Last weekend spent cleaning Up K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island) with 4WD Queensland, was nothing short of spectacular- combining our passion for four-wheel driving with a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of this pristine island. As returning platinum sponsors, Club 4X4 Insurance was thrilled to once again support and participate in this impactful event. We've only been back for a couple of days and our team is already looking forward to the 2025 clean-up!
What is the K'Gari Clean Up?
The event is held annually over a weekend with 4WD QLD affiliated club members and event sponsors (like us) volunteering to clean marine debris from this beautiful World Heritage listed island. The event is run in collaboration with Queensland Department of Environment Science (DES), Queensland Parks Wildlife Services (QPWS), Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) and the Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
4WD QLD K’Gari Clean Up does not receive government funding and relies solely on the support of sponsors to ensure the event continues into the future.
For Club 4X4 Insurance, it was a no-brainer to jump on board and support this fantastic event (3 years and counting). We're firm believers that the best bits of Australia are rarely on the main road, and what better way to reinforce that message than to roll up our sleeves and help maintain one of the best 4WD destinations in the country.
A Team Effort for a Cleaner K'Gari
This year, our team of volunteers worked along Orchid Beach, collecting an impressive 45kg of rubbish. Among the debris, we found a high-value tracking beacon which will be refurbished and reused by Tangaroa Blue to track and recover fishing nets and other large marine debris in the ocean... The Tangaroa Blue team owns and maintains the largest marine debris database in the Southern Hemisphere for which they meticulously track and record all the collected rubbish. This information is then used by the government and researchers to inform future environmental policies.
Over the weekend volunteers removed more than 6.5 Tonnes of marine debris from K'Gari's coastline.
After our clean-up was complete, we made sure to take our Next-Gen Fords over as much of the island as we could squeeze in. We tackled the famous Ngkala Rocks, and visited K'Gari icon Sandy Cape, Eli Creek and took a dip in Lake McKenzie.
The weekend concluded with a volunteer thank you dinner on Sunday afternoon, where we celebrated our collective achievements and shared stories of our adventures. The camaraderie and sense of accomplishment were palpable as we reflected on the impact of our efforts. It was a fitting end to a weekend that blended environmental stewardship with our love of the 4WD lifestyle and adventure.
Here's a snapshot of some of our team's favourite memories -
Chris – I loved seeing how passionate the volunteers (a lot of whom are current customers) were about the natural beauty of K'Gari, and how keen they all were to chip in to preserve it for future generations.
Harry - Getting behind the wheel off-road for the first time and experiencing what all our customers do on a regular basis.
Dave - We felt truly welcomed by 4WD QLD members who share our passion for off-road adventures. It was an honour to stand side-by-side with them cleaning one of our nation's greatest treasures.
Gabby - It was great to experience being among our customers while being privileged enough to clean our amazing beaches.
Sarah - Hanging out, beach driving and experiencing what our customers do on a daily basis.
Jesse - Sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows, relaxing and enjoying the company of friends outside the office, all for a good cause.
As we packed away our gear and headed back to the mainland on Monday, we were already looking forward to next year’s event. Sponsoring the K'gari Clean Up is not just about financial support; it’s about being involved in making a difference. We're committed to continuing this tradition and encourage you all to leave every destination and campsite in better condition than you found it.
Got a beach 4WD trip planned?
Make sure your insurance goes there too.