Vehicle access permits

A vehicle access permit must be obtained before driving on Bribie Island, K'gari (Fraser Island), Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), Cooloola and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) recreation areas—fees apply.

All vehicles must be registered and have a valid permit. You must be able to produce a copy of your permit (can be just a digital copy on a phone or tablet) for inspection if requested by an authorised officer.

Bookings

Ensure you obtain your permit before entering a recreation area.

For Bribie Island, K’gari and Cooloola recreation areas:

• Book online using the Queensland National Parks Booking Service
• Book over-the-counter
• If you cannot book through one of these channels, phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mobile phone charges may apply.

See how to purchase a vehicle access permit for details on how to book online.

Book now

For permits to drive or camp in the Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) Recreation Area visit the Mulgumpin Camping website.

For permits to drive or camp in the Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) Recreation Area visit the Minjerribah Camping website.

For enquiries relating to camping and permitting at Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) or Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) visit the Minjerribah Camping website or the Mulgumpin Camping website.

Exemption from vehicle access permit fees

Residents, landholders, visiting close relatives of residents, educational groups and workers who need to travel through a recreation area may qualify for a fee exemption.

Vehicle access permits are not required for:

• emergency vehicles
• Commonwealth, State and Local government vehicles (when used for official purposes)
• vehicles authorised under a commercial activity permit or agreement
• Inskip Peninsula or Green Island recreation areas.

Applicants must meet eligibility criteria. Refer to the Fee exemptions for vehicle access permits on QPWS managed recreation areas operational policy for information on eligibility criteria requirements.

How to apply for an exemption

You can apply for a vehicle permit exemption for Bribie Island, Cooloola, and K’gari (Fraser Island) recreation areas:

• apply online
• by emailing your request to qpws@des.qld.gov.au
• at a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) over-the-counter booking office (only QPWS offices can issue an exemption)

Please note: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will endeavour to review vehicle access permit fee exemption applications within 20 business days of receipt of a valid application.

For Minjerribah Recreation Area, you can apply online or phone (07) 3409 9668.

For Moreton Island Recreation Area (Mulgumpin), you can apply by email to exemptvaps@mulgumpincamping.net.au.

View the user guide – Vehicle Access Permit fee exemption (PDF, 1.2MB) .

Cooloola Recreation Area—Rainbow Beach residents

Rainbow Beach residents may apply for a permit fee exemption for Cooloola Recreation Area to travel through the recreation area to businesses and services in Tewantin. This fee exemption applies as Rainbow Beach residents may traverse the recreation area to obtain a reasonable time advantage travelling to a major shopping and business centre, instead of using an alternative route.

Only Rainbow Beach residents are eligible to apply.

Applications for a vehicle access permit fee exemption must be supported by documents showing the applicant’s main place of residence and vehicle registration. Fee exemptions are not automatically renewed, so residents holding an annual permit must apply for a fee exemption each year.

Read the frequently asked questions about vehicle permit fee exemptions for Rainbow Beach residents.

Displaying your vehicle access permit

A vehicle access permit must be displayed on your vehicle when driving in the Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) or Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) recreation areas. Visit the Minjerribah Camping or Mulgumpin Camping websites for more information on vehicle access permit requirements.

Vehicle permits are no longer required to be displayed in Bribie Island, Cooloola and K’gari recreation areas due to the presence of automatic number plate recognition system cameras. But, you must still be able to produce a copy of your permit (which can be just a digital copy on a phone or tablet) for inspection if requested by an authorised officer.

Hiring a vehicle or purchasing a vehicle with a vehicle access permit attached

When hiring a vehicle that will be accessing Bribie Island, Cooloola, K’gari, Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) or Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) recreation areas, you must obtain a vehicle access permit in your name, with the registration number of the hire vehicle, to cover the period the vehicle will be in the recreation area.

Permits are not transferrable. For example, if you have recently purchased a four-wheel drive that has a vehicle access permit attached to its registration, you cannot use that permit. You must purchase your own access permit for that vehicle – under your name.

24hr surveillance cameras in use

All vehicles entering and exiting the recreation areas may have their vehicle number plates recorded and those details matched against the booking service. Those found entering without a valid vehicle access permit will be issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) and fined $483.

This amount increases each financial year from 1 July. To avoid the fine, please ensure you purchase a vehicle access permit before entering any of the recreation areas.

Find out more about Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras – FAQs (PDF, 178.6KB)

All camera footage obtained is stored securely and only viewed and accessed by authorised persons. In most cases, the footage is retained for 30–90 days, unless it is required for official purposes, or as a retained public record. (This is in accordance with the Public Records Act 2002). Find out more about our privacy and security practices.

Related information

• User guide – Vehicle Access Permit fee Exemption (PDF, 1.2MB)