Driving Times From Inskip Point to Orchid Beach

A very common question that everyone asks is how long it takes to get to Orchid Beach.

The short answer depends! Depends on the weather, the tide and the driving condition, more about that later. A cruisy run is about 3 Hours. See our video below.

Inskip Point Parking Area – Park your vehicle to adjust tyre pressure

Let Down Your Tyres

When you arrive at Inskip Point, you should park your vehicle and let down your tyres in preparation for the sandy beach track ahead.

This can take 10-30 mins depending on how many tires you need to let down – especially if you are towing – and what equipment you are using to deflate.

Once you have the correct tyre pressure (we recommend 18psi as a general guide) you can safely drive off the bitumen and down the dirt track to where you meet the sandy area of the spit to get to the Barge.

Inskip Point – the end of the bitumen road to the entry of the dirt track

Inskip Point – The Notorious Beach Boggings

This beach at Inskip Point is notorious for vehicles getting stuck. It is sometimes narrow ( especially with higher tides) and is frequented by hundreds of vehicles every day.

The boggings are usually because vehicles have too much air pressure in their tyres, as drivers presume that they can lower their vehicle tyre pressure once they get onto the barge.

BE WARNED – LOWER TYRE PRESSURE BEFORE YOU GET TO THE SAND AT INSKIP POINT

The Barge Crossing From Inskip Point

In peak holiday times you can wait for up to an hour to get onto the barge. So factor this in when you are planning your tide travels as a worst-case scenario. Most often however you can drive straight on the Barge no worries.

For further information about the Barge check out our other informative pages…Barge and Barge Boarding

From Inskip Point to Boarding the Barge (15 minutes)

Once all the vehicles are loaded on board the trip takes about 15-30 minutes to get across to the other side, depending on the wind.

Once you reach the island at Hook Point, turn left to where your real journey begins.

From Boarding the Barge to landing at Hook Point (20 minutes)

Loading onto the barge to cross to Fraser Island

Driving Time is Dependant On Many Factors

You must remember that the times that we estimate are a guide only, and are from our experiences driving the island.

Many factors will alter the times including:

Tide times – Even low tides can be higher than usual with large swells, especially on windy days.
Beach Conditions – sometimes the beach can be full of debris, washouts and whoopsies.
Barge availability – May be a huge lineup to get on the barge so you will need to wait.
Traffic – traffic on the beach can be hectic, be aware of speed zones.
Weather -wind and rain lowers visibility so the drive can be slower.
Towing – this can make for a slow trip with a heavy load.

Only attempt this drive 2 hours on either side of low tide as the beach around Hook Point can be very soft at high tide.

At the car park at Inskip Point Rd Inskip – Let down your tyres (5-10min)
Head east on Inskip Point Rd and out across the sand to meet the manta-ray barge at the end of Rainbow Beach (2 min)
Take the Ferry across to Fraser Island (25 min)
When you exit the barge turn right and follow the beach ( 75 Mile Beach) to Orchid Beach.
If it’s High Tide Take Bypass Rd and Fraser Island Beach Track
Low tide from Hook Point along 75-Mile beach to Orchid

Taking into consideration all this information, it would be reasonable to allow plenty of time to travel around Fraser Island.

Fraser Island Speed Limits

Driving on the beaches at Fraser Island is like driving on a normal road. The beach is classed as a gazetted road therefore road rules apply. There is a Police presence on the island and rules are enforced.

The Police Station is located just north of Eurong Beach about 2km. It is well-signed should you require police assistance.

There are many different speeding zones around the island that you should generally be aware of when you are driving around Fraser Island. Different zones have different speed limits.

When driving along the beach – 80km/hr.
In or around any of the tourist areas or townships – will lower to 40km/hr.
Usually because of a high volume of traffic and pedestrians.
Inland tracks are usually 35km/hr.

Following the speed limits on the island is important to ensure that every driver and passenger stay safe.

Also See: Driver road rules, speed limits and driver courtesy on the Island.

Fraser Island Driving Times

Watch: Top Sand Driving Tip For Fraser Island

Sometimes the beach can be full of washed-up vegetation, washouts can be deeper than usual, previous tides may have been small and the beach is now lumpy or even the rocky bypasses have deteriorated.

Hook Point

Once you drive off the Barge you will be at Hook Point.

It usually takes about 10 minutes to get around the point and onto the surf beach.

From Inskip Point to the other side of Hook Point takes about 30 minutes.

Dilli Village

45 Minutes later is the next landmark of Dilli Village.

This is predominately an Educational Base Camp however you can still book and stay a few nights at Dilli Village on Fraser Island

From Inskip Point to Dilli Village is about one hour and 15 minutes.

Eurong

From Dilli Village to Eurong can take about 30 minutes to complete.

Eurong is a small tourist township and the Eurong Beach Resort is one of the main attractions of the town.

You can stop in for a pie or pick up some supplies if you are camping or touring around the island.

From Inskip Point To Eurong can take about an hour and 45 minutes.

More About The Township Of Eurong on Fraser Island

Watch: The drive from Eurong to Orchid Beach

Poyungan Rocks

Fifteen minutes up the beach is Poyungan Rocks. A small headland that has a bypass track that diverts around the Eastern beach of 75 Mile Beach.

This diverts is due to the mass of scattered coffee rock along this section of the beach.

It can take about two hours to get from Inkskip Point to Poyungan Rocks.

More about Poyungan Rocks Fraser Island

Yidney Rocks

Ten minutes later you may come across another rocky outcrop called Yidney Rocks.

This also has a bypass track, but this is a wider track and you can fit two cars side by side.

It takes about two hours and ten minutes to get to Yidney Rocks.

Happy Valley

Then literally a few minutes (5 mins) later is the small town of Happy Valley.

You can stop and get a snack and some fuel if required at Happy Valley.

Remember you are still inside the 40km/h zone all the way from before Yidney Rocks to past Happy Valley.

It takes about two hours and fifteen minutes to get to Happy Valley.

Watch: Rusty driving from Eurong to Eli Creek

Eli Creek

Just up the beach for another 5 mins or so is the Eli Creek swimming spot

It is one of those must-see spots to visit on Fraser Island.

Well worth the stop. In the summertime, this is a perfect spot to cool down for a refreshing shallow water swim.

Elic Creek is always deep enough that you should really slow down for it. Walking speed or less.

It takes about two hours and twenty minutes to get to Eli Creek from the barge.

Maheno Shipwreck

Another popular attraction you will see on your journey to Orchid Beach.

The shipwreck is a must-see attraction on the island and a popular spot for tourists.

The wreck provides an opportunity for brilliant photographs for you to show off and tell a tale of your Fraser Island holiday.

The Pinnacles

These sandstone pinnacles are located near Eli Creek and span for over a kilometre.

The colours of the sandstone are absolutely stunning, with different shades of red, orange and yellow.

Your time now from the barge is two hours and twenty-five minutes.

Learn more about the Pinnacles On Fraser Island

Cathedral Beach

The next landmark is the turnoff to the Cathedrals.

This is a great place to get a coffee and fill up if you need it. It also has a nice campsite and caravan park.

It takes about two hours and thirty minutes from the barge to get to Cathedral Beach.

Dundaburra

Dundaburra is a managed camping ground on Fraser Island.

It has some lovely camping spots for both tents and camper trailers or caravans. Hot showers and clean amenities.

It takes about two hours and thirty minutes to get to Dundaburra from the barge.

Indian Head

Twenty minutes north of Dundaburra is Indian Head

Has a magnificent view from the top of the cliffs at Indian Head.

Many are surprised at just how much marine life you can see from the 50-meter cliffs below.

It takes about two hours and fifty minutes to here from the barge.

Indian Head Walking Track and Lookout on Fraser Island

Watch: Rusty Drive the jump-up track around Indian Head

Champagne Pools

Champagne Pools is a must-see for anyone visiting Fraser Island. It is popular with backpackers who love to sunbake and swim.

Be warned that this stretch between Just South of Indian Head and North to Champagne Pools and onto Orchid Beach is notorious for vehicles getting bogged.

Driving times may take longer due to this so be warned.

It takes about two hours and fifty-five minutes from the barge to the Champagne Pools.

Watch: Rusty Drive the inland track from Champagne Pools to Orchid Beach

Orchid Beach

This stretch of driving from Champagne Pols to Orchid Beach is short in kilometres but long in actual driving time.

It is notorious for soft sand, deep ruts and tree roots that protrude across the track.

This is the final stretch on your journey to Orchid Beach on Fraser Island.

Unlike other parts of this popular island, you will find more local people living here than in any place other on the island. It’s a special place and well worth the visit.

Learn More about Orchid Beach Fraser Island

*Calculated using an Average Speed of 60 km/h.

Taking into consideration of the 40 km zones and the slow rocky bypass of Poyungen Rocks and Yidney Rocks. These are a guide only and can vary greatly depending on beach and tide conditions as well as the slower speeds required on the inland tracks.