Barges depart from River Heads to Kingfisher or Wangoolba Creek. Wangoolba is the best road to east side of the island. It is essential to have 4WD with high clearance. Buy a map and a tyre pressure gauge before departure. From River heads to Orchid Beach takes about 3 hours. Barge departures are limited and need to be coordinated with tides. We recommend  booking the barge in advance 

If flying into  Hervey Bay you may need to spend the night.  Accommodation in Hervey Bay

Alternatively (recommended) consider flying to Sunshine Coast, meeting a 4WD company at airport and driving to Rainbow Beach and then driving up eastern beach.The Rainbow Beach barge runs continuously all day, This is the easiest route to Orchid Beach. Only travel in daylight within 3 hrs of low tide, and as close to low tide as possible.

Tides at Waddy Point
(locate Waddy Point on Map north end K’gari)

Visitors permits are essential and can be purchased at River Heads barge or online.
For first time visitors the National Parks links below are worth looking at.