Cooloola Great Walk

Stretching for 102 kilometres through the raw, untamed heart of the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park, the Cooloola Great Walk is a multi-day trek that plunges you into one of Queensland’s most diverse and ancient landscapes. This is no manicured stroll – you’ll traverse towering sand dunes, cool rainforest gullies, open heathlands ablaze with wildflowers, and wild, surf-pounded beaches. The walk is best tackled over 4–5 days, with basic campsites and a few hut-style shelters along the route. It’s a true backcountry experience, so come prepared with all your own food, water (or a filter), and camping gear. The reward is solitude, a deep connection to Country, and the chance to spot dingoes, wallabies, and an astonishing array of birdlife.

Highlights & What to See

• Cooloola Sandpatch – One of the walk’s most surreal landscapes: a vast, white sandblow that feels more like the Sahara than subtropical Queensland. Climb the shifting dunes for sweeping views over the ocean and the coloured sands below.
• Rainforest Gorges & Freshwater Creeks – Sections through lush vine forest and along crystal-clear creeks like the Noosa River offer a cool, green contrast to the sandy expanses. Look for basking goannas and the calls of whipbirds.
• Teewah Beach & Coloured Sands – The final coastal stretch along Teewah Beach is a highlight, with its dramatic cliffs of red, yellow and ochre sand that have been sculpted by wind and rain over millennia.
• Wildlife Encounters – Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s iconic dingoes (always observe from a distance), as well as swamp wallabies, echidnas, and the rare glossy black-cockatoo.
• Lookouts along the Way – Don’t miss the side trip to Mt Seawah lookout for a 360-degree panorama of the rainforest canopy and the distant coastline.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most walkers allocate 4 to 5 days to complete the full Cooloola Great Walk, covering 20–30 kilometres per day. This allows time to enjoy side trips, swim in freshwater holes, and soak in the changing scenery. If you’re short on time, you can sample the best sections on a day hike from the southern trailhead near Noosa North Shore or the northern end at Rainbow Beach – the Sandpatch and the first few kilometres of rainforest are particularly rewarding. For a self-drive itinerary, combine a 2–3 day walk with a few days exploring the nearby coastal towns.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Noosa Heads & Noosa National Park – Just a short drive south, Noosa offers stylish coastal walks, excellent dining, and the chance to spot koalas in the wild.
• Rainbow Beach – The northern gateway to the walk, this laid-back beach town is perfect for a post-trek fish and chips and a cold drink.
• Fraser Island (K’gari) – The world’s largest sand island is accessible by 4WD ferry from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay – a natural extension of your Great Sandy adventure.
• Double Island Point – A dramatic headland with a historic lighthouse and excellent whale-watching (June–November) just north of the walk’s endpoint.
• Boreen Point & Lake Cootharaba – A peaceful lakeside village on the Noosa River, ideal for kayaking, sailing, and spotting birdlife before or after your walk.

Please check official sources for current details.