About Cooloola Recreation Area Park alerts
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About Cooloola Recreation Area
there and getting around
Cooloola is widely accessible by walking, canoeing, boating or four-wheel-drive vehicle. Photo: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government
The Cooloola sandmass, one of the largest accumulations of sand built up over the past 500,000 years, is best appreciated by walking or driving. Photo: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government
Carlo Sandblow is an easily accessible, high vantage point on the Cooloola sandmass offering great views of Double Island Point. Photos: Marc Dargusch, Queensland Government
- Cooloola and Inskip recreation areas discovery guide
- Cooloola Recreation Area map
- Freshwater camping area map
- Noosa River map
- Fig Tree Point camping and day-use area map
- Harry's camping and day-use area map
Cooloola lies between the coastal towns of Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach. Noosa Heads is about 155km (about a 3hr drive) and Rainbow Beach is about 240km (about a 3hr drive) north of Brisbane. Access by conventional vehicles (two-wheel drives) to Cooloola is limited to the outer extremities. The best way to see Cooloola is by walking or four-wheel-driving. Vehicle access permits (VAPs) are required when traversing beaches and some inland tracks within the Cooloola Recreation Area.
Two-wheel-drive (2WD) access
Conventional or 2WD vehicles can access Elanda Point, just north of Boreen Point, and Bymien picnic area from Rainbow Beach Road. For Bymien, turn off 4km south of Rainbow Beach, onto 3km of unsealed road. The 16km sand road from Bymien to Freshwater camping and day-use areas, and beyond to Teewah Beach, is 4WD only. Inland tracks are not suitable for caravans. Camper trailers must have good clearance.
- Check track conditions before going.
Four-wheel-drive (4WD) access
Cooloola’s sand tracks are rough, and are suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles only. All vehicles must be registered and have a valid Cooloola Recreation Area vehicle access permit (VAP) displayed on their windscreen when traversing designated tracks and beach areas.
- See Cooloola Recreation Area map.
- Buy a vehicle access permit online.
- If unable to book online, see camping bookings for other options.
- How to request transfer or replacement of a vehicle access permit.
Coastal areas
Beach access is possible from Rainbow Beach or Tewantin (near Noosa). Access from Tewantin is across the Noosa River ferry
at the end of Moorindil Street, Tewantin and then via the beach access points at Noosa North Shore. These are called 1st cutting and 3rd cutting.
at the end of Moorindil Street, Tewantin and then via the beach access points at Noosa North Shore. These are called 1st cutting and 3rd cutting.
Vehicles are not permitted on the beach between 1st and 3rd cutting.
You can travel a little way south from 1st cutting, but it is an offense to drive, ride or take animals into the Exclusion Zone near the Noosa River mouth, which protects the habitat of 43 species of local and migratory birds that shelter in the estuary. This local government-regulated Exclusion Zone prohibits all motorized vehicles—4WDs, quad bikes, trail bikes—and domestic animals including dogs, cats, and horses. Rangers patrol regularly and penalties apply for non-compliance.
You can travel north from 3rd cutting along Teewah Beach to Freshwater, Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach.
Take care! Mudlo Rocks (in front of Rainbow Beach township) and the ongoing erosion to the sand cliffs between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point may impede travel.
- Check beach conditions before going.
Inland tracks
Cooloola Way, another access road into Cooloola, links Rainbow Beach Road with Kin Kin-Wolvi Road. Some sections may be impassable after wet weather. Check local conditions before traversing this council-maintained road. Check track conditions before going.
River access
Commercial boat tours, up the Noosa River, operate frequently from Noosa and Tewantin.
Canoes, kayaks and small power boats can be hired from Boreen Point and Elanda Point private camping area. Power boats can be launched from the boat ramp at Boreen Point. Canoe and kayak launching facilities are only available at Elanda Point and Harry's camping and day-use areas.
Wheelchair accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible facilities are available at Freshwater camping and day-use areas, Bymien picnic area, Fig Tree Point and Harrys camping and day-use areas.
Park features
The Noosa River's excellent water quality is largely due to the protection of the upper catchment and provides great low-key camping experiences. Photo: Above Photography
Mirror-image surface reflections at The Narrows, on the upper Noosa River. Photo: Robert Cameron, Queensland Government
Sand, wind, and water have sculpted a varied landscape at Cooloola, the largest remnant of coastal vegetation on the southern Queensland's mainland. High sand dunes, coloured sand cliffs, sweeping beaches, sand blows, freshwater lakes, tall forests, paperbark swamps and wildflower heath make this a spectacular part of the Cooloola Recreation Area in the Great Sandy National Park.
Cooloola is a refuge for plants and animals whose habitats have dwindled with coastal development. Some of the animals living here, such as the Cooloola acid frogs and ground parrot, are rare or threatened with extinction. The park also has one of the few remaining emu populations in coastal Queensland.
The scenic waterways of the upper Noosa River and its tributaries form part of the Noosa River catchment with two-thirds of this catchment being protected within the national park. The dark tannin-stained waters offer spectacular reflections of the twisted paperbarks and bloodwoods that line the riverbanks. The surrounding wetlands of the upper Noosa River also provide extensive nurseries for juvenile fish and other aquatic life.
For thousands of years, Cooloola has been a special place for Indigenous people. Through timber-getting, agriculture and sand mining, Cooloola has undergone many changes in the past 150 years. Today, Cooloola protects valuable coastal ecosystem remnants and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Queensland.
- Read more about the nature, culture, and history of Great Sandy National Park.
Camping and accommodation
Change the working week to a walking week and experience bush camping in Cooloola. Photo: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government
Cooloola offers a variety of camping experiences from social and family camping areas to remote bush and river sites, all located in beautiful natural surroundings. Camper numbers in the more remote areas are limited, to provide a low key, high quality camping experience.
Camping permits
Camping permits are required prior to camping at all sites and fees apply. Capacity is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment during peak periods. Rangers may visit camps during the day to check permits and answer questions.
- Find out more about camping in Cooloola Recreation Area (including maps).
- Read things to know before you go for information about essentials to bring with you when camping in the Cooloola Recreation Area.
- Book a campsite online.
- If unable to book online, see camping bookings for other options.
- Always check conditions just before heading off.
Camping permits for special groups
Certain groups may be able to request a special account—group account, school account or commercial operator account—for booking camping.
Also see: Permits for special group accounts
Other organized groups
If you are planning an organized use of a QPWS-managed area contact your local QPWS office to discuss your proposal.
- Organised event permits may be required for weddings and large, organized group activities, such as school excursions or adventure training.
- Maximum group sizes and other conditions may apply depending on the location you wish to use and the type of activity you are planning.
- It is recommended that group leaders view the Teachers' and group leaders' package for planning hints and safety information.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Rainbow Beach, Tewantin and Noosa. Private camping areas are located at Elanda Point and Boreen Point. For more information see tourism information.
Things to do
Enjoy a large range of bushwalking opportunities from short 200m walks to the 102 km Cooloola Great Walk, a five-day long distance walk. Photo: Robert Ashdown, Queensland Government
The multi-coloured sand swirls are best observed along the eroded sand cliffs between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point. Photo: Briony Masters, Queensland Government
Middle Rocks—the northern boundary of the Cooloola Recreation Area. Vehicle access permits are required past this point. Photos: René Burgess, Queensland Government
A range of minimal impact, nature-based recreational opportunities are available, including canoeing or kayaking on the upper Noosa River. Photo: Colin Lawton, Queensland Government
Enjoy fishing on Teewah Beach. Be aware of recreational fishing rules and stay well out of traffic lanes. Photo: Queensland Government
Cooloola Recreation Area offers many recreational opportunities for visitors to explore and enjoy the natural surrounds.
Walking
Walking is a good way to experience Cooloola. Tracks range from short circuits to overnight hikes and lead to some of the park's best features.
Driving
Roads through Cooloola allow visitors to explore its magnificent natural features. Take time to plan trips and enjoy the area's highlights. Please read driving safety for more information and print off the Driving on Sand safety guide to take with you when you visit. Vehicle access permits are required when traversing designated areas in the Cooloola Recreation Area.
Teewah Beach (vehicle access permits required)
- 40km of open beach
- suitable for 4WD vehicles only
- access to the Teewah Beach camping area, Freshwater camping and day-use areas, and to the base of the headland called Double Island Point*.
* Captain Cook named the headland Double Island Point, because from out at sea it appeared to be two separate islands.
Cooloola Way (no vehicle access permits required)
- 32km of dirt and sand road
- suitable for 4WD vehicles only
- connects Rainbow Beach Road and the Kin Kin-Wolvi Road
- passes through Cooloola's western river catchment, a low area of wet heath plain, comprising of wallum (Banksia aemula) that flowers prolifically in spring, and taller forests with scenic views east over the Cooloola sandmass
- has access points (good for long-distance walking pick-up and drop-off points) to parts of the 49.7km Cooloola Wilderness Trail—a wonderful walk in spring.
Freshwater Road (vehicle access permits required between Bymien and Teewah Beach)
- a rough, 19km sand track
- suitable for 4WD only from Bymien
- passes through some of Cooloola's diverse plant communities—coastal rainforest, tall blackbutt forest, scribbly gum woodland and coastal banksia communities
- continues to the Freshwater camping area and day-use area and ends 500m further at Teewah Beach
- 2WD vehicles can access the first 3km—off Rainbow Beach Road—to a small rainforest patch surrounding the Bymien picnic area, a cool, shaded spot with information displays, toilets and tables (wheelchair-accessible) and a short walk among some of the area’s best representative rainforest species.
Kings Bore circuit (vehicle access permits required)
- 40km circuit—allow at least 3-4hrs.
- sand track with sections of loose sand, washouts, difficult terrain and steep hills
- Requires careful driving and a 4WD with high clearance and low-range capacity.
- Access is off Rainbow Beach Road north of Cooloola Way.
- You must be self-sufficient and carry vehicle recovery gear on this remote, unsigned track.
- The circuit drive is part of Cooloola's fire management access trail network.
- The circuit is made up of four sections: Pettigrew's Road; eastern firebreak; Kings Bore Road; western firebreak.
- Read the map carefully and check conditions before heading off as these trails may be closed due to wildfires in the park.
Harrys Hut Road (no vehicle access permit required)
- 10km road a very rough sand track
- Can be flood damaged by potholes and washouts.
- suitable for high clearance 4WD vehicles
- Ends at Harry's camping and day-use area on the bank of the upper Noosa River.
- Winds through open scribbly gum woodlands, mixed eucalypt open forests, rainforest, and melaleuca woodlands on low riverine floodplains.
Poverty Point Road (no vehicle access permit required)
- 6.3km rough, sandy track
- suitable for 4WD vehicles with high clearance
- Expect some long stretches of deep loose sand with some sections becoming inundated after heavy rainfall.
- the turn-off to the Poverty Point camping area is off the Rainbow Beach Road.
Picnic and day-use areas
Day-use areas with toilets and picnic tables:
- Bymien
- Freshwater
- Searys Creek
- Harrys
- Fig Tree Point.
Water (untreated) is available at:
- Freshwater
- Harrys
- Fig Tree Point.
Also note:
- Treat all water before drinking.
- Bring a fuel stove or use barbecues if provided.
- Open fires are not permitted.
Swimming
Swimming in lakes, the river and the ocean is not recommended. People have suffered serious injuries in water-related accidents in Cooloola. There are no patrolled swimming areas in Cooloola, except at certain times on a section of beachfront—clearly signed—slightly north of the Rainbow Beach township. Check local signs for patrol times.
Be aware and avoid tragedy!
- Always stay with children when near water.
- Sharks are common in the river and ocean.
- Rips occur frequently in the ocean.
- Bluebottles (a species of marine stinger) are prevalent during spells of northerly winds.
- Do not jump or dive into the water. Serious injuries have occurred.
Canoeing
Canoeing is the best way to experience the upper Noosa River. Follow the guidelines below to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
- Stay clear of power boats, as they have limited manoeuvrability.
- Paddle close to the riverbanks.
- Stay clear of channel markers to allow passage for power boats.
- Ensure all gear is in waterproof containers.
- Strong winds often occur in the afternoon, making the river and Lake Cootharaba rough to cross. Plan to travel in the morning when conditions are likely to be calm.
- Take note of distances and travel times and plan trips accordingly.
- Never canoe or kayak alone.
- Wear life jackets at all times.
- Observe the no-landing zone between Fig Tree Point and Harry's hut.
- Consider others; leave enough space for others to tie up at jetties.
- Store canoes in the racks (where provided) overnight.
Hire a 4wd from us for day trips to Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point
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