Cooloola Great Walk

The Cooloola Great Walk is a 102-kilometer multi-day trek through one of Queensland's most diverse coastal landscapes, weaving through ancient sand dunes, towering rainforests, and pristine beaches in the Great Sandy National Park. This is a walk for those who crave solitude and raw natural beauty — expect to spot dingoes, goannas, and the elusive ground parrot as you traverse from the Noosa River to Rainbow Beach.

Highlights & What to See

• Noosa River & Harrys Hut – Start your journey with a boat transfer across the glassy Noosa River to Harrys Hut, a historic timber camp with a charming picnic spot and river views.
• Cooloola Sandpatch – A surreal expanse of white sand dunes that stretch for kilometers, offering panoramic views over the ocean and the chance to see wildflowers in spring.
• Rainforest Gorges & Creeks – Cool off in the cool, tea-colored waters of the Noosa River's upper reaches, where paperbark and eucalypt forest meet vine-thick rainforest.
• Teewah Beach – A wild, windswept beach perfect for beachcombing and spotting sea eagles. The walk follows the beach for a section, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and towering sand cliffs on the other.
• Rainbow Beach & Coloured Sands – The walk ends at Rainbow Beach, famous for its 72 shades of sand — a spectacular finale to your trek.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most walkers take 4–5 days to complete the Cooloola Great Walk, walking between 15–25 kilometers per day. The route is well-marked and offers basic campsites with water tanks (treat before drinking). Plan your trip over a long weekend or combine with a few extra days to explore the surrounding national park. The best time to walk is April to October, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is low.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Noosa Heads – A vibrant coastal town with excellent dining, surf beaches, and the lush Noosa National Park, perfect for pre- or post-walk recovery.
• Fraser Island (K'gari) – The world's largest sand island, just a short ferry ride from Rainbow Beach, offers 4WD adventures, Lake McKenzie, and the Maheno Shipwreck.
• Gympie – A historic gold-mining town with a charming heritage precinct, antique shops, and the Woodworks Museum & Interpretive Centre.
• Maryborough – A riverside city with grand colonial architecture, the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, and links to author P.L. Travers (Mary Poppins).
• Tin Can Bay – A quiet fishing village where you can hand-feed wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins at the Tin Can Bay Marina.

Please check official sources for current details.