Cooloola Wilderness Trail

The Cooloola Wilderness Trail is a remote and rugged multi-day hiking experience in the Great Sandy National Park, Queensland. This 90-kilometre track winds through ancient sand dunes, lush rainforests, and pristine coastal heathlands, offering a true wilderness escape. It's a challenging journey best suited for experienced bushwalkers, with opportunities to spot dingoes, goannas, and migrating birds along the way.

Highlights & What to See

• Noosa River crossings: The trail follows the river’s upper reaches, where you can paddle across in a canoe (included in the permit) and camp on sandy banks under a canopy of paperbarks.
• Harrys Hut: A historic timber hut dating from the 1950s, now a basic shelter and a great spot for a break, with interpretive signs about local logging history.
• Cooloola Sandpatch: A vast, stark landscape of shifting white sand dunes that contrast with the surrounding forest – it feels like a desert by the sea.
• Rainforest to heath transitions: Walk through towering kauri pines and brush box trees, then emerge into open heathlands ablaze with wildflowers in spring.
• Wildlife encounters: Keep an eye out for swamp wallabies, echidnas, and the elusive glossy black-cockatoo. The trail is also a stronghold for the vulnerable Cooloola tree frog.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most hikers complete the Cooloola Wilderness Trail in 4–5 days, walking 15–25 kilometres per day. The trail is one-way, so you’ll need to arrange a vehicle drop-off and pickup or use the park’s commercial transport. Plan for an extra day to explore the Noosa River by canoe or to simply relax at the campsites. The best time to go is from May to October, when temperatures are milder and the chance of rain is lower. Note that bookings and a vehicle access permit are required, and you must be self-sufficient with all food and water.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Noosa National Park: Just south, with its famous coastal walks, secluded beaches, and abundant wildlife – a great way to ease into the region.
• Fraser Island (K'gari): The world’s largest sand island is accessible by 4WD ferry from Inskip Point, offering similar wild landscapes and freshwater lakes.
• Rainbow Beach: A laid-back coastal town with coloured sand cliffs, a relaxed vibe, and access to the Carlo Sandblow – perfect for a rest day.
• Gympie: A historic gold-mining town with heritage buildings, a regional art gallery, and the Woodworks Museum & Forestry Park.
• Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola Recreation Area): Explore the park’s southern section by 4WD, with beach driving, fishing spots, and the scenic Teewah Beach.

Please check official sources for current details.