Places to explore on the Cooloola Coast

Rainbow Beach sits at a hinge in the coastline. To the south runs the Cooloola sand mass, a landscape of high dunes, perched lakes and rainforest that stretches about 70 kilometres to Noosa. To the north the coast narrows into the long sand spit of Inskip Point, and beyond it lies K’gari. To the west the calm waters of Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait offer a completely different coast of mangroves, sandbanks and dolphins.

This hub gathers our guides to each of these places. Use the map to see where they are, then read the guide for access, walks, safety and history.

In and around town

Rainbow Beach town and history: how a mineral sands mining camp became a beach town, gazetted in 1969, and what remains of that history today.

The coloured sands: the cliffs that gave the town its name. Walk two kilometres south from the surf club at low tide to see bands of red, ochre and cream rising as high as 80 metres.

Carlo Sandblow: a short forest walk from the edge of town leads to this vast open dune, named after a sailor on Captain Cook’s 1770 voyage. It is the best sunset spot on the coast.

South along the Cooloola Coast

Double Island Point: a headland about 30 kilometres south of town by beach, with a lighthouse first lit on 11 September 1884, a sheltered lagoon and a famous right-hand point break.

Cooloola, Lake Poona and Freshwater: the national park that surrounds the town, with rainforest on ancient dunes, tea-coloured perched lakes, forest camping and the 102-kilometre Cooloola Great Walk.

Beach driving and Mudlo Rocks: practical advice on permits, tides and the rocky headlands that make the drive south a test for even experienced drivers.

North to Inskip and K’gari

Inskip Point: a sand spit with beach camping among the casuarinas and the vehicle barge to K’gari. It is also an area where sudden sand collapses have occurred, so read the safety notes.

K’gari (formerly Fraser Island): the world’s largest sand island, World Heritage-listed since 1992 and officially restored to its Butchulla name in 2023. It is home to freshwater lakes, rainforest growing in sand, 75 Mile Beach and the wreck of the SS Maheno.

West to the Great Sandy Strait

Tin Can Bay: a relaxed fishing and boating town on a sheltered inlet, best known for the wild Australian humpback dolphins that visit its foreshore in the mornings.

How the places fit together

If you have a day, walk to Carlo Sandblow at sunrise, spend the morning on the beach and visit the coloured sands at low tide, then drive to Tin Can Bay for the afternoon. With two days, add a guided 4WD tour or your own beach drive to Double Island Point. With three or more, cross to K’gari or camp at Inskip Point.

Respecting Country

The Cooloola Coast is Kabi Kabi Country, and K’gari is the Country of the Butchulla people. Many places here, including lakes, dunes and headlands, are culturally significant. Stay on marked tracks, leave everything as you found it, and take the chance to learn from First Nations-guided experiences where they are offered.

Before you go

Conditions on this coast change quickly. Beaches erode, tracks close after storms and fire, and parts of Inskip Point have been closed after sand collapses. Always check QPWS park alerts and buy any vehicle access or camping permits before you set out. Our travel guide covers getting there, weather and where to stay.