Fraser Island Driver Etiquette
The 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 while driving on Fraser Island.
However, there is a few unspoken rules to abide by, as a matter of driver courtesy to other drivers and pedestrians on the beach.
Be Patient
Be Patient when travelling (and with other drivers). There is no need to hurry, and no one is in a hurry. This is holiday time. Relax…
Use Your Indicator
Ensure you indicate to oncoming vehicles. Give plenty of warning and make your intentions clear, as to your side of the beach when oncoming vehicles are approaching.
Giving Way On Narrow tracks
Small vehicles are to give way to larger vehicles when someone needs to deviate into a passing bay, particularly on the sandy tracks. Similarly 4WD vehicles need to give way to Tour Buses. And lone vehicles give way to multiple and towing vehicles.
Use only existing passing bays.
Giving Way On Hills
Vehicles going up hill give way to vehicles going down hill on narrow tracks. The vehicle coming down the hill will find it hard to stop in soft sand. So the vehicle at the bottom of the hill should wait for the vehicle coming down the hill.
Keep Well Left
Keep left and leave a wide girth between on coming vehicles and the waters edge. You don’t want to force the oncoming driver too close to the waters edge.
Watch For Wildlife
Be mindful of the birds on the beach. They congregate in huge flocks and often die of exhaustion taking off and landing for every vehicle that passes.
Leave a wide girth around them to avoid unnecessary disturbance.
Stay On The Beach
Stay on the beach and the tracks when driving on Fraser island. Do not go” Bush Bashing” through the sand dunes. Fraser Island is a National Park and should be respected.
Check The Rear View
Check your rear vision mirrors regularly. If a driver is overtaking and in your blind spot, it can be potentially dangerous.
Help Other vehicles
Should you see a vehicle bogged or broken down, its always nice to stop and see if they require some assistance. One day it may be you who needs the help.
Beware of Beach Goers
Beware of pedestrians and small children on the beaches, slow down when approaching them.
Beware of fishermen. Drive around behind fishing rod holders on the beach, you don’t want to drive through someone’s fishing line.
If you are aware of these simple courtesy’s it will make your travel experience far more relaxing.
And Fraser Island is all about relaxing and enjoyment.
Leave the Road Rage behind in the big cities.
Related: Best Tyre Pressure For Sand Driving on Fraser Island