75 Mile Beach Road is an iconic adventure on Fraser Island
Located in Fraser Island, off Australia’s eastern Queensland coast, the 75 Mile Beach Road (also known as Fraser Island Beach Track) is one of Australia's most iconic 4WD adventures. It’s one of the Best Coastal Drives in the World.
Can you drive the 75 Mile Beach Road?
The surface of the road is smooth sand with a few bumps to add to the fun. It’s a 4wd road littered with places of interest to visit along the way. Be careful when driving due to hidden sand humps and dips, and beware of the Dingo's! It’s fun, beautiful and just a bit scary. The sand squeals as you drive over it. The road operates all year round, but drivers have to be aware of the tide and should avoid drive on the beach at high tide. You may not have reception on your phone. Look out for the population of dingoes that can often be found wandering along the shoreline. The going is a little slow in places where there is dry, soft sand however once you're on the flat hard stuff then you can cover some ground.
Is 75 Mile Beach Road challenging?
The drive runs along most of the east coast of Fraser Island. Because it’s classed as a highway, strict road rules apply and there are police present ready to nab those who speed or drink drive. Remember to adhere to the 80km speed limit. You have to be aware of the tide and cannot drive on the beach at high tide or for two hours either side of it. The sand can be hard, soft, dry or wet. The beach itself is not a safe place to swim due to dangerous currents and a large shark population. It's also a landing strip for light aircraft so be sure to take care when you are cruising along the sand in your four wheel drive.
How long is the 75 Mile Beach Road?
It’s a real challenging road and a true test of your vehicle and your stamina. The road got its name when a bloke measured the beach one day and found out that it was 75 miles (120km) long. Due to the constant movement of sea and sand, it’s not always exactly 75 miles long and the width changes dramatically. The hard packed sand below the high tide mark can make for quite smooth driving, but care must be taken with speed; there are many deep wash outs and you can suddenly find yourself driving vertically into one if you're going too fast. Aircrafts often land on the beach and if you can afford it, this mode of travel is a great way to see the entire island in a short space of time, with the obligatory beach landing, of course. Be sure to take care when you are cruising along the sand in your four wheel drive.
Pic: Andrew McDaniel