Coongul Creek camping area
With superb views and brilliant fishing and boating, you are sure to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this secluded camping area.
Accessible by
- High clearance 4WD
Camping area facilities
- Tent camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Tent camping beside car
- Short walk to tent
- Walking
- Scenic drive
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Photo credit: Jenna Tapply © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
Always check
- Park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
- Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts.
- Current bushfire warnings and incidents and also fire bans and restrictions.
- Your camping permit is booked.
- Any park-specific camping information for
K'gari.
- Visiting K'gari safely for important safety information.
Set up camp in this quiet retreat, among low foredunes cloaked with Moreton Bay Ash, black wattle, coastal she oaks and pandanus. Coongul Creek winds lazily past the camping area before crossing the beach and entering the Great Sandy Marine Park.
Sit back in your camp chair and take in the spectacular ocean views or head to the creek mouth and see if you can reel in a big one for dinner.
Driving is restricted by the tides so grab the family and set up a game of cricket on the beach or slip your boat or kayak onto the water and explore the sheltered coastline of Platypus Bay.
This park is part of the K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of coastal dune landform development and evolutionary history.
Getting there and getting around
Coongul Creek beach camping area is on K'gari, 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane.
- The camping area is 8.3km south of Woralie Road on the western beach, 8km north of the Moon Point estuary in Platypus Bay.
- It is accessible by boat via the Great Sandy Marine Park, and by 4WD along the beach at low tide. You will need to drive across Woralie Creek.
- The GPS location is Zone 56J, easting—504736 and northing—7216227.
- The map location is latitude S25˚10'12" and longitude E153˚02'49".
- The Western Beach is not suitable for trailers except for designated camper trailer sites in Woralie Creek beach camping area.
Getting to K'gari
You can get to the island by high clearance 4WD, on foot, by plane or with a commercial tour.
- Check the K'gari conditions report for the latest information on access, closures and conditions within the recreation area.
- Subscribe to the RSS feed to receive automated updates. (About RSS feeds).
By 4WD
- Your high clearance 4WD must have low range functions.
- Remember all vehicles must be registered, drivers must be licensed and all Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches.
- Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.
- A vehicle access permit must be purchased. Display the permit on your windscreen before driving in the recreation area.
From Inskip Point (15mins from Rainbow Beach)
- At the end of the bitumen on Inskip Point Road, reduce tyre pressure, engage 4WD and drive 500m onto the beach.
- Drive onto the Manta Ray barge for the 10–15min trip to Hook Point on the southern tip of K'gari, and the start of the Eastern Beach scenic drive.
- Bookings for this barge are not required.
From River Heads (east of Maryborough)
- Travel 10.6km along River Heads Road to the Barges landing area.
- The trip to Wanggoolba Creek on the western side of K'gari takes 30–45min.
- The trip to Kingfisher Bay on the western side of K'gari takes 50mins–1hr.
- These barges run at fixed times and bookings are essential.
On foot
- Walkers can board a vehicle barge to the island (details above) or arrive by plane.
By plane
- Flights leave from Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
By private vessel
- Access K'gari's sheltered western coastline by private vessel. The eastern coastline of the island is extremely hazardous and exposed to very rough ocean conditions.
- Launch your boat at one of the many boat ramps on the mainland between Tin Can Bay and Burnett Heads. There are no boat ramps on K'gari.
- See Maritime Safety Queensland's Beacon to Beacon Guides for the Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay for detailed navigational maps.
- The waters adjacent to K'gari are in the Great Sandy Marine Park.
- If you're heading out on the water make sure you know your zones so you can follow the rules.
- Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.
Commercial tours
- You can join a range of tours that leave from a variety of centres.
- For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Coongul Creek camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.
Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Upcoming camping area availability
Visiting safely
For more safety information see Visiting K'gari safely and camp with care.
- Central Station visitor facility upgrades planned from April to June 2024 4 March to 21 June 2024
- Park Alert-Tukkee Wurroo (Indian Head) walking track temporary closure 14 June 2021 to 30 June 2024
- Woralie Road Dump Ezy Temporary Closure 13 July 2023 to 13 July 2024
- Prescribed Burn - Duck Creek 19 March to 31 May 2024
- Prescribed burn - Exploration Break East 1 March to 31 August 2024
- Planned burn - Binngih Sandblow to Orchid Beach 1 March to 31 August 2024
- Dingo Awareness - Eurong township and fenced area 28 February to 31 March 2024
- Dingo (Wongari) Seasonal Information - Mating Season 1 March to 31 May 2024
- Marine Stingers Warning 1 November 2023 to 31 May 2024
- Park Alert - K'gari Planned Burn Season 2024 12 February to 31 August 2024
- Threatening dingo activity - Eli Creek, Waddy Point and Wathumba 8 December 2023 to 30 April 2024
- Poison canisters washing up on Southeast Queensland beaches 4 September 2023 to 31 March 2024
- Beware crocodiles
- Be dingo-safe
- Beware marine stingers (jellyfish)
Conditions report
K'gari conditions report Updated 28 Mar 2024
Critical information for your safety is included in the conditions report—always check it before you visit.