Company: Palace Backpackers on Fraser Island Australia

Name: Tracy Foley
Name of the outfitter: Palace Backpackers
Type of Tour: Fraser Island Independent 4×4 Trip
High end tour, mid-range, or budget? Budget

Where did you go? How many days? What was the number of people?
This was part of a Whitsundays/Fraser/Base accomodation package, however, this segment can be done alone. The Fraser part of the trip included two nights in the Palace Backpackers in Hervey Bay and two nights camping on Fraser Island. The people in charge of the tour took everyone that had booked onto the tour and split them into two groups to go to the island. Each group got a 4×4 truck, a map, instructions, 3 tents, and some storage bins. After the informational video we were on our own. We had to go the super market and buy supplies before heading over to Fraser Island via ferry. On Fraser Island we drove along the beach and sand trails to some of the hotspots such as Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek and Lake Wabby.

Recommend this company?
No

Why or why not?
Fraser Island was fantastic, but 3 days is an awfully short time to see all the sights with a group of strangers. A lot of time was wasted squabbling over what time to go where and where to camp, etc. I think a longer time with friends, or the same amount of time with a guide, would be a better way to see the island.

What’s one piece of advice for going on an adventure?
Pack light, the trucks are small. All you really need is a good, tight, case for your camera (silica sand is VERY bad for cameras!!), your swim suit, a change of clothes, and your sleeping gear, as there are no public shower/toilet facilities on the island. (Actually, we did find one toilet, but it was filled with spiders…)

What was your guide like? What was his name?
This tour was self-guided.

What was your opinion of the tour company?
Middle of the road