Photo: Shiftchange ( talk ) / Public domain
Stretching for over 60 kilometres along the Cooloola Coast, Teewah Beach is a wild, windswept expanse of sand where the Pacific surf meets the ancient sand dunes of Great Sandy National Park. This is a place for adventurers who love the raw, untamed beauty of Australia's east coast — think 4WD tracks, empty shores, and the kind of solitude that makes you feel like you've discovered a secret.
Highlights & What to See
- 4WD Beach Driving — Teewah Beach is a designated beach-driving route. With a high-clearance 4WD, you can cruise the hard-packed sand between Noosa North Shore and Double Island Point, stopping for a swim or a picnic wherever the mood takes you.
- Coloured Sands & Rainbow Beach — The cliffs at the northern end of Teewah Beach display a stunning palette of ochre, red, and yellow sands. The best view is from the water or a scenic flight, but even a walk along the base reveals the geological story.
- Teewah Creek Campground — A basic, bush-camping spot tucked behind the dunes. It's a favourite for families and anglers, with calm creek waters for kayaking and paddleboarding, and easy access to the beach for surf fishing.
- Double Island Point Lighthouse — A 4WD-only track leads to this historic lighthouse perched on a headland. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the coastline and, in season, humpback whales migrating past.
- Wildlife Spotting — Keep an eye out for kangaroos on the dunes, sea eagles soaring overhead, and turtles nesting (November–March). The creek is also home to a variety of birdlife.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors spend a full day exploring the beach by 4WD, making stops for swimming, fishing, or simply soaking in the solitude. If you're camping at Teewah Creek, a weekend allows time to explore the Coloured Sands and Double Island Point. For a quick taste, a half-day drive from Noosa North Shore to the lighthouse and back is doable, but you'll wish you had longer.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Noosa North Shore — The southern gateway to Teewah Beach, accessible by a short vehicular ferry from Noosa. A great base for day trips, with cafes and accommodation just across the river.
- Rainbow Beach — A laid-back coastal town north of Teewah, famous for its coloured sand cliffs and the starting point for 4WD trips to K'gari (Fraser Island).
- K'gari (Fraser Island) — The world's largest sand island, just a short barge ride from Rainbow Beach. Combine Teewah with a few days exploring Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, and the Maheno wreck.
- Cooloola Great Walk — A multi-day hiking trail that traverses the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park, offering a different perspective on the dunes, rainforest, and coastline.
- Port Stephens — About a 3-hour drive south, this popular holiday destination offers dolphin cruises, sandboarding at Stockton Bight, and excellent seafood.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Stockton Bight — AussieLegend / Public domain
- Shoal Bay — Phil Whitehouse from London, United Kingdom / CC BY 2.0
- Tomaree National Park — AussieLegend / Public domain
- Worimi Conservation Reserve — No machine-readable author provided. Mausmac assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domain
- Koala Sanctuary — pelican / CC BY-SA 2.0