Fraser Island for a novice?

I forgot to also ask whether it would be necessary to book hotel accommodation in advance during February or if it would be fine to just rock up.

the most common way hire companies lose vehicles is by unexperienced drivers hiring 4wd, burrying them, and ruining their holiday. This is not to say you shouldnt do it, but i would recommend at least some exposure, and well, would you fly a plane without any lessons??? Just be safe!

yeah, apart from rolling it, just getting bogged while no-one else does and then wondering why and what to do next when RACQ is out of range, is very very awkward.

Garbage,

It would be unwise to go without any off road experience or without someone with experience, however, there are dozens of troopies that are full of inexperienced people (which sometimes cause accidents)

Check out this site about sand driving and the following links

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/find_a_park_or_forest/fraser_island_great_sandy_national_park/#gen5

driving on sand

No amount of theory equates to experiance so play safe, be reasonable, responsible and you should be fine. Common sense will get you a long way.

Take at least the basic recovery equipment and if you get in trouble people will help you out.

R.

Thanks for the replies! I thought as much that it was a bad idea, so I'll probably just go on an organised tour instead.

What about accommodation - is it worth booking in advance for February?

garbage

Mate, I'm not so sure that driving on Fraser is so bad for an inexperienced driver. We all started somewhere. Main thing is to read and talk to people so you know the principals. Then take it easy and use common sense. If you are sensible, the worst that will happen is you will get bogged.

Make sure you have a compressor and tyre guage. Make sure the 4B has recovery points. I get to Fraser 2 or 3 times each year and don't mind helping others who are having trouble. Only ones I don't like helping are those who are totally unprepared and won't listen to the advice of those who have been there (or similar places) many times.

Other than the troopies that the back packers hire, there are companies that hire out Hiluxes and a few other vehicles You should be able to find a few options on the net. I'd go for a 'real' 4WD with reasonable clearance and low range.

To really experience Fraser, it is great to camp. Some of the vehicle hire places also hire out camping gear. But I guess if you are not into camping, too much new stuff at once might be a bit stressful.

Anyway, do the research and check it out. If you go and take care, you will love it. It is a wonderful place to spend a few days.

If you are going after the school holidays, the crowds won't be too bad, but probably worth booking if you decide not to camp.

I have a course on the 11th February...

;-)

As said, Fraser is not a hardcore destination, 99% of visitors heed the warnings, use some common sense and have a memorable trip for all of the right reasons.

Norm has given you some good advice.

Without blowing my own trumpet however, no amount of theory replaces the confidence of having practical experience...

All good advice. However when you balance it out, consider that the tours can give a first timer a good appreciation of the isalond and set him up for when he might choose to do it alone. If you are restricted by time and local knowledge and haven't driven a 4X4 before, it is probably better to go with a tour. The cost of recovery gear is not cheap.
EV700

If you are not camping, there are a couple of resorts, as well houses for rent.
I have both camped and hired a house at Eurong.

I would give the hiring of a 4wd a go. Plenty of novices do it.
At least you are in the right frame of mind, and asking questions.
Try and do a course if you can.
Ask the 4wd hire people to give you a good summary of the vehicle and the controls.
Maybe stick to the southern beach and a few tracks.
If it is really dry, you will be limited. If it rains just before you get there the tracks will be easier.
Watch the tides, look them up for Feb. now to see which weeks suits best.
Don't try and travel on high tide on the beach.
Look up the web site above.

G'day Mate.
I spent a week at Fraser (my first time there) in early October and had a blast. I towed a camper trailer with my '98 Pathfinder and had no trouble whatsoever. The only people we saw having trouble were the backpackers in the hire Troopies. They cram 11 people in and a a heap of gear on the roof rack and then tell them not to lower the tyre pressures!

Hi, like normc I go to fraser several times a year - in fact just got back last week. The only crowd I saw was at eli creek which you must go there for a wash/swim. The march flies are out at the moment, but if ur not trying to put up a tent with 3 kids they shldnt worry you. There has been a bit of rain, leaving the sand easier to drive on. The cars we always see bogged are those soft roaders that people take up there. Buy that tide book , about 4bucks and time your departure and arrival around the low tide. Get a good 4 wd, and be careful going nth of indian head. I never put my tyres down lower than 24. I never have trouble, but if I did, I can drop them further. Watch out for the gutters when driving along the beach, hitting them at 80klm makes a bit of noise and the entire contents of the vehicle get airborne. Pls slow down around kids when driving on the beach, it takes nothing to do so. Oh yeah, their are police up so no sucking a beer while driving off the barge anymore and take your rod and as much food as you can fit in. Buy everything before the island, gympie has some great shopping, fantastic pubs too.
Ill be heading back their in end jan 2 weeks pulling the trailer, and you'll quickly learn how to drive on sand- its like riding a bike. The barge guys can give you some great ideas too.