How much does the Fraser Island barge from Rainbow Beach cost?

The Fraser Island barge from Rainbow Beach is quicker, cheaper and more convenient than the ferry from Hervey Bay. The Manta Ray barge costs $130 return, departing from Inskip Point.

Most tourists wanting to visit Fraser Island/ K’gari do the 290km Brisbane to Hervey Bay drive first. From there, they take the Fraser Island ferry from River Heads to either Wanggoolba Creek or the Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Want someone else to drive? Book a one day Fraser Island tour from Rainbow Beach here…

But there is another way to get to Fraser Island. Rainbow Beach lies to the south of the island, and several Fraser Island 4WD tours depart from there. For independent drivers planning to take a self-guided 4WD trip around Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach is arguably a better option. Especially given the cheap accommodation at the two Rainbow Beach holiday parks.

Fraser Island Barge: Rainbow Beach from Brisbane

For a start, it’s closer to Queensland capital Brisbane. The Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge departs from Inskip Point, which is 249km north of Brisbane.

Secondly, the Manta Ray barge crossing doesn’t take as long. Inskip Point is closer to Fraser Island than River Heads, and the Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge takes roughly ten minutes to cross.

Perhaps most importantly, there are more regular departures from Rainbow Beach. From Hervey Bay, you really need to plan the journey and get there on time as there are limited departures throughout the day.

Fraser Island barge cost & crossing times

From Rainbow Beach, there are two barges making continuous crossings throughout the day. They start at 6am from Inskip Point, and finish with the 5.15pm crossing from Fraser Island.

This gives plenty of flexibility. Essentially, you can just rock up at Inskip Point and get on the next available Manta Ray barge service. In fact, you can’t book in advance – tickets aren’t bookable online. You just pay when you arrive. You will, however, need to arrange your Fraser Island vehicle access permit in advance.

Manta Ray Barge price from Inskip Point

The final reason to take the Fraser Island barge from Rainbow Beach, rather than the ferry from Hervey Bay, is that it’s considerably cheaper. From Hervey Bay, it’ll cost you at least $190 to get your 4WD there and back. The Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge costs just $130 return. This price includes more passengers.

So taking the Fraser Island barge from Rainbow Beach is quicker, cheaper and more convenient than going from Hervey Bay. And that gives you more time to enjoy Fraser Island’s highlights, such as the Maheno Shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach, Central Station and Lake McKenzie. If planning a trip, the Fraser Island weather tends to be best outside the summer months. It’s also best to book your Fraser Island campgrounds in advance.

Several Fraser Island tours leave from Rainbow Beach. Choose between a one day Fraser Island coach tour, a two day bus trip or a three day tagalong trip where you drive your own 4WD vehicle, following a guide car.

You can also plump for a two hour surfing lesson, kayaking with dolphins or stand-up paddleboarding combined with a 4WD tour down the beach.

Rainbow Beach accommodation picks include backpacker-targeted Pippies Beach House, the considerably more swish Plantation Resort and the Ocean Palms Resort, which has balconies with ocean views.

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