FAQ - 4WD & Camper hire
What is included in the vehicle hire?
Your 4Wd hire includes:
- Vehicle hire plus essential recovery equipment
-
Comprehensive 3rd Party Insurance -
Safety training + 4WD “how to” information -
Discovery App providing safety information, tide times, local information, language section and more -
Extended phone support for the duration of your time on Fraser Island
Is there an age restriction for hiring a 4WD from Discovery?
All drivers must be over 25 and less than 75 years of age.
What kind of drivers licence do I need?
All drivers of the vehicle must hold a current drivers licence and have had that licence for more than two years
Where do we collect or drop-off our 4WD vehicle?
Rainbow Beach Depot: 20 Spectrum St, Rainbow Beach QLD 4581
Is there a minimum period for hiring a vehicle?
1 day is the minimum 4WD hire period.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Any cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to your hire date. Cancellations must be received in writing (email, letter or text) and confirmation from us of receipt of your cancellation is proof of your cancellation request. A cancellation fee of up to but not more than the standard $100 deposit may be incurred if the booking is cancelled within 48 hours of the hire date. If the cancellation is due to poor weather, the deposit can be held over for a rescheduled booking.
Will I need to pay a bond to hire a 4WD?
Yes. We require a credit card refundable security bond of $1500 for every vehicle hired. Bond refunds are completed up to 48 hours after the vehicle is returned in the hired condition and a mechanical check has been completed.
Will I need to organise a camping or vehicle permit for Fraser Island?
It is the customers responsibility to organise the Vehicle Access Permit for the Island as this is not included in the hire cost.
This can be done locally at the Manta Ray Barge Office in Rainbow Beach.
Do I need to bring my own camping equipment?
You can bring your own camping equipment or hire equipment from Discovery. Our camping equipment includes table, esky, chair, tents, gas cookers, utensils, water bottle, sleeping bags, pots and plates.
I don’t want to camp, are there any other accommodation options on Fraser?
Yes. There are several 3-5 star accommodation facilities available on Fraser Island, ranging from hotels to apartments. You can also opt to hire a fully loaded off-road camper trailer which included generators, fridge, freezers and more.
How do I get to Fraser Island?
You need to take a barge or ferry to get to Fraser Island. Barge services to the island operate daily, generally between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm depending on the tides. Travel time from Inskip Point to Fraser Island is less than 10 minutes.
How much will the barge to Fraser Island cost?
For a standard vehicle with up to 4 passengers, the barge will cost between $120 - $200 for a return fare.
Does 4WD hire include food and fuel?
You will receive your vehicle with a full tank of fuel at the beginning of hire. You must return it with a full tank of fuel at the end of your trip. Failure to do so will incur an additional fee of $4 per litre.
Food is not included in vehicle hire. While you can purchase food on Fraser Island, supermarkets are limited and more costly than the mainland, so it’s a good idea to stock up on food supplies before you arrive on Fraser Island.
Can I drive on the beach?
Absolutely! Our vehicles are designed to take on Fraser Island’s sandy terrain and following a safety briefing, you will be able to drive on the beach.
What should I be aware of when driving on a beach or on soft sand?
Generally, as long as the sand is moist, you are safe. Traction and floation are not an issue. Only when the sand has dried to a fine consistency and is even difficult to walk on - like on most beaches - will you have a hard time driving on it, 4WD or not.
Small, light 4WD vehicles do best on soft sand. Very light vehicles with very big floatation tires will even drive without trouble in soft sand in 2WD.
A full information brief will be provided to all hirers. This contains important information about beach driving, soft sand, beach safety and tide times.
Will I be provided with any safety training/safe driving tips before driving on Fraser Island?
Yes. It is compulsory for all drivers to attend a safety briefing before hiring and driving one of our 4WD vehicles. This ensures you are aware of the local conditions and environmental hazards in the region.
Do you provide a type pressure gauge, compressor and recovery kit?
Due to health and safety we are legally not able to provide customers with recovery kits on hire vehicles.