The K’gari (Fraser) Coast is the perfect location for BCF’ers to kick back and relax, with its subtropical climate making this part of the region a great choice all year round. Whether you love a good camping adventure, need a 4-wheel driving fix, or prefer wetting a line, the K’gari Coast has something for everyone!
Noosa Northshore/Cooloola Coast
With more than 80km of white sandy beaches and an abundance of pristine forests and bushlands, the Noosa area is high on the to-do list for many travellers. When most people think of Noosa it’s Hastings street that springs to mind, with its clever mix of laid-back holiday atmosphere and luxury hotels that look over the beautiful Main Beach and its world-class surfing breaks. But you don’t have to look too far off the beaten track to find the perfect camping and 4-wheel driving experience. By jumping on a simple ferry ride over the Noosa river, you are greeted by Noosa Northshore and the spectacular Cooloola Coast. Stretching from Noosa to Double Island Point and all the way up to Inskip and the adjoining K’gari Island, it’s a camper’s paradise. There are many different camping areas spanning the length of the Cooloola Coast. The Noosa Northshore Beach Campground is perfect for those without access to a 4-wheel drive, as you can still get down on the beach and enjoy all the things that the area has to offer. Further to the North, you hit the popular Teewah Beach Camping Area with 7 campsites scattered amongst the dunes. This is a great fishing location, and during the Winter months it’s home to some of the best beach tailor fishing action anywhere. It’s important to remember there are no amenities such as toilets and showers at this section of the beach, but if you continue driving along the beach you will find the Freshwater camping area where these amenities along with BBQs are available.
For the hikers and bushwalkers out there, this area has you covered too. The Cooloola Great Walk is a 5-day experience, covering approximately 35km of wetlands, rainforests, beaches, and sandhills. This hike has it all in terms of terrain and landscape with a section crossing the coloured sands that feels like you’re on another planet. Be sure to hit up your local BCF store before you start your adventure to get kitted out with all the camping gear you will need!
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is yet another ripper destination on the K’gari Coast well worth a visit while you’re in the region. Known as the gateway to the magnificent K’gari Island, the beauty and serenity of Hervey Bay has seen it become a popular stop for campers and caravanners. Renowned for its exquisite white beaches fringed by the coral sea, there is no better place to visit for a little RnR on your next camping holiday. Hervey bay has an assortment of activities with fishing, 4-wheel driving, snorkelling, extensive walking tracks and whale watching offering up something for everyone. The fishing in this part of the region must be seen to be believed, thanks to the diversity of its waters and the amazing fish species available. If you like tangling with reef dwellers such as snapper, coral trout and trevally, the Coral Sea is choc-a-block with bombies and drop-offs just waiting to be cast at, and starting not far from shore means it only takes a small boat ride to put you right amongst the action. For the beach fishos, an endless supply of gutters following the shoreline as far as the eye can see will keep you busy for hours, chasing dart, mulloway, and tailor as well as your bread-and-butter bream, whiting and flathead. Two of the most popular beach fishing locations in the area include Coonarr and Torquay where you can scratch that fishing itch and hopefully get yourself a nice feed.
4-wheel driving is big business in Hervey Bay, with over 40km of natural and untouched beaches it’s a perfect destination for adventurers who like their sand driving. If you prefer heading inland the Chicken Track is well worth a look, located only 20 minutes West of Hervey it’s considered one of the best 4-wheel drive tracks around. The track takes you through swampland and native bush as you steadily climb towards the telecom tower. Here you can enjoy the fantastic views before exploring some of the other unmarked off-road tracks at your disposal.
Hervey Bay is loaded with places to stay and perfectly accommodates for campers, with many holiday parks and camping areas giving you somewhere to set up camp. Located 20 minutes west of the bay the Wongi Waterholes Camping Area is a great spot for bush camping and offers a relaxing experience amongst the eucalypt forest. It has all your essential amenities available and is positioned right on the edge of the Wongi Waterholes – perfect for cooling off in the warmer months. If you prefer spending your holidays hanging by the beach, Pialba Beachfront Caravan Park has got you covered. The largest of Hervey Bays popular caravan parks, Pialba is within walking distance of everything you could need for a bonza trip away.
K’gari Island
K’gari Island, or K’gari as it’s better known, is one place that needs little introduction (and for good reason). Aussies and international travellers alike have all been taken in by the wonder and mysticism that is K’gari. World Heritage-listed, it’s the largest sand island in the world, stretching over 123km in length and covering an area of 184,000 hectares. Rich in both culture and natural beauty, it’s easy to see why K’gari Island has become such a sought-after destination. With the list of things to do on K’gari practically endless, It’s the perfect camping and 4-wheel driving location, not to mention a beach fishos dream. For the 4X4 nuts amongst us, Seventy-Five Mile Beach has got you covered, running up the East Coast of the island this natural highway links many sand tracks throughout the island and provides access to the beautiful lakes and rainforests at its heart. If you are looking for an awesome place to take a dip and admire one of the most awe-inspiring locations on the island, Lake McKenzie is your one-stop shop. Being a perched lake, it contains only rainwater, with no run-off streams or access to the ocean. That, combined with the pure white silica sand, helps give the water its unbelievable clarity. If hiking is your thing you can tackle The Great Walk, a long-distance trail that takes full advantage of the everchanging landscape on K’gari, from its sand dunes, rainforests, mangrove coastline, and unforgettable crystal-clear lakes - this is one walk that has it all.
For the fisho’s out there, this area is home to one of the most diverse fisheries in Queensland. The secret to the abundance of this location is the fact that it lies smack bang between in the cross over area for your Northern and Southern species, giving you the best of both worlds. There’s no shortage of gutters for casting off the beach, and you can target dart, whiting, and flathead all day long. When the sun goes down, the first-class tailor action will be sure to keep you busy! If you’re chasing some pelagic action, Platypus Bay is the place to be. Renowned for its flats fishing, these bait-rich waters are influenced by the creeks on the western side of the island. A favourite for both lure and fly anglers, Platypus Bay boasts crystal-clear water that is sheltered from the onshore winds. When Christmas and the summer months come around it provides a special opportunity for anglers to chase juvenile black marlin in the close waters off K’gari Island. Rooney’s Point and Watumba Creek are the main target areas, with trolling skirts and dead baits the best options.
There are plenty of accommodation options when staying on K’gari Island, if camping is your thing there really is no place better. There are campgrounds strewn all across the island with some great options including Awinya Creek, Bowarrady Creek, and Coongul Creek Camping Areas on the west. If you prefer to stick to the Eastern side for its Beach Fishing, Waddy Point, Cromwell’s Campground, and the 8 separate camping zones will give you somewhere to pitch a tent or roll out the swag.
Agnes Water and 1770
The towns of Agnes Water and 1770 are located at the Northernmost point of the K’gari Coast and provide a stunning holiday destination that many Aussies just can’t get enough of. There’s so much on offer here, from its immaculate beaches stretching as far as the eye can see to picturesque rainforests lined with hiking and bushwalking trails (not to mention some of the best fishing in QLD)! There’s plenty to keep you and the family occupied both in and out of the water. Positioned right at the Southern end of the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, it’s no surprise that the ocean plays such a pivotal role in this great camping location. With miles of golden beaches and the reef right at your doorstep, you can easily occupy your days with snorkelling, kayaking, playing beach games or just simply walking the foreshore and admiring the beautiful wildlife that call this place home. Watch out for turtles, dolphins, and whales who all make regular appearances. If you feel like taking a hike, Round Hill Creek walking trail, the Discovery Trail, and Red Rock walking trail provide plenty to see and experience with breathtaking views and spectacular scenery that is rich in both history and culture. To get your 4x4 fix, check out Deepwater National Park where the unsealed sand tracks allow you to get the tyres dirty. The national park also provides access to Middle Rock Camping Area and Wreck Rock Camping Area, both located to the South of Agnes. There are several other great spots to pitch a tent or roll out a swag in this area, including the Reef Caravan Park, Captain Cook Holiday Village, 1770 Eco Camp and Agnes Water Beach Caravan Park. During the school holiday periods the towns become extremely busy with travellers from all over Oz, so it’s important to book in advance to ensure a little slice of paradise is all yours!
In addition to this, you can’t visit Agnes Water and 1770 without wetting a line! Whether you prefer beach & rock fishing, hitting the rivers and estuaries, or even the reef and open ocean, this area offers such a diverse fishery that will have the needs of any fisho covered. Monster GT's, dino coral trout, horse barramundi, mangrove jack, queenfish and a plethora of other targets are all hot on the hit list.
So there you have it, your comprehensive guide to the great K’gari Coast! With several BCF stores located along this part of the coast where you can stock up on all the best gear and talk with our friendly team of experts, why not drop in and say g’day? Head in-store and start your next BCF’ing adventure today!