely an unforgettable moment and an absolute must-see Fraser Island destination. We grabbed the opportunity to throw in a line and it wasn’t long till we were eating fresh fish for lunch. Whiting, bream and dart are main catches with good runs of tailor and salmon a welcome addition.

Moon Point is a semi-remote area on Fraser, and can be very dangerous with soft boggy sand. There are no facilities nearby so you will need to be self-sufficient at all times. The drive from Moon Point north to Wuthumba Creek is also quite dangerous, but it’s very quiet and is a great place to get away from the crowds.

FRASER TIP!

Fuel is very expensive on the Island, so top up before you head over, and carry a Jerry can or two of extra fuel

The testing tracks and pristine beaches make Fraser Island the ultimate family 4WD getaway. It’s definitely worth getting here, no matter where you’re coming from. While Fraser is as epic and iconic as you think, there’s no reason why you can’t tackle it in a 4WD with minimal modifications. What’s more important is having the right attitude, and the ability to get yourself out if you get bogged.

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SOPHIE AND MICK FRANKLIN