Travel to and from the island involves a combination of tides, vehicle barges and access points.
You will need a 4WD.
These can be hired from Brisbane, Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach. A small 4wd may be $130+ per day. Note only some companies cover for insurance to Orchid Beach. We suggest booking early and using ouir suggested hire companies.
Access points
There are two vehicle barge access points to the island....from the west side via Hervey Bay or from south via Gympie and Rainbow Beach.
Hervey Bay can be accessed by air. This may be a better option if you have no car on your trip however the Hervey Bay barge takes 45 mins and only runs 3 times a day.
To connect with the barge at River Heads and catch the tide you may need to arrive in Hervey Bay the day prior to have time to get 4WD, supplies etc. See Barge Info.
Rainbow Beach offers more flexible access by barge as it takes only 15 mins and operates continuously in daylight hours, but you need to get to Rainbow Beach. If you have a car on your trip this is a preferable option...i.e.: you can leave your car at Rainbow Beach and hire 4wd from there. See Barge Info.
Use tabs above for detailed information on accessibility from each direction.
4wd Hire Hervey Bay
One company in Hervey Bay that will cover your 4wd for insurance to Orchid Beach is Safari 4WD Hire . If you have some 4wd experience, Fraser Magic 4WD hire also may cover your insurance to Orchid Beach.
4wd Hire Rainbow Beach (via Gympie)
We recommend Adventure Centre or Safari 4WD Hire . To get to Rainbow Beach from Brisbane/Hervey Bay/Noosa if need be you can get cheap 2wd car from Aussie Bargain Car Rentals.
4wd Hire Brisbane
You can get 4WD hire with insurance cover from coastal4wdhire
(call Tony on 0412 115052). Or Britz Brisbane.
Tides
Beach travel is limited to within 3 hrs of low tide and daylight hours. In winter months sunset is from 5 > 5.30 pm and in summer 6.30 > 7pm. Do not think you can bend these rules. Driving at high tide or in the dark is madness and dangerous. For tides see Tides at Waddy Point. For first time visitors we recommend you read Driving Tips.
Permits
All visitors need a permit to travel on the island. These can be purchased in person at Rainbow Beach or at the barge at Hervey Bay or at Visitors Permits online.
Phones
Note only some mobile providers have coverage on the island. Public phones are at Eurong, Happy Valley, Cathedrals.
Supplies
Local shop at Orchid Beach has basic supplies but no fresh fruit or veg. Suggest taking cheap polystyrene box with ice for perishables...it’s only a few hours trip.
Flying to Fraser Fraser 0741 253 600. Scheduled flight at 7.30 am Marochydore to Eurong and returns at between 3-4pm.
4WD hire is available at Eurong (about 1 hr to Orchid beach). Air Fraser hire out 4WD.
Bed linen
We do not provide linen but we can give you a contact for local hire.
Costs
Note that despite the costs of 4wd, permit and barge, once you get to Orchid Beach there’s nowhere to spend anything more!
Interstate and overseas travellers
We are cautious to accept overseas and interstate bookings until our guests are fully aware of how will they get there....and back.
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