Drive safely

• K'gariis only suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles with low range capacity.
• All-wheel drive vehicles are not recommended.
• A lower tyre pressure has been shown to offer greater traction in sand (check your vehicle manufacturer specifications for details).
• Ensure all four tyres are deflated to the same level.
• Reinflate tyres as soon as possible and disengage 4WD on hard surfaces.
• Select low gears for soft, dry sand and avoid sharp turns and sudden braking.
• Travel at low tide, or within two hours either side of low tide on firmer sand.
• Use well-established tracks and drive to suit the conditions.
• All Queensland road rules apply, observe speed limits. Police patrol at anytime.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Avoid driving at night as hazards are impossible to see.

Beach driving

• Beach traffic is two-way, so keep left.
• Indicate only when overtaking or turning out of the traffic stream.
• Stay alert for hazards such as deep washouts, debris or wildlife. Hitting hazards at speed damages your vehicle, can cause spinal injuries and has caused rollovers and fatal crashes.
• Keep at least three car lengths from the car in front.
• Speed signs are on the Eastern beach.
• Take time to get to know your vehicle and how it handles in the sand.
• Take care crossing creeks - slow down. Check the depth if unsure, and don't stop or change gears while crossing.
• Stay well clear of incoming waves.
• Keep your speed down when passing people or parked vehicles on the beach.
• Park at 90 degrees to the traffic flow on the upper beach.
• Beware of aircraft landing on the beach, particularly at low tide. Keep clear.
• Never drive or park on sand dunesit's illegal, damages the dune plants and harms any birds nesting there.
• Most of the western beach is a no-vehicle zone. This is for safety, as the beach often has extremely soft weed patches and shifting estuaries. Vehicles can sink like they do in quicksand. Recovery is difficult.
• If driving onto the western beach in the permitted areas, try to go with another vehicle.

Inland tracks

• Inland tracks are usually single lane and can be busy.
• Drive slowly as they can be rough and bumpy.
• Never drive off the track use passing bays to let others pass.
• Let the closer vehicle to the passing bay manoeuvre safely off the track.
• It is best to pull into a bay to give way to larger vehicles, those towing trailers or coming down hills.

Right of Way

• Give way to wildlife.
• Drive around (not through) flocks of birds as theyare resting after long, exhausting migration flights.
• Give way to pedestrians.
• Give way to heavy vehicles.
• Watch out for people fishing and children playing on the beach. Drive around them carefully and slowly.

Lighten your load

• Remove any unwanted fittings or miscellaneous items from vehicles. The lighter the vehicle, the less likely it will get bogged.
• Store gear evenly, putting the heavier objects at the bottom.

Moresand drivingtips...

Note: USC staff and students need tocompletesafe driving training before travelling to K'gari-Fraser Island on university business. See the USC Policy page.