Pile Valley circuit
Wander through magnificent stands of K'gari Satinay in lush rainforest, and discover the extraordinary tale of their survival and regeneration.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 4km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
- Time suggested
- Allow 2hrs walking time.
- Grade
- Grade 4 walking track
Accessible by
- High clearance 4WD
Journey facilities
- Walking
From the Central Station day-use area take the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk for about 100m to the turn-off to Pile Valley.
Soon you’ll be dwarfed by a forest dominated by beautiful stands of K'gari Satinay nestled in lush rainforest. Gaze up into the canopy and fully appreciate the majesty of these giants, which have watched over this landscape for centuries. During the late 1800s and early 1900s their borer-resistant timber was popular for wharves and jetties. The significance of the Pile Valley was recognised when it was declared a beauty spot in 1937.
Return through sun-dappled rainforest and hoop pine plantation to the day-use area.
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
The Pile Valley circuit is on K'gari, 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane.
- The circuit starts on the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk and follows the K'gari Great Walk to Pile Valley.
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.
Wheelchair access
There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Drinking water
- Bring your own drinking water, or fill up your containers at the Central Station day-use area. The water is treated.
- Use water wisely and report damaged or leaking taps and tanks.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Pile Valley circuit is open 24 hours a day.
Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Visiting safely
For more safety information see Visiting K'gari safely and Walk with care.
- Central Station visitor facility upgrades planned from April to July 2024 4 March to 31 July 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 - Figtree Creek 14 April to 31 May 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 (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
- Beware crocodiles
- Be dingo-safe
- Beware marine stingers (jellyfish)
Conditions report
K'gari conditions report Updated 9 Apr 2024
Critical information for your safety is included in the conditions report—always check it before you visit.