K’gari (Fraser Island), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a bucket-list destination for travelers exploring Australia’s East Coast. Known for its stunning freshwater lakes, ancient rainforests, and miles of golden beaches, it’s the perfect place for an unforgettable adventure. Imagine being on the worlds largest natural sand island surrounded by the ocean with an enoumous freshwater lake in the middle. The insta worthy Meheno Shipwreck, Native wild dingos and sitting around campfires make this trip one of the best on the east coast. But when it comes to experiencing this paradise on a tagalong tour, one big question comes up — where should you start?
There are 3 main different starting points for Kgari Tours Hervey Bay, Noosa, and Rainbow Beach. Each location has a number of companies running tours from 1 day Guided to 3 day TagALong Tours. This blog will help explain what each tour and location will offer for their 2 or 3 day Tagalong Tours.
What is a Tagalong Tour?
A tagalong tour is a 4WD adventure where backpackers are permitted to drive a 4WD on Kgari (Fraser Island). Adventure Vibes: You get to drive your own 4WD along the beaches and sand tracks of Fraser Island, following a lead vehicle driven by a guide. Most companies will camp on Kgari (providing all camping equipment and food – which is cooked by you guys on tour). The itineries set will aim to showcase the main attractions as well as giving you time to relax and enjoy all Kgari has to offer.
You have to be at least 21 years of age and fully licensed to be able to drive the vehicles and must have your license on you. The driving is shared by all qualified drivers. Even if you’re not driving, you are still experiencing the thrill of 4WDing on sand.
No experience? No worries – you will be given a safety briefing first. Some companies do online checkin and briefs, whilst other do this the day prior at your accommodation.
✔️ Expert navigation through challenging terrain
✔️ Structured itinerary hitting all major highlights
✔️ Freedom to enjoy the ride with new friends
Who are These Tours For?
Let’s be honest — tagalong tours to Fraser Island are hugely popular with younger travelers, especially backpackers aged 18-35. These tours are full of energy, with beach driving, swimming in crystal-clear lakes, sandboarding, and nights spent under the stars at beachside campsites. If you love a social, active, and slightly wild adventure, this is for you.
Insurance options when driving
Insurance options for driving on the tagalongs will vary for each tour operator. So always check with them when you check in for your tour.
You dont have to be a driver you can just simply be a passenger kick back and enjoy the tour as well.
Departure Points: Hervey Bay vs. Noosa vs. Rainbow Beach
1. Noosa (Scenic Coastal Option)
Best for:
✅ Trendy beach town with great dining
✅ Perfect for Sunshine Coast exploration
✅ Home of the Noosa Everglades
❌ Longest transfer time (2hrs+ to island)
Tag A Tour Options from Noosa:
K’gari Safari 3 Day tour
- Begins in Noosa, pickup avaliable in Rainbow Beach
- 4-person tents (shared accommodation)
- Bedding included (no need to bring your own)
- Free hot showers available
- Flushing toilets on-site
- All meals included (dietary requirements catered for)
- BYO alcohol welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Champagne Pools & Maheno Shipwreck
- 4WD adventures along sandy tracks & beaches
- Rainforest walking trails
- Wildlife spotting opportunities
- Hassle-free camping experience (all gear provided)
- Perfect mix of adventure and relaxation
- Departs from Noosa
- World Heritage-listed island exploration
Swag Adventures 3 Day Tour
- Begins in Noosa, pickup avaliable in Rainbow Beach
- 1-person swag camping (authentic outback experience)
- Bedding included ($20 refundable deposit required)
- Outdoor cold rinsing shower available
- Basic toilet facilities provided
- All meals included (campfire cooking)
- BYO drinks welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Champagne Pools & Maheno Shipwreck
- Thrilling 4WD adventures along 75 Mile Beach
- Rainforest walks among ancient satinay trees
- Wildlife spotting opportunities (dingoes, birds, marine life)
- All camping equipment provided
- Expert local guides
- Authentic Australian bush experience
- Perfect for adventure seekers
- Explore World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Sleep under the stars
- No hidden fees
Island expeditions 3 Day Tour
- Begins in Noosa, pickup avaliable in Rainbow Beach
- 2-person shared tents (comfortable camping)
- Bedding included ($20 refundable deposit)
- Outdoor cold rinsing shower available
- Basic toilet facilities provided
- All meals included (no hidden costs)
- BYO drinks welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck & Champagne Pools
- 4WD adventures along 75 Mile Beach
- Scenic rainforest walks
- Wildlife spotting opportunities
- All camping equipment provided
- Hassle-free experience
- Perfect mix of adventure & relaxation
- Social group atmosphere
- Departs from Noosa
- Explore World Heritage-listed K’gari
- No extra fees onboard
Drop Bear K’gari Adventures 3 Day Tour
- Begins in Noosa, pickup avaliable in Rainbow Beach
- Dorm-style shared accommodation
- Bedding included
- Free hot showers available
- Toilet facilities provided
- All meals included
- Self-drive 4WD adventure (bring your own or rent)
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck & Champagne Pools
- Explore Eli Creek
- Drive along 75 Mile Beach
- Rainforest walks included
- Wild dingo spotting opportunities
- Campsite bookings arranged
- Expert itinerary provided
- Safety briefings included
- Freedom to explore at your pace
- Local knowledge and support
- Perfect for confident drivers
- Authentic Fraser Island experience
- World Heritage-listed locations
- Small group experience
- BYO alcohol permitted
- All camping facilities provided
- No hidden costs
- 3-day adventure-packed itinerary
2. Rainbow Beach
Best for:
✅ Shortest ferry crossing (15 mins)
✅ Cheap pre and post accommodation
✅ Chilled out little town where you can also do Dolphin Kayaking
❌ Limited amenities compared to larger towns
Tag A Tour Options from Rainbow Beach:
Pippies 3 Day Tour
- Includes Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck, Eli Creek, Champange Pools
- Nightly Campfire (including firewood)
- Hot showers & pre-set 2 pax tents (even includes sleeping bag and pillow)
- No extra fees to pay onboard
- Own private camp ground on Kgari
- All meals included on tour and BYO Alcohol
- Rainbow beach HOSTEL & APARTMENTS A 2-minute walk from Rainbow Beach town centre and beach, this unpretentious hostel lies 12 km from the Inskip Point Recreation Area and 14 km from Double Island Point. We don’t have a bar so you’re welcome to bring your own.
Dingos 3 Day tour
- Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck, Eli Creek & Champagne Pools
- Nightly campfire (firewood included)
- 75 Mile Beach 4WD adventure & rainforest walks
- Wildlife spotting (including wild dingoes)
- Pre-set 2-person dome tents (no pitching required)
- Bedding provided (sleeping bag & pillow included)
- Hot showers ($2 for 5 mins – donated to Indigenous community)
- Flushing toilets
- Private campground on K’gari
- All meals included & BYO alcohol welcome
- Reduce Excess options: per driver $25 to reduce to $1,500 excess or $50 to reduce to $500 excess.
Dingos 2 Day tour
- 2-person dome tents
- Bedding included (tents pre-set up)
- Hot showers available ($2 for 5 minutes – proceeds donated to Indigenous community)
- Flushing toilets
- All meals included
- BYO alcohol welcome
- No extra fees onboard
- Private campground on K’gari
- Nightly campfire (firewood provided)
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck, Eli Creek & Champagne Pools
- 75 Mile Beach 4WD adventure
- Rainforest walks & wildlife spotting
- Fun, social atmosphere
- Budget-friendly adventure
- Perfect for short getaways
- Reduce Excess options: per driver $25 to reduce to $1,500 excess or $50 to reduce to $500 excess.
K’gari Safari 3 Day tour
- Begins in Noosa, pickup avaliable in Rainbow Beach
- 4-person tents (shared accommodation)
- Bedding included (no need to bring your own)
- Free hot showers available
- Flushing toilets on-site
- All meals included (dietary requirements catered for)
- BYO alcohol welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Champagne Pools & Maheno Shipwreck
- 4WD adventures along sandy tracks & beaches
- Rainforest walking trails
- Wildlife spotting opportunities
- Hassle-free camping experience (all gear provided)
- Perfect mix of adventure and relaxation
- Departs from Noosa
- World Heritage-listed island exploration
Swag Adventures 3 Day Tour
- Begins in Noosa, pickup avaliable in Rainbow Beach
- 1-person swag camping (authentic outback experience)
- Bedding included ($20 refundable deposit required)
- Outdoor cold rinsing shower available
- Basic toilet facilities provided
- All meals included (campfire cooking)
- BYO drinks welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Champagne Pools & Maheno Shipwreck
- Thrilling 4WD adventures along 75 Mile Beach
- Rainforest walks among ancient satinay trees
- Wildlife spotting opportunities (dingoes, birds, marine life)
- All camping equipment provided
- Expert local guides
- Authentic Australian bush experience
- Perfect for adventure seekers
- Explore World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Sleep under the stars
- No hidden fees
Island Expeditions 3 Day Tour
- 2-person shared tents (comfortable camping)
- Bedding included ($20 refundable deposit)
- Outdoor cold rinsing shower available
- Basic toilet facilities provided
- All meals included (no hidden costs)
- BYO drinks welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck & Champagne Pools
- 4WD adventures along 75 Mile Beach
- Scenic rainforest walks
- Wildlife spotting opportunities
- All camping equipment provided
- Hassle-free experience
- Perfect mix of adventure & relaxation
- Social group atmosphere
- Departs from Noosa
- Explore World Heritage-listed K’gari
- No extra fees onboard
Drop Bear K’gari Adventures 3 Day Tour
- Dorm-style shared accommodation
- Bedding included
- Free hot showers available
- Toilet facilities provided
- All meals included
- Self-drive 4WD adventure (bring your own or rent)
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck & Champagne Pools
- Explore Eli Creek
- Drive along 75 Mile Beach
- Rainforest walks included
- Wild dingo spotting opportunities
- Campsite bookings arranged
- Expert itinerary provided
- Safety briefings included
- Freedom to explore at your pace
- Local knowledge and support
- Perfect for confident drivers
- Authentic Fraser Island experience
- World Heritage-listed locations
- Small group experience
- BYO alcohol permitted
- All camping facilities provided
- No hidden costs
- 3-day adventure-packed itinerary
3. Hervey Bay (Gateway to K’gari)
Best for: Those combining Fraser Island with whale watching (Jul-Oct)
✅ Most established departure point
✅ Wide range of accommodation options
✅ Calmer nightlife than Rainbow Beach
❌ Longer transfer to island (45 min ferry)
Tag A Tour Options from Hervey Bay:
Fraser Dingo 3 Day Tour
- 4 to 5-bed dorm accommodation (no private rooms)
- Bedding included (sleeping bag & pillow provided)
- Hot showers available
- Toilet facilities on-site
- All meals included (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- BYO alcohol welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck & Champagne Pools
- Swim in Eli Creek’s refreshing waters
- 4WD adventures along sandy tracks
- Explore lush rainforest trails
- Spot wild dingoes in their natural habitat
- All camping gear provided
- Hassle-free experience (everything organized)
- Perfect for adventure seekers
- Discover towering sand dunes & freshwater lakes
- World Heritage-listed island exploration
- 3-day immersive nature experience
Fraser Dingo 2 Day Tour
- 4 to 5-bed dorm accommodation (shared rooms only)
- Bedding included (no need to bring your own)
- Hot showers available
- Toilet facilities provided
- All meals included (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- BYO drinks welcome
- Visit Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck & Eli Creek
- Thrilling 4WD convoy experience
- Beach driving along sandy tracks
- Rainforest walks included
- Scenic lookout visits
- Wildlife spotting opportunities
- All camping equipment provided
- Hassle-free outdoor experience
- Budget-friendly adventure
- Perfect for short getaways
- 2-day action-packed itinerary
- No hidden fees
- Stargazing at camp
- Professional guides included
Pro Tips for Choosing
- Time constraints? Pick Rainbow Beach for fastest access
- Want whale watching? Hervey Bay is your only option
- Prefer upscale amenities? Noosa delivers
- On a budget? Rainbow Beach has the most affordable tour options
