Rainbow Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Welcome to
Rainbow Beach and Gympie

A vibrant adventure playground

Striking in beauty and rippled with colourful ancient sand dunes, the coastal town of Rainbow Beach is nestled between Fraser Island and Cooloola National Park.

According to the Indigenous tribe of the area, the idyllic beachside town acquired its name from the spirit of the gods who took the form of a rainbow and coloured the sands of the cliffs when he crashed into them after being killed in battle. 

Things to do in Rainbow Beach and Gympie

To chat face-to-face to a local about all the best things to see and do in Rainbow Beach and Gympie, step into a Visitor Information Centre

A true representation of the vast landscape of Queensland’s stunning coastline, you can sink your feet into the golden sand of the Carlo Sandblow, hike through the sub-tropical rainforest fringing the dunes, or explore the rainbow hues of the seaside beach cliffs.  

If you want to explore further, switch the bitumen for a 4x4 off-road adventure along the Great Beach Drive. You can take the beach highway from Rainbow Beach over to Inskip Point which is the gateway to Fraser Island.

Go at your own pace and set up camp along the shore of the Great Beach Drive. Wake up to the sound of the waves and throw a line in or catch a wave from your front yard.  

There are also many accommodation options in town; you could consider taking a day trip to canter along the beach and take in this unspoilt part of coastal paradise by horseback.

If you want to immerse yourself in all that Mother Nature has to offer in this stunning region, strap on some hiking boots and take the time to really explore the vast Cooloola coastline on the Cooloola Great Walk.  

Only accessible by 4WD, venture all the way around the coastal headland to Double Island Point. Kayak with dolphins, swim in the protected northern beaches or hike the summit to the lighthouse built in 1884 and now operating on solar power.

Less than an hour’s drive from Rainbow Beach is the historic town of Gympie, where you’ll be greeted with warm country hospitality and a town rich in mining history. Stroll the main street, step back in time onboard the Mary Valley Rattler steam train, embark on a self-guided tour or browse the weekend markets to sample fresh local produce. Wind your way around the picturesque Mary Valley, tucked inland behind Noosa as you discover the quaint villages of Imbil, Kadanga and Amamoor.

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