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You are here: Home / Archives for 4WD Driving

Bogged – Don’t be a Victim and Get Bogged at Inskip Point

January 6, 2021 by Rusty

“A little advice prior to your arrival at Inskip Point to ensure you don’t get bogged”

Visitors to Fraser Island often have no real idea of what to expect once they reach Inskip point.

It’s advisable that you make a quick stop in the car park area ( under the shade of the trees) and prepare to let down your tyres. Driving in the soft sand with fully inflated tyres is bad news and you’ll just get bogged.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 4WD Driving, About Fraser, Caravan And Camping, Featured, Fraser Facts Tagged With: bogged, inskip, island, sand

4WD Vehicle Preparation – Top Tips Before Driving on Fraser Island (K’gari)

December 15, 2020 by Rusty

A 4WD is needed on Fraser Island

4 Wheel Drive Vehicle Preparations

Preparing your 4WD for your Fraser Island adventure is a must do. Beach driving can be dangerous so you need to be prepared.

For many, Fraser Island is regarded as a 4WD enthusiasts playground. It is 4WD Heaven so to speak!

Everything from driving the beach and sandy inland tracks, to crossing creeks and traversing rocky outcrops. It will surely get your heart racing.

Regardless of how much fun you have, we still need you to stay safe when on the island.

Here are our top tips to ensure you and your vehicle are well prepared to visit K’gari and return home safely.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 4WD Driving, Prepare Your 4WD Tagged With: 4WD, Preparation, Sand Driving

Best Tyre Pressure For Sand Driving on Fraser Island

August 27, 2020 by Ursula Boston

So you have decided to come and visit Fraser Island.

Your 4WD is prepared and packed with all your supplies and recovery gear, you have your permits and barge tickets and you’re ready to go.

But you’re thinking about all the concerns of driving on the beach in the sand for the first time.

The question you may be asking is.

What Tyre Pressure Should You Have?

Here is a rough guide. Knowing your own vehicle is a must as it can vary.

  • 4 WD only – 16-20psi of tyre pressure
  • 4WD + trailer (box trailer or camper-van) – 12-16psi of tyre pressure
  • 4WD + Large Boat or Caravan – 12psi of tyre pressure

The tyre pressure will vary depending on the conditions. The softer the sand the flatter you will need to make your tyres.

The best guide we can give is from our own personal experience. We own a Land Cruiser V8. On occasions we have lowered the tyre pressure down to as low as 12psi to get us out of a bog while towing a boat.

What tyre pressure is normal for beach driving?

The firmer the sand the higher the vehicle tyre pressure should be. We use up to 20psi on the firm beach sand. Down to 16psi or lower on the softer sand.

What Pressure? I’m towing a boat or camper trailer

If you are towing a camper trailer or boat. You will need to lower the pressure ranges some more. Generally between 12-16psi of tyre pressure depending on the conditions.

We would raise the pressure again when driving on the beach on firmer sand.

Crossing at Rainbow Beach (Inskip Point)

You need to deflate your tyres at the Rainbow Beach before attempting to board the barge from the beach. There is a large sand crossing before reaching the barge.

This is know by locals as the Graveyard. Don’t get bogged at Inskip point.

I’m at Rainbow Beach where do I let my tyres down?

Our favourite spot to let tyres down is on the side of the road at Inskip Point under the big trees. Just a 15 minute drive. You are in the shade, off the main road and close to the entry way towards the barge.

You can deflate tyres at the Rainbow Beach Car wash however we don’t recommend this as it is a long drive from the township out to the Point. Driving on bitumen with low tyre pressure and a full load can be unsafe.

Just in case you missed this point, we will say it again. Don’t make the mistake many drivers do and think to drop the pressure on the Barge. You will be driving in the sand way before you hit the barge.

The roundabout at Inskip Point is the last bit of bitumen road. It turns to dirt and then the soft sand hits. This area is known as the Graveyard !!!

Many vehicles sink and get bogged because they have not let tyre pressure down prior to this point.

Learn more about the Inskip Point Barge here

Crossing At River Heads (Wanggoolba Creek)

Crossing at River Heads is different. You can should let your tyres down while on the barge during the River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek crossing. When you drive off the barge you almost immediately hit the sand.

Handy Hint
River Heads and Wanggoolba creek are renowned for mosquito’s and sand flies so please have your insect repellent handy. You don’t want to start you trip full of itchy bites !!

Learn More about the River Heads Barge

What Will I Need To Carry?

To lower tyre pressure you will need a pressure gauge. You can purchase these at any 4×4 or auto superstore. There are many to chose from depending on budget but they all do the job.

We carry a digital gauge and just hand deflate each tyre and deflate till we reach the optimum pressure. Takes a bit of time but if you have a few passengers you can all do one each.

Otherwise you can buy 4 self deflating gauges that can be pre set to the desired pressure you require. These are fast and great if you are travelling alone. Learn more about 4WD vehicle preparation.

What if I get bogged?

Stay calm and stop spinning your wheels. Point the steering wheel forward. Get out an access the situation. Clear the underbelly of sand. Continue Reading here

Where To Inflate Tyres Once Off the Island?

You should re-inflate your tyres in the same place you deflated them when originally made the crossing.

If crossing from Wanggoolba Creek to River Heads inflate your tyres on the barge.

Or under the trees on the side of the road at Inskip Point.

 

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Filed Under: 4WD Driving Tagged With: air pressure, bogged, pressure, pressure gauge, Sand Driving, tyre, tyres

Avoid Beach Rage – Driver Courtesy on Fraser Island

May 21, 2015 by Ursula Boston

Nkgala track

Fraser Island driver etiquette – dos and don’t s to avoid road / beach rage !!

The beaches along Fraser Islands coast line are classified as gazetted roads, so normal Queensland road rules and regulations apply.

However, there is a few unspoken rules to abide by, as a matter of driver courtesy to other drivers and pedestrians on the beach.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 4WD Driving Tagged With: Beach Driving, Sand Driving

Police Patrol Fraser Island – Be Prepared and Always Drive Carefully

April 30, 2015 by Rusty

Towing on Fraser

Tourists are shocked to know that there is an active Police presence on Fraser Island. The official Police Station is located on the Eastern beach at Eurong.

The police do regularly patrol the beaches.

  • checking speed limits
  • doing random breath testing
  • and ensuring seat belts are worn.

They are regularly in force, generally ensuring that people are being responsible and doing the right thing. Read on to learn more.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 4WD Driving, Fraser Facts Tagged With: Beach Driving, Dangers, Preparation, Sand Driving

A Little About Us

Kids and sandboarding – awesome fun on Fraser Dunes

We are the Boston family. Rusty, Ursula and our 2 daughters Summer & Lotus. We are long time residents and live permanently in the tiny township of Orchid Beach at the northern end of Fraser Island...
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