For your retirement getaways and vacation, visit Rainbow Beach, a famous tourist destination located in the Queensland area of ​​Australia. Rainbow Beach is associated with the Great Sandy National Park, coloured sand beaches, wildlife, and the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island.

Rainbow Beach is a perfect representation of Queensland’s stunning coastline. Nestled between Cooloola National Park and K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), this striking beauty is rippled with ancient colours. A long time ago, the area was called Back Beach but was renamed Rainbow Beach after the coloured sand.

Here, you can experience the grandeur of nature’s sculpture in sand. So get ready; let’s explore some fun activities and locations at Rainbow Beach.

1. Tour Of Coloured Sand

Here, you can experience the coloured dunes around the beachside made of natural and coloured sand or the abundant marine wildlife on this island. Rainbow Beach is home to dolphins, whales, turtles, manta rays, stingrays, and soldier crabs.

You can also take a 30-minute walk through the Pippies Beachhouse. Its cliffs are perfect for long walks.

2. 4WD Tours and Camping

4WD tours and camping are popular here, especially during summer. Tourists are often encouraged to indulge in 4WD Tours and camping at Rainbow Beach.

Below are some Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Tours available on Rainbow Beach

1. Fraser Island 4WD Adventure Two Days.
2. Fraser Is Camping Escape Three Days ex Rainbow Bch.
3. K’gari 2-Day Fraser Explorer Tour.
4. Fraser Island Day Tour.
5. Dingo’s 3-Day Tag Along Fraser Island 4WD Adventure.
6. Fraser Island Day Tour departs Rainbow Beach.
7. Fraser Island Camping Tour: Five days.

3. Visit The Scenic Double Island Point

Visit Rainbow Beach to enjoy the incredible sunrise and sunset views. People often come here to hike up to Double Island Point. There’s a lighthouse that stands high on these cliffs, with views over the Pacific Ocean to Fraser Island.

It is a great place to spot turtles and whales, catch crabs, and kayak with dolphins and fish. The quickest way to access the Double Island Point is by a four-wheel-drive vehicle along the beach.

4. Don’t Miss Out On Carlo Sand Blow Views

Carlo Sand Blow is a natural, beautiful “moonscape” of windblown sand with a view traversing K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the coast. Carlo Sand BlowCarlo Sand Blow covers over 15 hectares and is a part of the Cooloola sand mass. Captain Cook named the area after a deck crew, and it is one of the biggest accumulated windblown sand in Queensland, Australia.

You will be treated to views of Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove, which are great spots to view the sunset. There are unimpeded views of the double island to Inskip Peninsula, Fraser Island, and the beautiful colourful sands.

Here, Tin Can Bay’s sky and entire land are colourfully visible and reflect unique beauty. Take a water bottle with you; it can get scorching here during summer.

5. Camp At Cooloola Recreation Area

Cooloola Recreation Area is a spectacular part of the Great Sandy National Park. This area represents the vast landscape of Queensland’s stunning coastline, rich with wildlife and woodlands, perfect for nature enthusiasts to escape from city life. At Cooloola, there is something fun for every visitor.

Cruise a Four-Wheel drive past coloured sands and towering coastal sand cliffs. You can canoe on waterways, fish from the ocean, camp among wildflowers, hike across vast sandblows, and through rainforest remnants.

If you stay in Rainbow Beach or on your way to Inskip Point, Tin Can Bay, or Fraser Island, visit the Cooloola Recreation Area and enjoy the outstanding views.

6. Go Diving At The Wolf Rock Dive Centre

Wolf Rock Dive Centre is located in the Queensland beachside town of Rainbow Beach; it is a 1.5-hour drive south of Hervey Bay and North of Brisbane, a 2.5-hour drive. This place is considered one of the best dive centres in Australia by tourists. Those who crave adventure can dive with the spectacular Grey Nurse Sharks through Wolf Rock Dive Center or enjoy horse riding along the beach with Rainbow Beach Horse Rides.

Wolf Rock was recognized in 2003 as a marine sanctuary, as it was found to be the known gestation site for the endangered Grey Nurse Shark. Wolf Rock experiences other frequent giant visitors such as the Leopard Shark, Manta Rays, Blotched Fantail Rays, Eagle Rays, Olive Sea Snakes, Humpback Whales, and more.

Friendly staff are on the ground to assist you at any point. They have safety precautions so you can enjoy your time here freely without worrying.

Wolf Rock comprises four volcanic pinnacles, which are much higher than the ocean level. These tall volcanic rocks attract sea creatures, and many come here to breed and feed.

7. Visit Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is one of the most popular places in Southern Australia. It extends from Noosa & Sunshine Coast to Fraser Island. Being close to the popular tourist destinations of Fraser Island and Rainbow Beach, it gets plenty of tourists every year as well.

Hervey Bay is an easily accessible destination. It takes 50 minutes by air from Brisbane or 3 hrs 32 minutes drive north of Brisbane. This pristine environment has a host of sightings and discoveries that can be found on the shores of the largest sand island in the world.

Harvey Bay has the largest artificial reef in Australia, covering multiple underwater sites with different compositions. It has some shallow water with rich marine life of creatures of all colours, shapes, and sizes.

Take a tour of this bay with the Gold Coast & Brisbane Backpacker and enjoy the beautiful view of the valleys.

Hervey Bay is budget-friendly, so you can enjoy it with your family without breaking the bank; it has a Playground and water sports for kids to take Paddle Board Lessons. To have a better experience, it is essential to explore Hervey Bay with a tour guide.

8. Visit The Beautiful Poona Lake

Poona Lake, close to Cooloola Recreation Area, is a beautiful tea-coloured freshwater lake surrounded by a white sandy beach. Here, you can swim, fish, or take a walk around the beautiful surrounding beach. It is a relatively calm lake where you can enjoy peace.

Explore Poona Lake to get a taste of Cooloola’s Great Walk. You can start the hike from the Carlo Sand Blow car park at Rainbow Beach, then to the Cooloola Great Walk sign and finally towards the Carlo Sand Blow. Directly across the Carlo Sand Blow is Cooloola Great Marker, leading to a forested trail.

You will be walking through bushes and rainforests onto Poona Lake. It is a straightforward trail with clear indicators along the way. In about 2-3 hours, you will reach the tea tree-lined Poona lake.

Wrapping up

Rainbow Beach has many unique attraction locations, from the coloured sands at the beach to the calm Poona Lake and from the marine wildlife to wolf rocks and volcanos. It’s a place to have fun and adventure. The locations are budget-friendly and great for family trips, and all adventure spots have high safety precautions in place.

So when next you are up for a vacation, visit Rainbow Beach and have a fun, memorable experience.

Last Updated on February 7, 2024 by Arnab