Outer Reef Escape

Outer Reef Escape package includes:

• 2.5 Day / 3 Night OR 3 Day / 2 Night Sailing Adventure – onboard Emperors Wings or Kiana
• All meals on the sailing adventure
• 3 day / 2 nights Fraser Island Self Drive Safari – includes:
  • Camp Beaches
  • Your vehicle
  • All the camping equipment you’ll need, including: tent, ground sheet, ice boxes, pots and pans, cutlery, cups, plates, utensils, and first day’s ice.
  • Comprehensive briefings on how to drive the vehicle and what you will see and do on the island
  • Itinerary suggestions for your trip
  • Map of Fraser Island for use for the duration of your trip
  • Assistance with shopping including suggested menu
  • Return ferry transfers from River Heads (about 20 mins from Hervey Bay)
• 4 night’s hostel accommodation – to be used in Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach and/or Cairns

Please note that food, alcohol and sleeping bags are not included in the Fraser Island Self Drive Safari. We advise customers to budget approximately $20 to contribute to the grocery shopping. You will be given time to purchase alcohol on the day of your departure. Sleeping bags are available for hire at $10 cost and $10 deposit per safari.

Fraser Island

• Experience sand-driving in a whole new terrain
• Take in the beauty of the crystal clear Lake McKenzie and its dazzling white sand and bright blue and green colours
• Learn about the cultural history of the K’gari campsite area
• If you’re lucky, you may get to experience an indigenous performance and storytelling by the campfire at night at Camp Beaches by one of the local indigenous residents. Even learn to play the didgeridoo!
• Trek across a massive sand blow only to stumble upon Lake Wabby. Take a dip in the cool water and relax – you deserve it after the walk!
• Bumping and winding through the narrow inland driving tracks
• Float down Eli Creek. Did you know over 120 million litres of water per day flow through this creek and out into the ocean from an under water spring?
• Meet some new friends on your adventure and make memories!
• Take in some history at Central Station, an old logging depot that now serves as an information hut under some monstrous Bunya Pines in the middle of the island.
• Spotting baby turtles at Lake Allom
• Near Central Station, walk down along Wanggoolba Creek – a stream so clear that it’s hard at first to see the water as it runs across the forest floor
• You just can’t miss the Maheno Shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach. It makes for an awesome photo opportunity.
• Take in the magnificent and vibrant red, orange and yellow colours of the Coloured Sands cliff face
• Visit Indian Head and get some of the best views of 75 Mile Beach. Indian Head is the spot where Captain James Cook first spotted the native Aboriginal tribes of Fraser Island and also has significant indigenous history.
• Ever wanted to take a bath in champagne? A swim in the Champagne Pools is a must!
• Watching sharks and other marine life from Indian Head

Whitsundays

• Experience the rush of sailing
• Diving on the Great Barrier Reef
• Soak up the sun
• Walking on island beaches
• Lying on deck under the stars at night
• Snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef
• Sun bathing on Whitehaven Beach
• Being dazzled by the bright colours of the reef and tropical fish
• Making new friends over a nice cold beverage
• Taking in the amazing scenery around you each day
• Being surrounded by some of the clearest water you’ll ever see

Beaches is proud to use 2004/2005 model Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carriers. Features include:

• Manual and automatic transmission available
• Power steering
• 4WD (four wheel drive)
• Radio/Cassette
• Diesel fuel

In partnership with Greenfleet, Beaches offsets the carbon emissions our vehicles produce in order to reduce our impact on the environment. Beaches is the only local company travelling to Fraser Island to do so.

This package gives you the choice of 2 vessels, depending on the type of experience you desire:

Emperors Wings

Emperors Wings is a fast, stable, new dive cat visiting Whitehaven Beach followed by 2 full days of diving the Outer Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands. Experienced dive crew will share their knowledge with PADI speciality courses for certified divers, including PADI underwater digital photography with camera equipment for hire on board. PC systems and LCD screens allow on board photo editing and entertaining slide shows in the fully air-conditioned interior and spacious saloon. End the perfect days diving in our heated Jacuzzi under the mesmerizing southern stars.

Kiana

Sail and dive the Whitsunday Islands and Outer Great Barrier Reef on the 16.4m ketch Kiana. Below decks are fitted out for maximum comfort for 14 passengers. Enjoy the comfort of air-conditioning, large roomy saloon areas and comfortable cabins. Above deck there’s lots of room for gearing up to go diving, snorkelling or relaxing in the sun. The skipper, hostess and dive instructor will ensure you enjoy the best of both worlds, sailing and diving by day and great food and a relaxed atmosphere in the evenings.

Things to Bring

When travelling to Fraser Island you will need to bring:

• A small day pack with enough clothing for 3 days – a jumper and raincoat are always handy
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Hat
• Swim wear
• A camera
• Money for extras such as souvenirs and snacks

When sailing the Whitsundays we recommend you bring:

• A sense of fun and adventure!
• BYO drinks on non licensed vessels (no glass bottles please)
• Beach towel and sun hat
• Your favourite music
• Swim wear, t-shirt and shorts
• Sunscreen
• Practical clothing and footwear
• Camera
• Warmer clothes for the winter months

Local Charges

There is a total of $60 in local charges included in the total price of this package.

Fraser Island

Beaches is required to collect $60 in local fees on behalf of Queensland Parks & Wildlife and other third parties. This charge must be paid upon your arrival at Beaches Hervey Bay. This cost includes:

• A full tank of fuel
• National Park fees
• Vehicle Access fees
• Comprehensive Insurance
• Roll mats for comfort
• Ice on the first day
• Luggage storage at Hervey Bay

Whitsundays

You’re in luck! There are no local charges associated with the Whitsunday component of this package.

Check-In Information

Emperors Wings and Kiana are run by Whitsunday Sailing Adventures. Please check-in between 11:30am and 3:30pm on the day prior to your departure. Be sure to get to the Whitsunday Sailing Adventures office between these allocated times where staff will provide a pre-departure briefing. This brief will go through the things you need to remember before joining the yacht. The office is easily located in the main street of Airlie Beach above Brumby’s Bakery.

Crossing from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island

All Beaches Fraser Safaris depart Hervey Bay and land at Wangoolba Creek on Fraser Island – right amongst the action! With just a short drive to Central Station and Fraser’s amazing lakes, you waste no time travelling and get more time to explore! While on the barge, keep your eyes open for whales, dugong, turtles and dolphins…

We care about the environment

By travelling with Beaches, you are benefiting the environment through:

• Allowing for recycling and removal of rubbish from Fraser Island
• Protecting our waterways from  harmful chemicals
• Managing waste to deter and protect native dingos
• Protecting native bird life by using appropriate roadways
• Using solar powered lighting and facilities

Insurance – Vehicle, Fraser Island

Each vehicle is covered by comprehensive insurance. Within the $60 local charges that guests are required to pay, an insurance excess reduction fee is included which will reduce vehicle insurance excess from $5000 to $2500.

Bond – Fraser Island

A bond of $750 must be paid by the group travelling in a vehicle. This bond is only required for the Fraser Island Self Drive Safari.

Cancellation Policy

• Accommodation cancellations made less than 72 hours prior to arrival will result in a cancellation fee equal to one (1) night’s accommodation charge per person cancelled.
• Fraser Safari cancellations made less than 72 hours prior to arrival will result in a cancellation fee of 100% of the retail cost of the Safari Tour per person cancelled.
• Cancellations made less than 21 days prior to arrival may result in a complete forfeiture of some or all of the package components.
• Beaches Backpackers reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a Fraser Safari departure subject to unsafe weather conditions or passenger numbers.
• Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions will incur a $25 administration fee unless rescheduled.
• Beaches reserves the right to substitute sailing vessels.