Fraser Island’s Cool Dingo Named ‘Best Tour in Queensland’

Independent backpackers and travellers have voted Fraser Island’s World Heritage Cool Dingo Tour as the ‘Best Tour Activity in Queensland’ for the second year running.

The 2008 TNT Golden Backpack awards are the only awards program for the independent travel sector and, according to TNT Magazine, were designed to reward those operators who work hardest to make backpacking around Australia and New Zealand that extra bit special.

Cool Dingo Tours scooped top honours in its State category, after a national campaign saw backpackers and independent travellers cast more than 11,000 votes, in more than 30 categories, for their favourite hostel, tour and backpacker night in every State and Territory in Australia and across the Tasman.

Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort: "Fluke" of Nature

Whale watching is one of the world's great natural experiences and nowhere is it as alluring as in the calm waters of Hervey Bay. Every year thousands of humpback whales travel from Antarctica along the east coast of Australia to give birth in the warm waters of Northern Queensland. On their return migration they stop to rest and play and nurture their calves in the safe waters of Hervey
Bay in the protected lee of Fraser Island.

The official season splashes down in early August with the traditional blessing of the fleet. It’s a great quirk of nature to see these huge 40,000kg whales leap out of the ocean, lift their great heads, salute with their flukes and treat onlookers to some amazing water acrobatics with a flick of their tails.

For holidaymakers travelling to the Fraser Coast, there is the added bonus of the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island on the doorstep so whale watchers can combine the best nature has to offer with a visit to the island, all in the one holiday.

Fraser Island Ferry: The journey is a great intro to destination Fraser Island

Fraser Island Barges and Ferry, provides a range of vehicle barge and ferry access to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Barges and ferry services run daily via Rainbow Beach from Inskip Point, from River Heads, south of Hervey Bay, and from Urangan Boat Harbour in Hervey Bay.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service permits are required for driving and camping on the island. Drivers should be aware of tide times and keep off the beach for two hours either side of high tide. Driving conditions vary with weather and tides. Speed limits are 35km per hour on inland roads and 80km per hour on the Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Normal road rules apply. Carry essential spares as well as a towrope, spade, water and first aid kit.

Eurong Beach Resort: Tour, Drive And Play On Fraser Island

Eurong Beach Resort boasts absolute beachfront position, just metres from Seventy Five Mile Beach, and is located close to all major attractions on the island – the headland, rainforest, wreck of the Maheno and famous fresh-water lakes.

The resort’s two-night ‘Tour, Drive and Play’ deal combines group touring and fourwheel- drive hire for the ultimate in Fraser flexibility. Prices start from $399 per person, twin share and include courtesy pick up from accommodation, transfers, Fraser Explorer morning and afternoon tour, four-wheel-drive hire, daily buffet breakfast, national park permits, buffet lunch on arrival and two nights accommodation.

Start your TOUR component with pick ups from either Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. You’ll soon get your island bearings aboard a Fraser Explorer Tour, in the company of an co-accredited local guide.

Day Two is a SELF-DRIVE day so, take to the sand tracks, with your new-found knowledge, in a 4WD Land cruiser hire car and explore the Great Sandy National park and biggest sand island in the world at your leisure.

Fraser Explorer Tours: Always wanted to see Fraser Island but don't have a four-wheel drive?

You may have read that Lake McKenzie is undergoing a facelift and will be closed to independent travellers from April 26 to the September School Holidays this year. You can however still vist Lake McKenzie on our Fraser Explorer Tours.

Voted Best Tourism Business and Major Tour and Transport Operator at the 2009 Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Awards. Fraser Explorer Tours was also a finalist in the Major Tour and Transport Operator at the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Fraser Explorer Tours offer a fun and relaxing experience for all types of travellers - singles, couples, families and small groups, with a choice of accommodation styles to suit. Don't just imagine... join a Fraser Explorer Tour and discover the best of this World Heritage wonder!

Cool Dingo Adventure: Sand, Sun, Spectacular setting and some good times!

Fraser Island’s iconic Cool Dingo guided tour takes the hard work out of managing tides,traffic and navigation on the world’s largest sand island, and puts the fun back in toadventure touring.

World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is well known for beautiful, fresh-water lakes,untouched sand dunes, ancient rainforests and the spectacular 75-mile ocean beach, whichcomes complete with a shipwreck – all of which are discovered, along with local legends and insider knowledge on a Cool Dingo tour.

These popular two and three-day guided tours for 18 to 35-year-olds, were named BestExperience in Queensland for 2008 by some of the toughest travellers on the island’s sandtracks – international and domestic backpackers.

Tours depart regularly from Hervey Bay or Brisbane and take in Fraser Island’s top beauty spots including stunning Lake McKenzie and Indian Head. Travellers can also grab their pack and fly from Sydney with Virgin or Jetstar (with connections from Melbourne and Adelaide).