Discover Fraser Island in 2 Days with Cool Dingo Tours

Discover Fraser Island in 2 Days with Cool Dingo Tours

Written by Heather

Topics: Life in Oz

Fraser Island is considered to be the world’s largest sand island and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia. Beyond that, I knew little-to-nothing about the island prior to the 2-day tour Brooke and I enjoyed with Cool Dingo Tours.

Cool Dingo shows you as much of the island as possible in two days without being too action-packed (check out the 2-day itinerary).

Besides the scenery, my 3 favorite aspects of the tour:
● 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and 1 breakfast are included in the price. Bonus — the meals were really nice for a tour geared toward 18-35 year olds. And there was plenty for everyone! AND they even had a slice of gluten free cake waiting for me for dessert. Delicious gluten free cake.
● No hostels or camping for us — we stayed in the “Wilderness Lodge” of the Kingfisher Bay Resort. You can opt for a shared room with others in your group or have a private room for couples.
● We got lucky and had the BEST tour guide ever. In fact, he deserves his own post. Heading to Fraser? Request Dave.

The tour kicked off with a pick-up at our hostel in Hervey Bay, a check-in at the main office, and a 45-minute ferry ride to the island. Dave greeted us at the dock and led us to our massive 4WD vehicle. As it’s a sand island with no roads (with the exception of a few around the resort), only 4WDs are permitted on the island. There are self-drive tours available with various companies, but I had heard reports of fatal accidents caused by inexperienced drivers. No thank you! The only way I would see Fraser Island is if I had an experienced driver as my guide.

Can seat up to 40 I think…thankfully we only had 18!
Fraser Island group tour 4WD

Day 1 in photos

A walk around Basin Lake
Fraser Island, Basin Lake

Carnivorous plants at Basin lake
Fraser Island: Carnivorous plants

After the lake we enjoyed several walks, had lunch, and then headed to Lake McKenzie to swim, walk, or rest for a couple of hours.

Lake McKenzie — crystal clear!
Fraser Island, Lake McKenzie

Lake McKenzie
Fraser Island: Lake McKenzie

Love my Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions towel

Wilderness Lodge — home for the night
Fraser Island: Wilderness Lodge

Just missed sunset at the jetty
Fraser Island: Just after sunset at the jetty

Day 2 in photos

Day 2 kicked off with a *breathtaking* drive down the beach — and I was in the front seat! Dave always asked if anyone would like to spend the next bit of the journey in the front with him, and I couldn’t have selected a better time. A strong sense of peace and calm settled in as I gazed at the gorgeous landscape around me. It lasted for hours 🙂

Another view of our vehicle
Fraser Island: Our transport

Fabulously fantastic Dave
Fraser Island: Dave

Maheno Shipwreck
Fraser Island, Maheno Shipwreck

The Pinnacles
Fraser Island: The Pinnacles

Crab in the Champagne Pool
Fraser Island: Champagne Pool

Fraser Island, Champagne Pool

Fraser Island: Champagne Pool

Fraser Island: Champagne Pool

Dingo spotting
Dingo on Fraser Island | Australia

Dave’s favorite spot on the island
Fraser Island

Fraser Island

Over the course of two days I learned how special Fraser Island is, and selecting which photos to share here only reminded me of that fact. It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of days enjoying nature, meeting new people, and relaxing in unspoilt beauty.

While I remember Fraser Island’s beauty clearly, the first thing I think of when someone mentions “Fraser Island” is tour guide Dave. He truly defined our experience, and I can’t wait to share more about him in an upcoming post.

The two-day Fraser Island experience was sponsored by Cool Dingo Tours and we traveled free of charge, and all words and opinions are my own.

12 Comments Comments For This Post I'd Love to Hear Yours!

  1. Andi says:

    Beyond beyond beyond amazing!!! So jealous you went there. One day! Look at that water ahhhhhhh.

  2. Rebecca says:

    Flash!

    I did a cheaper backpackers tour and so glad I did! Those self-drives (unless you know the whole car) look like an accident waiting to happen.

    • Heather says:

      While still at the hostel, a tour guide from another company came by to pick up a self-drive group. He showed them a video about accidents from the past and told them stories about the fatal ones…if I had booked a self-drive that would have been enough to send me running!

  3. Mom says:

    I love Dave’s favorite spot. Reminds me of Jocky’s Ridge on the Outer Banks…BTW, we initiated our group with us at the beach with a climb at sunset.

  4. Adam @ SitDownDisco says:

    Awesome. I’ve always wanted to go there as everyone has good things to say about it. Not sure if I’d self drive myself… I think you’d need to be an experienced 4wder to handle all the different sand conditions!

  5. Michela says:

    beautiful pics ! I was there 6 years ago…and also joined a tour. It was a fantastic experience…saw the most amazing and hidden places and learnt so much about this awesome island !

  6. Annie says:

    Lake McKenzie is still one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! I love the pics and can’t wait to experience Fraser Island again!

  7. Gerard - GQ trippin says:

    Glad I saw this. Just got into Hervey Bay and am leaving for the Cool Dingo 3 day tour tomorrow with Q! Can’t wait and so excited. Hope we get Dave too!

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