Things to do in Rainbow Beach Queensland: Our guide to the Cooloola Coast
Last updated: September 2026
Rainbow Beach Queensland is a small coastal town, famous for its coloured sand cliffs, and it’ s the gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island), the third-largest sand island in the world. It has fun things to do for all ages, breathtaking landscapes and a laid-back feel that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. If you’re exploring Australia’s east coast, it’s a must visit!
I’ve been coming here for several years. Sometimes for a weekend, sometimes as the start of a longer trip to either K’gari or Double Island Point
In this guide, I’ll share my favourite things to do in Rainbow Beach, Queensland, where to eat, and how the town fits in with everything else on the Cooloola Coast.
Rainbow Beach Queensland, overview
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Where |
About 2.5 hours north of Brisbane, 1.5 hours south of Hervey Bay, in the Gympie region. |
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Known for |
Coloured sand cliffs, Carlo Sandblow, beach driving, and the K’gari barge from Inskip Point |
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Swimming |
The main beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers. Swim between the flags. |
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Do you need a 4WD? |
No for the town, Carlo Sandblow, Seary’s Creek and Tin Can Bay. Yes for Double Island Point, Teewah Beach, most of Inskip and K’gari. |
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How long |
Two or three days for the town, a week if you add camping at Double Island Point |
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Best time |
April to October, with whales from June |
Where is Rainbow Beach, Queensland?
Rainbow Beach is on Queensland’s east coast, North of the Sunshine Coast and south of Hervey Bay and K’gari. You’ll often see it described as “Sunshine Coast”, but it’s in the Gympie region, and it sits at the northern end of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park. K’gari, just across the water from Inskip Point, is part of the same national park.
That location is the whole appeal. To the south, the national park runs 50-odd kilometres down to Noosa, with Double Island Point and Teewah Beach in between. To the north, the Inskip Peninsula points straight at K’gari. The town is small, but it’s the base for all of it.
How Rainbow Beach fits into the Cooloola Coast
Most people come to Rainbow Beach for one of four things, and they’re all within an hour or two of each other:
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Place |
From Rainbow Beach |
What it’s for |
Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
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Inskip Point |
15 minutes north, sealed road |
Camping under the trees, dogs welcome, the K’gari barge |
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Double Island Point |
11 km south along the beach (low tide) or Freshwater Road |
The lagoon, the lighthouse walk, surfing, Freshwater camping |
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Teewah Beach |
South past Double Island Point |
Seven beach camping zones, no facilities, pure beach camping. |
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Noosa |
About 2 hours by road, or the full beach drive and the ferry |
Cafes, and Noosa national park |
A great way to do it: come up from Noosa on the ferry, drive the beach past the Teewah zones, camp a couple of nights near Double Island Point, then carry on north to Rainbow Beach at low tide for a night in town and a day at Inskip. You’ll need a 4WD, a vehicle access permit and a close eye on the tides.
➤ Our Double Island Point guide has all the details.
12 Things to do in Rainbow Beach Queensland
Rainbow Beach has it all: relaxation, adventure, and mind-blowing nature. Here are my top recommendations:
1. Take a photo at the Rainbow Stairs
Head over to the iconic Rainbow Stairs for the mandatory photo. Located near the surf club, these colourful stairs lead down to the beach and are a favourite spot for capturing the town’s vibrant vibe.
2. Swim and surf at the main beach
You can swim at Rainbow Beach Queensland! The main beach is patrolled by the surf lifesavers, so it’s a safe spot for families and solo travellers alike. Just swim between the flags. If you’re into surfing, you’ll find some great waves near the surf club.
3. See the coloured sands
Rainbow Beach is named after its cliffs. The sand runs from white through yellow and orange to deep red, coloured by iron oxides and plant dyes, and at golden hour it’s a photographer’s dream. You can walk along the beach from town at low tide to see them, or drive past them on your way south.
Admire them from a distance. Queensland Parks currently has an alert out for landslides on the exposed sand cliffs and dunes, so don’t climb them, dig into them or sit underneath.
4. Drive the beach south of town
You can take your 4WD on the beach. The access point is at the end of Rainbow Beach Road: turn left onto Krichner Avenue, then right onto Griffin Esplanade to the council car park. From there, you can drive along the coloured cliffs into the Great Sandy National Park. You’ll need a vehicle access permit (from $15.40 a day), and you’ll need to check the tide times before heading out. The beach is inaccessible at high tide, and even at low tide you sometimes can’t get past Mudlo Rocks. Check the Iceman’s Facebook page and the Parks conditions report first.
5. Watch the sunset from Carlo Sandblow
This massive sand dune is perfect for sandboarding, paragliding, or simply watching a stunning sunrise or sunset. From the car park, it’s about 15 minutes to get to the Carlo Sand Blow, and the view is worth every step.
6. Cool off at Seary’s Creek
On a hot day, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of Seary’s Creek. This freshwater spot is surrounded by lush greenery and is easily accessible via a picturesque boardwalk. It’s a great spot to relax and take a dip.
7. Explore Double Island Point
Double Island Point is a true paradise, and you can get there from Rainbow Beach. It’s 4WD only, either along the beach from town (if Mudlo Rocks are passable) or inland via Freshwater Road. This secluded spot is perfect for surfing, snorkelling, the lighthouse walk, camping, or just floating in the lagoon.
There’s a Parks alert about deep holes in the lagoon until at least December 2026.
➤ Read our full 4X4 Guide to Double Island Point before you go.
8. Drive the 4WD Freshwater Track
Freshwater Road is a 15 km track from Rainbow Beach Road to the beach at Freshwater. The first 3 km to the Bymien day-use area is fine in a 2WD. The last 12 km needs a high-clearance 4WD and a vehicle access permit. It takes you through lush rainforest and big gum trees, and it’s an adventure in itself as the landscape changes the deeper you go.
9. Walk to Poona Lake
The walk from Bymien day-use area to Poona Lake takes about 30 minutes each way through rainforest. It’s a great spot for a swim, a picnic and cooling off after the walk.
10. Feed the wild Dolphins at Tin Can Bay
About 40 minutes from Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay offers the unique experience of feeding wild Australian humpback dolphins at Barnacles Cafe & Dolphin Centre. The centre opens at 7 am and feeding starts around 8am every day. Volunteers share stories about the dolphins, and you can join them in the water to hand one a fish. It costs $15 to watch or $20 to feed, there are no bookings, and it’s first come, first served. The dolphins are wild, so they’re not guaranteed to turn up.
11. Watch the Barge at Inskip Point
15 minutes north of town, Inskip Point is where the barge leaves for K’gari. Even if you’re not crossing, it’s worth an hour. The water on the bayside is calm and clear, the fishing is good off the ocean side, and in summer, watching people getting bogged in the soft sand on the way to the barg has become a local pastime. It’s also where you’ll find the best camping near town.
➤ See our Inskip Point Camping Guide.
12. Take a day or multi-day trip to K’gari
From Inskip Point, the barge takes you across to the southern end of K’gari in a few minutes. K’gari is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed sand island with freshwater lakes, champagne pools and ancient rainforest, and it’s 4WD and fishing heaven. You’ll need a separate K’gari vehicle permit, and it’s a serious 4WD island, so if you’ve never driven on sand, a guided tour is the way to do it:
- All-inclusive 1-day trip to K’gari (Fraser Island) – large group, bigger bus
- 3-Day K’gari adventure, smaller group, several 4WDs (our recommendation if you don’t have a 4WD)
Where to eat in Rainbow Beach Queensland
Rainbow Beach has some fantastic places to eat. It’s a small town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go out for a lovely breakfast or dinner.
Little Parliament
Kickstart your day with coffee and breakfast at Little Parliament. Their menu features a mix of sweet and savoury options. There’s something for everyone. I really love their Banoffle, Belgian waffles (of course) when I crave something sweet, or the All Things Green when I want something fresh.
Rainbow Beach Hotel
For a laid-back evening, head to the Rainbow Beach Hotel. It’s known for its hearty meals and friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a classic chicken parmi and a cold drink. Don’t miss their ‘wall of shame’, covered in photos of bogged and flooded cars. You don’t want yours up there.
Fish & Chips
No trip to a beach town is complete without fish and chips. Grab a takeaway from the Frying Fish Cafe and enjoy it by the water.
Surf club
With stunning ocean views, the surf club is a great spot for a post-swim or surf meal.
Where to stay in Rainbow Beach
Camping
The best camping is at Inskip Point, 15 minutes north and in the national park around Double Island Point.
➤ We’ve compared all ten spots in our Rainbow Beach Camping Guide.
Caravan Parks
There are caravan parks in and just outside of town with powered sites and showers. Handy if you’re towing a big van or in a 2WD.
➤ Book Big4 Rainbow Beach Holiday Park here.
Holiday Apartments and resorts
Most are within walking distance of the main beach and the shops.
➤ Find your Rainbow Beach accommodation here.
Planning your trip to Rainbow Beach Queensland
Getting To Rainbow Beach Queensland
From Brisbane, it’s about 2.5 hours: take the Bruce Highway to Gympie, then Tin Can Bay Road and Rainbow Beach Road.
From Hervey Bay, it’s about 1.5 hours.
From Noosa you can drive around by road in about 2 hours, or, with a 4WD, take the ferry at Tewantin and drive the whole beach north past Double Island Point.
Getting around
You can walk the town, the main beach and the Rainbow Stairs. Carlo Sandblow, Seary’s Creek, Inskip Point and Tin Can Bay are all on sealed roads. For Double Island Point, Teewah Beach and K’gari, you’ll need a high-clearance 4WD or book a tour.
Supplies
There’s an IGA, a bottle shop, fuel and a dump point on Clarkson Drive. It’s your last proper stop before the national park, so fill up on water, fuel and ice here.
Best time to visit Rainbow Beach Queensland
April to October is ideal: cooler temperatures, less rain and fewer crowds. Whales pass from June to October, and you can spot them from Carlo Sandblow and the Double Island Point lighthouse. Summer is busy and hot, the sand is softer for driving, and you’ll have to book campsites and accommodation well ahead.
Rainbow Beach Queensland FAQs
Is Rainbow Beach Queensland worth visiting?
Yes. The coloured cliffs, Carlo Sandblow, and the patrolled beach make it worth a weekend on their own. And it’s the gateway to Double Island Point, Inskip Point, and K’gari.
Do you need a 4WD at Rainbow Beach Queensland?
Not for the town, Carlo Sandblow, Seary’s Creek, Inskip Point Road or Tin Can Bay. You do for the beach drive, Double Island Point, Teewah Beach and most Inskip campsites and K’gari.
Is Rainbow Beach worth the trip?
Rainbow Beach, Queensland, is a must-visit destination that’s fun for all ages. From its iconic coloured cliffs to its adventurous 4WD tracks and mind-blowing nature. Whether you’re travelling through to K’gari, or heading to Rainbow Beach for the weekend, you will find plenty of things to keep you busy. I’m sure you’ll want to return to this gem over and over again. Happy travels!
Explore the Cooloola Coast
- Rainbow Beach Camping: the 10 best campsites compared
- Camping at Double Island Point: tides, the lagoon, Freshwater camping and the lighthouse walk
- Teewah Beach Camping: all seven camping zones compared
The content on Bush and Bay is based on our personal experiences and opinions. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information, travel conditions and recommendations may change over time. We do not take responsibility for any decisions or actions made based on our content. Always conduct your own research and consult with professionals where necessary.
