NEWS & EVENTS with JAWA Off Road Campers
Is there a better way to start the day than opening the door of your off-road camper and stepping out onto the pristine white sand of an island paradise? Traditionally, caravan and camping enthusiasts were restricted to staying on the beaten path due to their caravan’s limitations. Today, hybrid off road caravan design has come a long way, making the beach caravanning dream a reality for many. Now, destinations popular for 4×4 beach drives are dotted with well-equipped camping setups and outdoor adventurers living their best lives. For devotees of off-road camping, beach caravanning has become the ultimate experience, and unsurprisingly, travellers are turning their sights to Brisbane’s four natural wonders – the Sand Islands.
Taking your off-road camper onto sand presents unique but not insurmountable challenges. Here’s what you need to know before you head off on your 4WD Sand Islands escape.
K’gari (Fraser Island)
Boasting the title of the world’s largest sand island, K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island), is one of Queensland’s leading tourist destinations – and for good reason. Stretching over 123km along the southern coast of Central Queensland, K’gari, a listed World Heritage site since 1992, offers travellers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the rich culture of the Butchulla people, the Traditional Custodians of the land. With its 75-mile beach 4-wheel drive track that runs the length of the island, its popularity with camping and caravan enthusiasts is hardly surprising.
Access
Access to K’gari is via ferry from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Bay, which take just 30 minutes and 10 minutes respectively.
Permits
You will need to purchase a vehicle access permit (VAP) to drive on the island. This can be obtained online before travel or from the local visitor information centre when you arrive. A camping permit is also required (unless you are staying at one of the privately run camping areas) and must be prominently displayed in your camping area.
Other important things to know about off road camping K’gari
Some of the tracks can be challenging, even for experienced drivers. When possible, drive on tracks made by other vehicles, as the sand will usually be more compact. It’s essential to also check tide times and drive at low tide when the sand is firmest.
The island has limited fuel stations, so it is advisable to take what you will need with you.
Don’t forget to reduce your tyre pressure on both your vehicle and your off-road camper before hitting the sand. This ensures that your tyres have a greater surface area where they meet the sand, thereby reducing the likelihood of you becoming bogged. It’s worth noting that if you are boarding the ferry at Rainbow Bay, you will need to deflate your tyres before boarding the barge as there is a large sand crossing known locally as The Graveyard due to the number of people who become bogged there!
When visiting any of the Sand Islands, it is essential to carry appropriate recovery gear such as a snatch strap, shovel, tyre gauge and a portable air compressor for reinflating tyres.
WARNING: There have been incidences involving native dingos on K’gari. Do not feed the dingos. Do not interact with the dingos. Keep small children within arms reach at all times.
North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
Known by the Quandamooka people (people of the bay) as Minjerribah ‘place of many mosquitoes,’ or simply ‘Straddie’ by locals, North Stradbroke Island is popular with nature lovers. Unlike Moreton Island, Stradbroke Island boasts plenty of wildlife, and it’s happily of the less threatening kind compared to K’gari!
North Stradbroke Island features both sealed and unsealed roads and a variety of 4WD tracks of varying difficulty, making it suitable for off-road campers of all experience levels.
Access
Access to North Stradbroke Island is via SeaLink North Stradbroke ferry services from Cleveland, east of Brisbane in the Redland City region. The service operates 365 days a year, with the crossing taking around 60 minutes.
Permits
All vehicles arriving on North Stradbroke Island need to be registered and have a valid permit (these are available from various places around the island). Permits are available for 1 month or 1 year, with all profits made going directly back into preserving the island’s natural habitat.
A camping permit is also required, and you must stay at one of the designated campgrounds.
Both permits can be obtained online through Minjerribah Camping.
Other important things to know about off road camping North Stradbroke Island
Beach driving is only permitted on Main Beach and Flinders Beach and driving on dunes is prohibited.
Follow tracks at all times to avoid damaging the surrounding ecosystem.
Moreton Island (Mulgumpin)
If breathtaking coastlines and beautiful blue lagoons are your thing, an off-road camping trip to Moreton Island is worth considering. At 37km long, Moreton (known as Mulgumpin, meaning ‘place of sandhills’) is the third largest sand island in the world and offers travellers plenty to explore.
Access
Access to Moreton Island is via a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane.
Permits
Both a vehicle access permit and a camping permit are required on Moreton Island and can be obtained from Mulgumpin Camping.
Other important things to know about off road camping Moreton island
There is no vehicle recovery or mechanic on Moreton Island, so it is highly recommended that you ensure your vehicle and camper are in top condition and you pack your own recovery gear.
There are five beach camping areas on the island. Camping on the beach is not allowed outside of officially designated zones.
The North West Yellow Patch and South West zones are suitable for caravan access.
Interior tracks are only suitable for skilled off-road campers.
Bribie Island (Yarun)
The smallest of the Sand Islands, at just 34km long and 8 kilometres wide, Bribie Island nevertheless offers explorers a chance to experience an unmissable off-road paradise. Named Yarun (meaning ‘hunting ground’) by the Kabi Kabi and Joondoburri people, Bribie Island is popular with visitors who enjoy 4WD adventures, unspoiled coastline, and plentiful fishing.
Access
Unlike the other Sand Islands, visitors to Bribie Island do not need to board a ferry. The island can be reached via the Bribie Island Bridge which spans the Pumicestone Passage.
Permits
As with the other Sand Islands, you will need to obtain a vehicle access permit and a camping permit to stay in your off-road camper at Bribie Island.
Other important things to know about off road camping Bribie Island
Gallagher Point and Poverty Creek on the west side of the island provide shaded bush camping areas, whilst Ocean Beach on the east offers over 3km of sandy and secluded camping spots, accessible only by 4WD.
Each of Queensland’s Sand Islands falls under a different local jurisdiction, so it is imperative to check off-road camping regulations for your chosen island before you go.
4WD Sand Islands with confidence! Discover the Aussie-tough range at JAWA Off Road Campers.
JAWA Off Road Campers is a 100% owned and operated Australian company based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland. With the significant growth in our brand over the last few years, we have recently branched out and opened a new showroom and service centre in Sydney NSW, so even more Aussie
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