• Choose a beautiful camp site nestled in cypress pine woodland. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
• Wathumba Creek weaves its way to Platypus Bay. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government

This spot is particularly favoured by anglers—freshwater from the creek meets the salty ocean which is a great environment for fish. Try you luck at reeling in your dinner.

Launch small boats and kayaks from the beach and explore the Great Sandy Marine Park. Behind the mangroves is a tiny sand beach and another spot to fish or launch a kayak.

The camping area is alive with birdlife. Search the sky for whistling and brahminy kites and in the forests for honeyeaters, wood swallows, doves and finches. During winter you might be lucky enough to spot migrating humpback whales off the beach.

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.

This camping area has a wongari (dingo) deterrent fence and is recommended for families with children 14 years and under wanting a coastal camping experience.

Getting there and getting around

Wathumba camping area is on K'gari, 15km off the coast of Hervey Bay and about 300km north of Brisbane.

• The camping area is on the western beach at Platypus Bay.
• From the Eastern Beach scenic drive, take the Middle Rocks Bypass Road and drive 4.7km to Orchid Beach (past the Waddy Point Road turn-off).
• Drive to the northern end of Orchid Beach, past the general store, and after 1.3km turn left onto Wathumba Road.
• Follow Wathumba Road for 15km to the camping area.
• The Eastern Beach scenic drive is only accessible 2hrs either side of low tide.

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

Wathumba 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.

Map: Fraser Island Recreation Area map (PDF, 570.5KB)

Camping area features: camping area is set behind the foredunes, near mangroves—expect mosquitoes and sandflies all year round, but especially in warmer, wetter months.

Location: western side of K'gari near the mouth of Wathumba Creek.

Access: high clearance 4WD, boats (high tide access upstream of mouth of Wathumba Creek), off-road camper trailers.

Number of sites: 8 sites in grassed open area, maximum of 60 people at any one time within this area, three designated trailer sites. Please note: You must specifically book your camper trailer into a camper trailer site. Tent sites are not separately defined, so please consider others and keep your camp compact.

Camp site surface: sand

Facilities: toilet block, picnic tables and nearby day-use area

Open fires: prohibited

Generators: not permitted

Essentials to bring: fuel or gas stove, first-aid kit, prescription medicines (if needed), water containers, rubbish bags, insect repellent, sand pegs, tarpaulins, extra poles, ropes and lockable food storage containers. Smokers should bring small sealable canisters for cigarette butts. Also see: Before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings (up to 6 months) required for holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: intermittent.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting K'gari safely and camp with care.