How to discover the rugged beauty of Great Sandy National Park

How to get to Great Sandy National Park | Things to do | Where to camp | Tips before you travel

Encompassing the vast coastal area from Noosa Northshore in Southeast Queensland and stretching all the way up to Rainbow Beach and K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), this huge expanse of sand, surf and sand dunes that is Great Sandy National Park is nothing short of breathtaking.

For an adventure that truly feels off the beaten track – a little rugged round the edges, even – Great Sandy National Park should be first on your must-visit list. Here’s how to do it right.

How to get to Great Sandy National Park  

Great Sandy National Park’s enduring appeal (apart from its immeasurable natural beauty) is its accessible location. Just 170kms north of Brisbane, and only 50kms from the regional hub of Gympie, it’s an easy drive from any city or township in Southeast Queensland.

From Brisbane, head north along the Bruce Highway before following signs to Noosa and Tewantin. From Tewantin, you’ll cross the Noosa River before hitting the sand at Noosa Northshore, where it’s all ‘sand highway’ and the start of Great Sandy herself. Read up on these beach driving tips before you go for a stress-free journey.

From Gympie, head northeast towards Tin Can Bay, taking the road almost the entire way through the Toolara State Forest, before following the signs along Rainbow Beach Road. Here, you have the choice of basing yourself in the quaint township of Rainbow Bay, or you can continue on to Double Island Point and Cooloolah by following the 4WD tracks through the National Park.

Things to do in Great Sandy National Park

The easiest way to tackle the big-ticket items in Great Sandy National Park is to divide it into two distinct sections: the Cooloola Great Sandy National Park Recreation Area in the south, and Rainbow Beach and K’gari in the north.

Great Sandy National Park's sun-drenched south

The first stop within the southern Cooloola region of the Great Sandy National Park is the Noosa Everglades. One of only two everglades in the world, this precious UNESCO Biosphere is a living, breathing eco system, home to countless species of flora and fauna. The best way to experience the sheer remoteness of the glades is by kayak, so ditch the 4WD for the day and hit up one of the handful of specialist licenced operators in the area. Eco-boat tours also run from Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp at Boreen Point. Post-paddle, be sure to jump in for a refreshing dip. 

The entry point to the UNESCO Great Sandy biosphere, Teewah Beach, is so much more than just another gorgeous Queensland beach. As well as being one of the few camping spots in Great Sandy National Park, this unique landscape is home to ancient rainforest and over fifty percent of Australia’s bird species. Special doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Continue north and you’ll hit Cooloola Beach, another absolutely gorgeous stretch of sand famed for its walking trails, including the Cooloola Great Walk; a 102km mega hike that snakes through the very heart of Great Sandy. Another 50kms up the coast brings you to Double Island Point; a pristine coastal headland boasting a sheltered ocean lagoon, 4WD and walking trails, a stunning headland looking out across the Pacific Ocean, and its very own heritage-listed Lighthouse. Epic Ocean Adventures offers sea kayak and SUP tours that blend adventure and wildlife spotting - book one if you fancy paddling out to see dolphins. 

Great Sandy National Park's remote and rugged north

The quaint coastal town of Rainbow Beach lies north of Double Island Point, with its beach’s vast, otherworldly sand dunes a most striking backdrop to this beachside paradise. Kids young and old will revel in Rainbow Beach’s family-friendly activities; surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, paragliding– you name it, Rainbow Beach delivers.

Lying just behind the town is the Carlo Sand Blow; the area’s monster 15-hectare sand dune. Hike the 2km trail to the crest of the sand blow and be rewarded with breathtaking views out to K’gari and her towering sand dunes.

Arguably Great Sandy National Park’s most famous neighbour, K’gari is a must-visit to this part of the world. This world heritage-listed icon is bursting with natural wonders; swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie, spot wild dingoes roaming the ocean edge, marvel at the mighty SS Maheno Shipwreck, float down the tranquil currents of Eli Creek, or relax in the islands natural ‘jacuzzi’ Champagne Pools. Well worth a day trip, K’gari boasts over 75kms of beach alone, so it’s well worth a few extra nights to immerse yourself in ‘island time’. If you’ve got the time, this week-long K’gari itinerary ticks all the boxes.

Great Sandy National Park requires 4WD permits to access many of its best spots, so it’s no surprise that the entire region boasts some of the very best 4WD trails in Queensland.

If all this talk of ‘high clearance vehicles’ and ‘low gears’ has got you craving more time behind the wheel, then fill the tank and head out on the Great Beach Drive. A five-day whistle-stop tour of some of Great Sandy’s, and the wider region’s, most beautiful beaches, drop the windows, hit cruise control and take in the endless views of golden sands and the deep blue of the Pacific before winding up at Hervey Bay.

Great Sandy National Park camping

It’s a camper’s paradise in Great Sandy National Park, with grounds dotted right across the park. Want to wake up to birdsong and the tranquillity of gently swaying scribbly gum trees? No problem. Want to hear the sound of gently crashing waves and wake with the sun? It’s got that, too.

Teewah Beach offers seven separate campgrounds, each boasting absolute beachfront camp sites. This is your quintessential, fully ‘off-grid’ camping experience: no electricity, no running water, no showers. But those views are one in a million, so it’s a pretty easy trade-off.

Freshwater camping ground has two sites, both just inland from the beach and is surrounded by soaring scribbly gum forest. These sites offer more amenities, including showers, toilets, and are also wheelchair accessible. You’re also within easy access to both Teewah Beach and Freshwater Day Use area which includes the Freshwater Lake Circuit and 4WD track.

Things to remember before heading to Great Sandy National Park