Thread: New Fraser island backpacker 4wd rules

Most rules thought up are just knee jerk reactions made up to make it look like they are doing something.
If people have a international liecense they are entitled to drive here, mess around with the rules and you will destroy the tourist industry. We have to keep in step with the rest of the world. I have driven in 25 countries on my Aust/inernational liecense and the last thing I would want to do is have do more paper work. There is not even any need to know the local road rules when you come here, knowing you need a special liecense is just something else you wouldent know.
It was a bad crash that they had, but there are bad crashes on the road every day.
Driver attitude is more important that most of the rules they keep changing.

I've never been to Fraser Island, so can't really pass that much comment. But 2 things struck me ... firstly, statistically, how many accidents have there been there in the past say, 10 odd years, & have those accidents involved predominately tourists from other countries, or Aussies holidaying there as well?

Secondly, do they have reputable tour operators who take people driving on the beach?

Thirdly, would it be a workable scenario to legislate that foreign tourists can only drive on the beach if they are taken by a reputable tour guide? i.e. they are not permitted to hire vehicles, but are permitted to join a tour guide. It will stuff the hire vehicle's business, though they could still hire out to locals etc, and it would boost the tour guide proprietors. For an extra fee, the proprietors could allow the foreigner's to drive under their instruction maybe. Yes, it will be more expensive, but I think it's expected you are to pay more for such "outings" in a foreign country.

Well I think there's too many tourist dollars involved to stop backpackers. The family and I went to Fraser a few times every year in the 80s and 90s but I got to be a little nervous seeing approaching troopies, speeding, overloaded and driven by a drunken scandinavian thinking he or she's a rally driver. The thought of a head on wasn't pleasant. Been going to Moreton ever since. To me the scariest thing about that accident is that the troopie was heading north and swerved to miss a wave, where do you go if you're heading south and that thing is approaching at speed on the "wrong side of the road"?

This came up in the news again today and I had a thought...

Does the ban on luggage on the roof also include roof top tents? That will upset a lot of people.

What about those who have Oz tents which can't fit inside and have to be on the roof? Fit some skateboard wheels and drag it behind?

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by 300+

This came up in the news again today and I had a thought...

Does the ban on luggage on the roof also include roof top tents? That will upset a lot of people.

What about those who have Oz tents which can't fit inside and have to be on the roof? Fit some skateboard wheels and drag it behind?

Cheers, Steve

Good point and what about Roof rack mounted awnings, fishing rods, shade shelters etc. Surely they all count as luggage?

Bloody stupid law if you ask me! But what can you expect from a State Government like ours.

What about a 4x4s without low-range??? (Auto gearboxes do a very good job of compensating for a lack of low-range...)

The only 4x4s I can think of without low range are soft-roaders anyway (I'm sure someone will enlighten me if there are other, serious ones).

Freelanders!

The beach is where most soft-roaders are taken (aside from school and shopping centres) so I'm not sure a limitation on Low Range only would be all that effective.