Rainbow Beach holiday house

Winter bliss at Rainbow Beach

2011-07-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Late afternoon in front of the lifesaving flags looking towards Inskip Point. Still people on the beach enjoying the last of the sun's warmth.

We're experiencing the most glorious sunny weather in Rainbow Beach for the June-July school holidays. To make this idyllic place even more perfect, it is very quiet. It appears the crowds have decided to stay home and sadly they are missing out!

Winter is a lovely time to visit Rainbow Beach. On the beach it is warm enough to wear togs (swimmers) and shorts. OK, the water is a little chilly, but the kids don't seem to notice. Some are wearing wetsuits, but many aren't. The beach is beautiful for lazing like a lizard soaking up the warm sun, reading a book or building sand castles and beach cricket.

We have enjoyed azure-blue skies, warm sunshine and little wind almost all day, everyday. Even when the wind gets up, we can find a beach that is sheltered from the prevailing wind.

One of the most memorable features of this area are its striking colours - nature has perfected its palette in Rainbow. Sand cliffs of many colours from bright white to yellow and blood ochre, capped with dark green Banksia forest before a rich blue sky arcs endlessly above.

And of course, it is the best time of the year for bush walking. The sand expanse of Carlo Sand Blow has been magnificent and the temperature perfect for an explore all around its extremes. We have joined many backpackers and other visitors to watch the fiery sunsets over the waters of Tin Can Bay inlet. Today, below the coloured sand cliffs we met a group who had walked from Freshwater where they had camped for the night. They said it would take about six hours to walk from Freshwater, north along Teewah Beach to Double Island Point and then along the glorious sweeping Rainbow Beach to the township.

Daytime temperatures in Rainbow Beach have been about 20 - 22 degrees Celsius.

Rainbow Beach lifesavers

2010-09-06T06:39:00.000-07:00

Rainbow Beach surf lifesavers patrol the beach in front of the surf tower on weekends from September to April and all week during school holidays. Always swim between the flags for your safety! No cars are allowed to drive through the the safe swimming area.

Rainbow Beach is a 23 km long, curving beach located in Wide Bay, stretching between Inskip Point (which is opposite the southern tip of Fraser Island) and Double Island Point. The open bay faces north-east and the beaches in the bay face variously north, east and north-east as they swing around between the two points.

Beach craft | Pandanus People

2010-07-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

The Pandanus palm is one of the iconic plants of the Sunshine Coast. Around Rainbow Beach, Pandanus palms cling to perilious positions along the ever changing sand dunes.
Our beach craft Pandanus people were made from the phalanges of the large fruit, bleached by the ocean and washed up onto the beach. At some stage a worm or insect has bored holes through the flesh -- often in incredibly fortuitous positions! We could not believe how easily they looked like funny little people.

We added some creative touches to turn the stringy fibres into arms, skirt and even plaited hair. The outer case of the Pandanus phalanges is so fibrous it is even used as a natural dental floss.

To finish our beach craft, we glued the Pandanus onto a cork board.

More about Pandanus tectorius

Pandanus plams found on the Sunshine Coast have a large orange fruit made up 40 to 200 wedge-like phalanges. The Phalanges contain the seeds, can remain viable for many months while being washed around the ocean currents.

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is a major source of food on some island nations. The tree's leaves are often used as flavoring for sweet dishes (you might have seen Pandanus often featured in Alvin's dishes on MasterChef . The leaves are used by Polynesians to make baskets, mats, outrigger canoe sails, thatch roofs and grass skirts.

Jamella leafhopper dieback
The Jamella leafhopper has been responsible for the dieback and death of many Pandanus along the Cooloola coastline but has so far not been noted on Fraser Island. The leaf hopper can be controlled with pesticides, but needs constant vigilance.

Sand city and driftwood aliens

2010-07-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

Winter at the beach is beautiful in its own blustery, bracing way. It's a chance to appreciate the rich colours of nature not washed out by a harsh sun. It's fun to walk along the beach rugged up against the chill and not bake in the heat. Then it's home to a lovely warm shower, cup of tea and game of Monopoly. Happily, we also had days that were warm enough to swim and lay on the beach in our togs (swimmers for non-Queenslanders!).

These images were captured by the children on an afternoon beach walk. They were fascinated by the "sand city" - like a distant view of city skyscrapers.

Rainbow Beach has loads of driftwood washed up against the rocks. The sandscape along the beach changes so often that it appears and disappears daily. We love exploring the distorted, weathered shapes and discovering alien creatures.

And capturing bleached white driftwood against the black coffee rock.

Aquatic Centre for Rainbow Beach by mid 2011

2010-06-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Source: media release from the Federal Minister for Infrastructure Rainbow Beach will have a $2 million Aquatic Centre with a 10 lane pool and gymnasium by mid July 2011 thanks to community fundraising and Federal Government funding.

The project is expected to support 20 jobs during construction, as well as another six jobs over the longer term, delivering an economic boost for Rainbow Beach.

Senator Ludwig said, "This is about giving a real lift to the Gympie region by providing a much-needed year-round aquatic, sporting and recreational facility. It will also increase swimming safety and awareness through the learn-to-swim and surf life saving training activities."

The Gympie Regional Council project is expected to include:

Construction and fit out of the Rainbow Beach Aquatic Centre including a new pool and gymnasium facilities;
Energy and water saving measures; and
Art and landscaping which reflects the local Indigenous heritage.

Whale spotting at Rainbow Beach

2010-05-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Humpack whale fluke

Why do whales pass by Rainbow Beach from June to October?

According to http://www.abc.net.au/oceans/whale/spot.htm Each year most of the large whales in the southern oceans follow a general migration pattern. Summer is spent in the cold waters of Antarctica, where they feed on enormous quantities of the prawn-like krill. In Autumn, as the temperature falls and ice begins to form on the sea surface, the whales migrate northward to more temperate waters to give birth and breed before returning to Antarctic waters at the end of Spring.

Consequently, large whales are most likely to be seen in South East Queensland waters between June and October. From about May to August and later, humpback whales migrate north along the east and west coasts of Australia to breeding areas off Queensland, Western Australia and possibly waters further north. From September to December they return to feeding areas in the Antarctic.

Sometimes humpback whales can even be seen from April to November depending on the season.
Image from
http://www.abc.net.au/oceans/whale/spot.htm

From the high sand dunes along Rainbow Beach and from Carlo Sand Blow you can be lucky to see passing whales that have come into the bay for a rest on their long journey. Particularly on their return journey, we often see a mother and her new baby calf playing and resting in the shallow waters along the beach.

The headland at Double Island Point is the best vantage point, as the whales pass by quite close to the shore. Allow yourself plenty of time to sit and watch and remember some binocculars!

Which species of whales migrate past Rainbow Beach?

Humpback whales. Check out this fact sheet which has a good illustration on the features to look for in identifying Humpack whales Humpack Whales of Eastern Australia. The name humpback whale describes the motion the whale makes as it arches its back out of the water in preparation for a dive. They have a stocky body with obvious humps and black upper parts. The head and lower jaw are covered with small, round bumps on the front of the head called knobs or tubercles,

Most often you will first see their blow - a double spray of water. You can also spot:
Breaching - leaping out of the water
Pec slapping - the pectoral fins, which are up to one-third of a Humpback whale body length, have rough edges are the largest flippers of any whale.
The tail and flukes - which are lifted high in the air as they dive.
This website has excellent info on whale species found in Australian waters and how to recognise them at sea http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/species/cetaceans/australia/index.html

Amazing photo of a Humpback whale and dolphin playing together from the Smithsonian website.

Double Island Point lighthouse at sunset

2010-04-29T04:16:00.000-07:00

At the southern end of Rainbow Beach is Double Island Point, which is about one hour drive from Rainbow Beach via Freshwater Track and Teewah Beach. To reach the lighthouse, park at the very end of the beach and then walk up the signposted track about 600 metres. The beginning and end sections are quite steep, so you do need energy, water and hats. We were lucky to see masses of Blue Tiger (or Blue Wanderer) butterflies in the She-oak (Casuarina) trees. Blue Tiger butterflies migrate each year from North Queensland to South East Queensland around March-April.

Double Island Point lighthouse is still an important functioning lighthouse. When it was built in 1884 the lantern burnt oil, then in 1923 vaporised kerosene, later it was converted to electric power and in 1992 it was automated and converted to solar power.

Lichen grows on a rock with one of the historic lighthouse keepers cottages in the background. Noosa Parks Association volunteers are undertaking the huge task of ridding Double Island Point of introduced weeds and revegetation with native plants.

Excerpt from Accidental-Greenie eco blog: Have you ever sat on the beautiful beach at Noosa or walked through the National Park and thought "thank goodness there is no high rise in Noosa"?

In 1969, Noosa Council had approved a high rise development on the beach side of Hastings Street and in the late 70's was proposing a 12 storey limit on the other side of Hastings Street. Today, there is a three storey limit. How this happened is the story of two legendary couples, Arthur and Marjorie Harrold and Bill and Mavis Huxley, and the volunteer organisation they founded, Noosa Parks Association (NPA).

Queensland's Noosa and Cooloola National Park region works its magic on all who are fortunate to visit. Noosa is one of our most valuable tourism destinations because the concrete development has harmonised with the natural beauty of rainforest scrambling down coastal headland to pristine beaches.

We also have these people to thank for there being no coastal road around Noosa Heads and the existence of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park stretching from Noosa River to Double Island point. In the 60s and 70s, this area was destined to be ripped apart for sand mining and when the miners moved on, suburban development would have moved in.

The NPA and the people that have volunteered their time and hearts since 1962 are true legends of conservation. Today, the NPA is regarded around the world as a shining light for successful community environmental organisation. Unlike well known single issue battles such as the Franklin and Gordon River, the NPA has relentlessly fought and won successive battles over 40 years.

Favourite treats - where to eat in Rainbow Beach

2009-10-11T05:40:00.000-07:00

One of the delights of a beach holiday are the special treats after a busy day in the surf and sun. Creme de la Creme gelateria at the new Plantation Hotel is a popular bribe to entice the children off the beach.

Our visit to Rainbow Beach is not complete without an apple turnover from the bakery in the main street. Often used as a bribe for help in the garden.

Fire on Fraser Island

2009-09-25T03:46:00.000-07:00

As dusk fell today, the glow magically appeared from this fire that has been burning on Fraser Island for a couple of days. The air has been heavy with the smoke all day, but it was not until evening that we could actually see the fire. The tiny light across on the right of the fire is car headlights way up along the coast of Fraser Island.

Aborigines used fire to manage vegetation on Fraser Island for thousands of years. According to the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO): "We know that Fraser Island Aborigines used fire by the comments of Captain Cook, who passed along the main beach in the hours of darkness on 18 May 1770. He said, "Our course at night was guided by the great number of fires on the shore". Thus Fraser Island would have had relatively frequent, low intensity burns which would have resulted in a landscape with "a park like appearance". That is the description most early explorers gave to describe the lack of a dense understorey in the Australian bush."

Paraglide at Rainbow Beach

2009-09-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

The thermals must be good at the moment, because we had a parade of paragliders passing the house. One photo shows someone just taking off from Carlo Sand Blow with Double Island Point in the background. From the sand blow they drift up and down, riding the thermals back along to Rainbow Beach. We are all convinced that we would like to try paragliding because they look so relaxed, literally just having a little sit down in their floating seats.

On the sand dunes today there were three paragliders doing circuits over the beach - one you can see above was "sand surfing", being dragged along the dunes by the sail. The haze in the sky is from the fire on Fraser Island.

Footprints on Carlo Sand Blow

2009-09-24T21:03:00.001-07:00

Not ant trails, but the footprints of people busy investigating the sand blow cliffs.

Discovering a camp fire

2009-08-29T03:45:00.000-07:00

On a morning walk below the Coloured Sands, we found the remnants of a camp fire - perhaps someone had been cooking the fish they just caught. We gathered dry kindling and then with lots of blowing we managed to reignite the flame. Of course, before we left, we completely extinguished it!

Coloured Sands conglomerate

2009-08-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

The most recognised images of the Coloured Sands of Rainbow Beach show bands of red and orange colours along the steep sand dune cliffs. The coloured sands formed as a result of water moving through the sand mass, depositing iron-oxide minerals and organic matter in coloured bands. Here is a conglomerate of coloured sand "pebbles" on a large boulder that must have fallen onto the beach. We're not sure how these different coloured pebbles grouped and reformed into a conglomerate like this. Double-click on the photo to see it up close.

Inskip Peninsula development controversy

2009-08-08T23:04:00.001-07:00

View to Inskip Peninsula and Fraser Island from Scribbly Gums beach house.

Even paradise has its troubles. There is a long running fight over development on Inskip Peninsula where Rainbow Shores is proposing a stage 2 development of some 6000 people (Rainbow Beach has a permanent population of around 1000 people). Because of environmental sensitivity, it appears that the Queensland Government is working on a deal to swap some Crown land. As reported in The Courier-Mail, several Government Ministers and staffers have been involved with advising with the developers over time.
A community group called Citizens Helping Inskip Peninsula (CHIP) is fighting this development. You can read more at their website about the issues for Rainbow Beach and what is happening.

This is precious land bordering a World Heritage area - it deserves absolute transparency and a decision for the better good of the environment and community.

Spectacular views from Carlo Sand Blow

2009-07-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

There is no need to go to Fraser Island to see a spectacular sand blow. The expansive Carlo Sand Blow can be found near Rainbow Beach, three hours drive north of Brisbane.

Covering around 15 hectares, Carlo Sand Blow offers beautiful 360 degree views from Double Island Point around to Tin Can Bay. You can walk down to the steep cliff face of the coloured sands from where the sands are blown up, and you can trek to the back where you see the sand slowly engulfing trees and bush as the blow inches inland.

The National Park walking track to the Carlo Sand Blow, which starts about 300 metres up the road from Scribbly Gums beach house, meanders through woodlands with massive scribbly gums and banksia. We love an early morning walk to watch the sunrise over Double Island Point or to go at sunset and watch the sun go down over the waters of Tin Can Bay inlet.

This view shows Inskip Point and the hills of Fraser Island in the background. Near the middle of this photo there is a tall pine tree with a wind sock flying from the top that is used by the paragliders. Scribbly Gums beach house is located just over the road from this tree.

You will often see paragliders taking off from the Sand Blow, joining the sea eagles making the most of the thermals along the cliffs. The sand blow was named by Captain Cook after one of his crew named Carlo.

Natural Beauty of Rainbow Beach

2009-07-20T00:50:00.000-07:00

Fresh underground water trickles from coffee rocks below a beautiful Pandanas Palm. This photo is taken on the beach just in front of the Surf Club, an area where children love to play.

Snow on the beach

2009-07-19T04:57:00.000-07:00

Walking along the beach to the coloured sands, we came across this amazing sight. Looks like snow on the beach!
Or is it a sand waterfall...

Tricky beach driving

2009-07-18T06:47:00.001-07:00

Given the privilege of driving a car along a beach that is part of a National Park, please drive with respect for the precious environment you are passing through. We also wish that people would drive SLOWLY, particularly in areas where there are people walking and children playing.

On a recent trip to Double Island Point lighthouse, we had to undertake some tricky driving. Near the Leisha Track, the sand cliffs have collapsed, sprawling trees onto the beach. This makes the beach almost impassable, except for a brief time at the lowest tide. The sand all around Rainbow Beach is constantly moving, exposing rocks one day and covering them the next. This is why so many cars get swamped taking risks. We made it out of this one!

Another one for the Rock Toll

2009-07-18T04:02:00.001-07:00

Since 2000, a surprising 258 cars have met their demise on Rainbow Beach - joining the "Rock Toll" honour roll on the wall of the Rainbow Beach Hotel. Over several days we watched this Subaru move around the beach as the tide came in and out. It was looking pretty pristine on the first day.

The next morning it's roof had been torn back and a door was missing.

A few days later it was buried up to its roof - on its way to the car graveyard deep under the sand of Rainbow Beach...

Scribbly Gums @ Rainbow Beach holiday house photos

2009-07-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone's favourite spot on the deck overlooking the ocean with views to Fraser Island, shaded by beautiful native trees. Paragliders and sea eagles often fly right by as you eat lunch!

Lounge room is part of the open-plan living, dining, kitchen area and opens onto the deck. Lounge has a TV and DVD player.

Relaxing at sunset.

Watching the paragliders pass by

Step straight into beautiful coastal woodland and stroll just a few hundred metres to the top of the sand dunes.

Details & bookings

2009-07-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

About the house

Scribbly Gums is located on Rainbow Beach's best positioned street, Cooloola Drive, which runs along the high sand dunes up to Carlo Sand Blow. Only a few houses in Rainbow Beach are ocean-front. It is lovely 10 minute walk down to the beach, shops and restaurants, while the popular Carlo Sand Blow is a short walk up the hill.

The house sleeps 8 or 9 people in 4 bedrooms. With 2 bathrooms, it is perfect for a large family, two families or a group of friends.
(Bedrooms have: 1 x King ; 1 x Queen ; 2 x Single ; 1 x bunk with single ontop and double on bottom)

Nestled beside a thin strip of National Park that runs along the sand dunes, with sweeping views to Fraser Island, the setting is private, peaceful and close to nature.

Fully self-contained kitchen
Gas oven, Microwave
BBQ & outdoor dining table and chairs
TV and DVD player
CD player and radio
2nd TV in Master bedroom
Washing machine
Single car garage

The most striking feature of the house is the large outdoor deck area where most people gather to eat, relax and soak in the incredible view.

Plenty of room for children to run around the garden and surrounding bush.

Step straight into beautiful coastal woodland and stroll just a few hundred metres to the top of the sand dunes.

See photos of the house

What you need to bring
Guests supply all bed linen, towels and tea towels, and food.

Rates
Minimum two or three night stay off peak - $475 (+ $112 for extra nights)

7 nights off peak - $780

7 nights school holidays - $1155 (19/09/2009 - 03/10/2009, 12/12/2009 - 19/12/2009, 26/06/2010 - 10/07/2010, 18/09/2010 - 02/10/2010, 13/12/2010 - 20/12/2010)

7 nights Xmas & Easter - $1505 (19 Dec 09 - 12 Jan 10)

Easter for 4 nights (minimum) - $1220 (1 Apr 10 - 10 Apr 10)

We are happy to consider discounted rates for long stays.

Inquiries
For availabilities and bookings, please email scribblygums(at)bigpond.com

Read more about why we love Rainbow Beach, what to do & see, facilities in the town

Rainbow Beach, Queensland, Australia

2009-07-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

Why we love Rainbow Beach

About three hours drive from Brisbane, Rainbow Beach is a laid-back, small beach-side settlement, with all the facilities, activities and treats needed for a wonderful holiday. Families have a great time on the beach, playgrounds and through the National Park. The beach is full of interest, from the patrolled surf area to fishing and exploring the coffee rocks, sand dunes and famous Coloured Sands. The town is very casual and easy to get around, while offering some pleasant luxuries.

Nature lovers have lots of interesting bush and beach walks with variety and spectacular scenery (see more details below on the walks). The Scribbly Gums house is a perfect setting for those seeking a relaxing break close to nature. Wake up to pretty native bird calls in the Banksia trees and finish your day watching the sun set over Tin Can Bay inlet.

The recently opened Rainbow Beach Hotel has brought a stylish new experience to the town. There are many other dining out options including Waterview Bistro (just a few minutes walk from Scribbly Gums) and Arco woodfired pizza.

For those with a 4WD you can venture over to Fraser Island and to Double Island Point. Thrill seekers and eco-experience lovers, can scuba dive at Wolf Rock, one of the world's top dive spots, paraglide and sea kayak.

Facilities & our recommendations

Shopping & groceries

Two supermarkets (including an IGA), newsagent, bakery, butcher, hardware, fishing, camping/disposal, clothes & surf wear, bottle shop
Pharmacy - only open until midday on Saturday, closed Sunday
Post Office & Commonwealth Bank outlet
Westpac ATM
A new shopping centre with Woolworths supermarket recently opened in Cooloola Cove, 15 minutes drive from Rainbow Beach.

Eating out

Spectacular Waterview Bistro just a few minutes walk up the hill from Scribbly Gums - excellent value & delicious weekend breakfasts, lunch specials, evening dining and bar
Arco woodfired pizza and coffee in the peaceful courtyard at the back of the Rainbow Beach Hotel - our favourite new dining out & coffee spot, lovely staff and scrummy pizzas, tapas
New Rainbow Beach Hotel - stunning decor inside, open fire, excellent food at the bistro, plenty of dining room upstairs and down & don't miss the Rock Toll board at the back of the bar area.
Surf Life Saving Club restaurant & Bowls Club restaurant
Gelateria - absolutely delicious, made in Rainbow Beach with Cooloola milk
Two seafood shops - Frying Fish cafe at the IGA with dine in and takeaway, and nearby Seafood with takeaway and fresh local seafood.

Other services

Doctor at various times
Rainbow Hair & Beauty Studio - lovely people
Day Spa at the new Plantation resort

Patrolled surf beach

The beach is patrolled in front of the surf lifesaving hut during school holidays and weekends from September through March.

Things to do

Walk to Carlo Sand Blow - we do this regularly from the house, as there is always lots to explore
Dolphin feeding at Tin Cay Bay (drive or take the ferry across)
Scuba Dive at Wolf Rock (grey nurse sharks, manta rays)
Sea kayaking tours - see manta rays, dolphins, turtles
Golf at Rainbow Shores
Tennis
Lawn Bowls
Canoe and boat hire from Carlo Point (Rainbow Beach side of Tin Can Bay)
Freshwater swim at Searys Creak - quite shallow, good for wading and exploring
Sky diving, paragliding
Surf School & surf board hire
Whale watching from August to October
Wildflowers in Spring

4WD beach driving -- always talk to some locals about whether the beach is currently passable at low tide (it changes all the time as sand covers rocks and then uncovers)

Drive to Double Island Point and walk up to the lighthouse - quite achievable walk for children
Day trip to Fraser Island from Inskip Point

Further afield you can Ride the Mary Valley Rattler steam train (from Gympie)

The below exceprts from an article in the Sydney Morning Herald Travel section
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Rainbow-Beach/2005/02/17/1108500203680.html
Pleasant quiet holiday spot which also serves as a gateway to Fraser Island and Cooloola National Park
Originally known as Back Beach, Rainbow Beach was renamed after the coloured sands located near the town which lies to the south of Fraser Island. It was gazetted as late as 1969 when it was established to service the local sandmining industry. Until that time there was no road to Rainbow Beach, with the only access being via boat from Tin Can Bay.

Sandmining ceased in 1976 and it has since become a quiet and idyllic holiday, fishing and retirement getaway... It caters well to beach-orientated holiday-makers. Although it has a permanent population of only around 900, about 70,000 visitors blow through town each year.
Cooloola National Park
Cooloola National Park forms the southern portion of Great Sandy National. Stretching south from Rainbow Beach to the Noosa River at Tewantin, it provides a haven for indigenous flora and fauna threatened by urban development and is characterised by open heathland, banksia woodlands, dry sclerophyll forest of scribbly gum and blackbutt, rainforest, coloured sand cliffs, attractive and extensive beaches, a plenitude of birdlife, including sea eagles, and the freshwater lakes, mangrove wetlands and tributaries associated with the Noosa River.
Great Sandy National Park incorporates and preserves the largest tract of natural land on Queensland¹s southern coast and the largest intact sand dune system in the world (around Teewah Beach). Visitors can enjoy bushwalking, picnicking, scenic drives, boating, fishing, lake and surf swimming, although the beaches are unpatrolled, sharks are common and bluebottles are present during northerly winds. Whales can be seen offshore between August and October, while dolphins and manta rays are more regular visitors.
Cooloola offers many bushwalking opportunities which are best enjoyed when the wildflowers bloom on the heathlands in Spring.
Cooloola National Park (Hang-Gliding/Carlo Sand Blow)
Rainbow Beach is popular with hang-gliders who use Carlo Sand Blow to launch out over Wide Bay. The 15-ha Blow was named by Captain Cook after one of his deck crew, named Carlo. It offers excellent views south-east to Double Island Point and the coloured sands, west to Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Straits, and north to Inskip Point and Fraser Island. Whales can sometimes be seen offshore between August and October.
A 600-metre walking track (one way) departs from Rainbow Beach water tower, at the top of Cooloola Drive, and passes through woodland to the Blow.
Cooloola National Park (Coloured Sands)
If visitors walk eastwards along the beach from the township of Rainbow Beach they will see enormous, impressive sandy cliffs, which can be up to 200 metres in height. Erosion has exposed a palette of as many as 72 different coloured sands which have been produced by combinations of iron oxide and leached vegetable dyes. It is likely that the sands have been forming since the last ice age.

Cooloola National Park (Telegraph Track and Murrawar Lookout)
From the end of Double Island Drive (which runs off Rainbow Beach Rd) walkers can commence along the Telegraph Track which follows the old telegraph line for 7 km to Bymien Picnic Area in Cooloola National Park. A 2-km detour leads to Murrawar Lookout which affords excellent views over Wide Bay, Double Island Point (which forms the eastern edge of Wide Bay) and Fraser Island.
Cooloola National Park (Double Island Point)
8 km north of Freshwater is Double Island Point which extends out to form the eastern arm of Wide Bay. It can be accessed via 4WD along the beach from either Freshwater or, at low tide, from Rainbow Beach (if coming from the latter check with a ranger regarding access past Mudlo Rocks). There is 1.1-km walking track from the very end of the Teewah Beach to the lighthouse.
Cooloola National Park (Searys Creek Walk) 7.5 km south of Rainbow Beach, along Rainbow Beach Road, there is a roadside carpark which is the start of a 100-metre walk to Searys Creek, amid heath and woodland environs.
Cooloola National Park (Bymien Picnic Area and Associated Walks)
4 km south of Rainbow Beach, along Rainbow Beach Rd, there is a turnoff on the left into Freshwater Road (unsealed but navigable in a 2WD) which passes through woodlands, climbing a steep hill to lead, after 3 km, to the rainforest environs of Bymien Picnic Area, which has small free gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets, fireplaces and disabled access. The Dandathu Circuit (250 metres) is a pleasant rainforest amble witha 2-km return sidetrack which climbs a high, rainforest-clad dune, before descending through scrub to Poona Lake. The more ambitious can continue on through scribbly gum, blackbutt and rainforest to Freshwater Camping Area - a walk of 7.3 km.
Cooloola National Park (Freshwater Camping and Day Use Area)
From Bymien it is only possible to continue along Freshwater Road in a 4WD. It is13 km to Freshwater Camping Area, which is located adjacent Teewah Beach. Free gas barbecues are available. There is a 1.3-km walk from the campground to Freshwater Lake (one way), a 2.7-km circuit walk around the lake, and the 7.3-km walk back to Bymien.