Manta Ray Barge is a locally owned Fraser Island Barge service.
*Important update due to the COVID-19 outbreak as of the 28th March*
FRASER ISLAND IS CLOSED TO ALL VISITORS AS OF 26TH OF MARCH.
Please see email below sent to Manta Ray Barge 28th March
If a resident has a rate notice that identifies them as the property owner on the island in conjunction with photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, then there is NO change to movements on the island or to the mainland. The exception being that the national recommendation is to limit, ALL non-essential travel across the country and Fraser Island is NO different.
If a contractor needs to enter the island to conduct maintenance on a facility or deliver goods or services to residents, then providing they can demonstrate the need is essential to the Barge operator and or police if asked then there is no issue. If, however someone enters the island without a valid reason then appropriate enforcement action would need to be undertaken by Police.
Examples:
- A caretaker lives on the island to maintain a business or property; that’s fine they live on the island and we presume that that they would have some form of employment contract stating that.
- A contractor needs to deliver stores; that’s fine at this stage if they deliver the stores and leave.
- A person owns an investment property on the island; if they have a rate notice they are the legal owner of the property and can stay at the property, bearing in mind this does not comply with “non–essential” travel rules.
- A resident requires to go off island for shopping (resupply) or needs to attend medical appointments; this is fine as per normal.
- A person has rented their property out to a holiday maker on the island or residents allow visitors to attend their property; you can NOT do this as this as these persons are not permanent residents, and all non-essential travel to the island has ceased.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and we urge everyone to abide by the directions coming from the National Cabinet and State Government.
We thank everyone for their continued support and co-operation during these difficult times.
Brendan Guy
Disaster Planning Coordinator
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Manta Ray BARGE will be operational from 6:00am on 28-03-20 and 29-03-20 with a finish time no later than 5.00pm to evacuate all visitors off the Island.
Manta Ray Barge will run one Barge service every hour during the operational hours listed below.
Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st 6:00am – 9:00am Departing times below
Departing Inskip Point – 6:00am
Departing Fraser Island – 6:10am
Departing Inskip Point – 7:00am
Departing Fraser Island – 7.10am
Departing Inskip Point – 8:00am
Departing Fraser Island – 8:10am
Departing Inskip Point – 9:00am
Departing Fraser Island – 9:10am
Wednesday 1st 6:00am – 11:00am * Departing Inskip Point on the top of the hour each hour and Departing Fraser Island 10 minutes passed the hour each hour, till 11:10am (eg. above )
Thursday 2nd 7:00am – 12:00pm *Departing Inskip Point on the top of the hour each hour and Departing Fraser Island 10 minutes passed the hour each hour, till 12:10pm
Friday 3rd 7:30am – 12:30pm *Departing Inskip Point 30 minutes passed the top of the hour each hour and Departing Fraser Island 40 minutes passed the top of the hour each hour, till 12:40pm
Saturday 4th 8:30am – 1:30pm *Departing Inskip Point 30 minutes passed the top of the hour each hour and Departing Fraser Island 40 minutes passed the top of the hour each hour, till 1:40pm
Sunday 5th 9:00am – 3:00pm *Departing Inskip Point on the top of the hour each hour and Departing Fraser Island 10 minutes passed the hour each hour, till 3:10pm
This is evolving weekly, therefore Manta Ray Barge Operational times will be uploaded weekly
Above all please look after each other and stay home this can not be stressed enough, if we all stay home we will be back to holidaying sooner. Manta Ray Barge wishes everyone all the best and stay safe
If you need to call the office due to pre-payments please be patient, don’t leave a message as there are too many, please just keep trying me, my hours will be 8am til 2pm Monday to Friday during these extraordinary times, thank you for patient.
###CASH ONLY ON BARGE AS OF 23RD MARCH AND STAY IN YOUR CAR####
***********************************************************************************************************
The trip to Fraser Island from Inskip Point Rainbow Beach takes approximately 10 minutes and with 2-3 barges operating during peak seasons.
Due the the COVID-19 the below times may vary and will be updated as Government guidelines change
Traveling to Fraser Island for Easter Holidays or ANZAC Long weekend, then now is the time to call the office and get your Barge ticket, vehicle permit & camping pre-paid, don’t be the family sitting in the car park, be the family sitting in the tube, floating down Eli, let the office get you there sooner and stress free.
April 2020 Easter Operating Hours
9th April 6am – 5.00pm
10th April 5am – 5.00pm
11th April 5am – 5.00pm
Manta Ray Barge & Permit Office is open 7 days a week.
Our Office is the first point of contact when driving into Rainbow beach, just past the 60km sign on the left hand side of the road. 66 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach Qld 4581.
Manta Ray Barge & Permit Office Hours – from 7.00 am – 3.00 pm weekdays & 6.00 am – 3.00 pm Weekends
The Manta Ray Fraser Island Barge service is a small locally owned and independent Australian company and believe every Australian and also the overseas visitor should be able to enjoy the Fraser Island experience.
Approaching peak seasons it is highly recommended to purchase barge tickets and permits in advance especially camping permits.
Please contact our office on 07 5486 3935 and purchase your tickets and permits in advance and we can send them out to you.