Rainbow Beach holiday house

About the new Carlo Sand Blow walk

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The beautiful Carlo Sand Blow bush walk at Rainbow Beach takes you through eucalypt forest and rainforest with diverse towering trees, shrubs, ferns, flowers, sedge, vines, and grass trees along the way. Of course, September is wildflower season, so a particularly beautiful time to go. Much of the walk is under the dappled shade of the forest, so it is lovely even in the heat of summer.

The trail commences at the QPWS (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service) office (situated on the right as you drive in Rainbow). Or, you can walk to the start via the Double Island Drive fire break (walk to the top end of Double Island Drive and turn right onto the fire break). It is approximately 2.8km to the Carlo Sandblow.

At the peak of the walk, you will emerge from the forest onto the high, southern side of Carlo Sand Blow, where the 'moonscape' of windblown sand before you is breathtaking.

Carlo Sand Blow is part of the huge accumulation of windblown sand known as the Cooloola sandmass. Wind is carrying sand across a forest and burying everything in its wake.
From points around the sandblow, enjoy stunning 180-degree views over Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay, the Coloured Sands, Double Island Point, Fraser Island and Inskip Peninsula.

Once you are at this point of the blow you can either return the same way you came, or continue across the sand blow to the viewing platform, follow the track to the car park, and then down Cooloola Drive through town to wherever you started from!

Spotted on the walk

Early on the walk, you'll come across patches of this mysterious feathery brush-like plant with distinctive 'burnt' brown rings on the stem. It looks like a cross between a fern and a pine! It is in fact a class of plants known as a 'sedge'. Caustis Blakei, or Foxtails. We searched widely to try to find what it was and eventually I joined a Facebook Plant Identification Group, who were able to name it.

It has inflorescence, not leaves.

From NoosaLandcare.org: This sedge can be found in wallum woodland and dominating the grass species in Scribbly Gum or Blackbutt forests on sand islands - the coastal lowlands being a preferred habitat. It ranges from Bundaberg in QLD to Taree in NSW and also in the Greater Brisbane Region west to Helidon. The flowering ‘tails’ are 20- 50cm long but many plants have non-flowering (infertile) branches these each with clusters of branchlets. C.blakei has rigid, erect, smooth stems up to 2m tall.

This massive Scribbly Gum must be hundreds of years old. No doubt it was standing when Captain Cook sailed past and named the sand mass, Carlo Sandblow.

Did you know that at the end of every scribble trail there is a loop, where the grub circles back and starts re-consuming the trail it has been on. You can also see here how the grub has grown in size as it has eaten its way from the thinnest line to the thicker line.

Don't miss the turn, unless you want to walk to Double Island Point! Here you also join the very last section of the Cooloola Great Walk, a five day 102km trek from Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach. 200 metres to go to the blow!

Just after the turn off, look out for our tree fondly known as "the booby tree".

Fascinating burl on a gum, bark stripped away above but clinging on below.

The sun is starting to set through the Eucalypt forest. We timed the walk perfectly!

Arriving at the Sandblow

Listen out for wonderful birdlife twittering in the banksias (including tiny birds with a big song that we think they may be Mistletoe-birds). Look overhead for birds of prey, such as brahminy and whistling kites.

Best places for family fun at Rainbow Beach (kinda secret too)

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Have your own Tom Sawyer adventure exploring along freshwater Searys Creek. On a hot day, get there early to avoid the crowds. You could catch a massive eel on your GoPro! Remember your googles or snorkelling mask too. Please take care with the delicate environment of the creek and only use the steps and boardwalks. It is part of the National Park.

Swimming under the old logging bridge at Searys Creek is a team effort. As parents you would already know to supervise your children at all times while swimming under there.

Sand tobogganing at Carlo Sand Blow on sunset. How spectacular is this place. James Cook knew a good sand blow when he saw one! Take something to help you slide such as a boogie board with a really smooth bottom. Sitting down is a good idea because we've seen some nasty stacks when people try to stand up - normally backpackers pushing the limits!

Sand tobogganing is another great spot to capture Go Pro action.

Learning to surf at "North Beach" near Double Island Point. This is one of the top surfing spots in Australia because of the very long and gentle break. To get here from Rainbow Beach you need a 4WD and to work in with the tide times - and remember to leave enough time to get back! There are no toilets or water, so take plenty of snacks and drinks. It is a wonderful place to hang out for as many hours as you can. The shallows are sheltered and there are rocks to explore. You may spot dolphins, and whales in migration season. From the beach you can also walk up to the Double Island Point Lighthouse (about 20 minutes uphill).

And, of course, more Go Pro footage so that you can preserve forever the memories of your fun adventures at Rainbow Beach.

We hope you enjoy these best places for family fun at Rainbow Beach. All these "secret spots" are very special to us and many other families. Please take care of the precious natural environment while enjoying them, and take all your rubbish away.

Paragliders in the sky over lunch

2015-12-15T05:41:00.001+10:00

Carlo Sand Blow is a very popular spot from which paragliders launch, and Scribbly Gums is under the flight path as they ride the updraft along the sand dunes on their way to land down near the Surf Lifesaving tower. It's pretty special to spot their colourful canopies while eating lunch.

According to Paragliding Rainbow Beach, a paraglider is a lightweight foot-launched glider with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a hollow fabric wing whose shape is formed by its suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside. Paragliders can fly for hundreds of kilometres and many hours. Carlo Sand Blow is one of the top 10 coastal launch sites in the world.

Lunch on the deck at Scribbly Gums.

Mother whale protects calf caught in net off Rainbow Beach

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Photo from Gympietimes.com.au

On 16 October, a five-metre-long humpback whale calf became entangled in shark nets just off Rainbow Beach. Thankfully, the whale was freed by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol's marine animal release team in a five hour operation.

The Gympie Times reported that witnesses on the beach said the mother seemed agitated as the rescuers cut the net from the calf. The massive humpback breached and tail-slapped the water many times before swimming in a continuous circuit to check on her calf.

These photos tell the story of this amazing mother protecting her baby. Despite the rubber duckie boats and other threats to her safety, the whale stayed guarding her calf.

These gentle giants of the sea are sentient creatures that need our protection. Scientific studies have shown that whales and dolphins demonstrate self-awareness, suffering and a social culture - not deserving of being treated as an animal commodity to be harvested from the sea (source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk)

Photo from 7 news Yahoo

Learn more about why and when whales migrate past Rainbow Beach >

Hidden gem north of Noosa - discover it before everyone else does!

2015-10-27T06:55:00.003+10:00

What a fantastic wrap up of the fun and adventure to be found at Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point ... so good that it may not be the hidden gem we all love much longer!

The video is a great promo for several Rainbow Beach businesses, including Epic Ocean Adventures who run surfing lessons and dolphin view kayak trips off Double Island Point.

On their website, Epic Ocean Adventures says: We know we have the most spectacular uncrowded location in Oz. There is no better place to learn to surf in Australia. Double Island Point is a long sandy point break making the easiest and safest wave to learn on. Because it is only accessed by 4wd this makes it less crowded than many other locations with plenty of waves for everyone. The boys have first time surfers getting rides 100’s of meters long.
Double Island Point is remote and relativley untouched making it a very popular place for many different types of marine life. Don't be too surprised if Bottlenose dolphins pass you by whilst surfing or a turtle pops up in the crystal clear sandy shallows for a breath of air.
Dolphin View Kayaking tours are also run at Double Island Point. This is a special place for wildlife as it always seems to be abuzz with marine life. Whales (in season) have numbered 16000 passing by last season and are growing strongly every year. Dolphins, manta rays, turtles, sting rays, sea birds and soldier crabs in their thousands. It’s a great place to see local marine life in their habitat, in the wild.

And who doesn't have the dream of riding a horse along a beautiful beach? Rainbow Beach Horse Rides. Here's what they say about their horse riding tours:

Rainbow Beach Horse Rides is owned and created by Andrew and Kirsty McCarthy, along with their two children Courtney and Zac. They own high quality horses that are as experienced mustering under helicopters as they are walking along the beach.

Rainbow Beach is located in south east Queensland, approximately 3 hours north of Brisbane. It is an incredibly spectacular ocean beach nestled nearby the World Heritage listed Fraser Island.

Whilst riding on the pristine white sands with Rainbow Beach Horse Rides during the whale season, it is very likely that you will see whales breaching or dolphins playing in the beautiful turquoise waters.

Rainbow Beach has been internationally rated in the top 5 "Most Incredible Beaches of the World" and the "Third most colourful beach in the world.

Rainbow Beach Horse Rides have the only permit in existence to operate horse rides on this environmentally sensitive stretch of pristine coastline which is surrounded by World Heritage listed National Park.

It is amazing that you can drive a 4WD along the beach. We just hope that everyone drives responsibly and respects the incredible privilege of being able to do so.

Please don't speed, don't drive over sensitive vegetation and sand dunes, and please don't leave your rubbish.

Wood-fired pizza at the beach - Arcobaleno

2015-10-06T22:16:00.000+10:00

Tucked behind the Rainbow Beach hotel in a peaceful courtyard, you will find Arcobaleno Italian restaurant serving delicious wood fired pizza. We have been eating out at Arcobaleno for several years under the current and former management and have always enjoyed friendly service and great food.

Pancakes and coffee after a lovely walk along the beach towards the Coloured Sands.

The open courtyard means that our little dog can also join us after the walk on the beach.

Find Arcobaleno Rainbow Beach on Facebook

Why did the sink hole happen at Rainbow Beach?

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Sink hole north of Rainbow Beach. Image source: www.abc.net.au Facebook: Kieren Hudson

It might be time to experience camping at Inskip Point before it disappears. Inskip Peninsula is an isthmus of sand that once connected Fraser Island with the mainland, but is now separated and is just a thin strip of sand sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Tin Can Bay.

Inskip is one of the most popular camping spots in South East Queensland hosting thousands of campers during school holidays. It lies across a small channel of water from the southern tip of Fraser Island at the entrance to Tin Can Bay, 10 minutes drive north of Queensland's Rainbow Beach. Most people travelling to Fraser Island drive from Rainbow Beach north along the peninsula to Inskip point, from where they catch a barge across to the southern tip of Fraser Island.

Around 11pm on Saturday, 26 September, a car, a caravan and a camping trailer were swallowed by a giant sinkhole that opened up at the Inskip Point camping ground. Thankfully no people were injured. Police estimated the hole to be about 100 metres by 100 metres and around three metres deep.

The last sink hole occurred in 2011 a little further north of this one at the MV Beagle campsite, which is about half way up the peninsula. There are plenty of opinions about why the sink hole happened at Rainbow Beach. However, it is actually one of many that have occurred over the years and which will continue to happen.

On the Clayton's Towing Facebook page, Debbie Campbell Myers posted this excerpt from The Brisbane Courier of 3 July 1901

LANDSLIP AT INSKIP The harbour-master at Maryborough (Captain Boult) has Informed the Port master that the coxswain at Inskip had advised him that a land-slip has occurred there, by which a truck and part of the boat tram gear was lost, but the boats and a spare bar buoy were saved with difficulty. The beacon and light-stand near the boatshed are liable to go at any time. There is now 14ft. of water near the beacon, and the next spring tides will show whether any more trouble may be expected.

Back in 2011, the Brisbane Times reported this opinion as to why the sink hole happened at Rainbow Beach:

Canberra-based landslide and disaster risk management scientist Dr Marion Leiba said the dramatic sinkhole-like conditions were likely caused by an “eddy” or “loop” current creating turbulence in the water and destabilising sand.

``Sand is permeable which means the water gets in to it and when you get enough water pressure, it holds the grains apart and it turns in to quicksand,'' she said.

``It loses cohesion and it just sort of collapses down. It's just sort of sucked down in to the bottom of the water."


View of Inskip looking south to Rainbow Beach - showing point where barges depart to Fraser Island (Double Island Point in the very far distance). Given the Pacific Ocean is crashing into one side, there is no surprise that the peninsula is slowly subsiding into the ocean. Image source: http://4wdaction.com.au

Image source: http://indicatorloops.com/inskip.htm

The Wide Bay Bar at the entrance to the channel between Fraser and Inskip is notoriously treacherous. If you love history, check out this fabulous recounting of the history of the Inskip Point Light and Signal Station.

This film was recorded in 2005, moments earlier they were a number of 4X4 parked in this section of beach with guys fishing near by. These sink holes appear every now and again along Inskip Beach near where the ferrys cross between Inskip Point and Fraser Island.

Dog friendly accommodation Rainbow Beach

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Scribbly Gums beach house accommodation at Rainbow Beach welcomes your dog to stay. The back garden and deck area is fenced. Dogs are not allowed inside the house, but can sleep in the laundry or garage.

There is lots of fun for dogs and their people down on the beach - just be careful of the waves coming in when you are climbing around the rocks at high tide!

Please note the terms and conditions that apply for dogs including an additional cleaning fee. You can find out more information on the holiday letting agent's website.

Dog friendly accommodation at Rainbow Beach. Beautiful morning walks along Rainbow Beach.

Carlo Sand Blow

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We never tire of taking new people to explore all corners of Carlo Sand Blow. The wind rushing up from the ocean over the expanse of sand blows away all other thoughts. From the striking beauty of the coloured sand cliff edge to sand tobaganning, sand dune sprints and admiring the coastal vegetation.

Carlo Sand Blow is accessed from the top of Cooloola Drive. From the car park is a moderate 10 minute walk that is easily accomplished by young children. Once at the sand blow you can spend a brief time admiring the view from the platform or spend hours wandering the extremes -- to the back end where the sand is creeping towards the houses in Rainbow Beach, to the cliffs on the ocean side and up the sides!

Horse rides back at Rainbow Beach

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Rainbow Beach Horse Rides is owned and operated by Andrew and Kirsty McCarthy, along with their two children Courtney and Zac. They own high quality horses that are as experienced mustering under helicopters as they are walking along the beach. The quality and standard of these horses is second to none in this industry.

Rainbow Beach Horse Rides is located approximately three hours drive North of Brisbane, which is the capital city of Queensland in Australia. It is one of the best beach horse riding experiences in Australia along with Tassiriki Ranch Beach Horse Riding in Northern New South Wales. It is an incredibly spectacular ocean beach nestled in the lee of the World Heritage listed Fraser Island and the Famous Coloured Sands of Rainbow Beach. It is truly a spectacular natures wonderland.

Raimbow Beach horse rides offers a range of different rides to suit every preference and riding ability.
The standard ride is a 1 1/2 hour horse riding adventure along Rainbow Beach, the cost of which is $80. They personalise rides for families to allow children to participate safely. They also offer a day ride with lunch at the popular 'Silky Oak Tea Gardens' where you literally step off your horse and enjoy relaxed dining and absorb the ambience of this wonderful relaxed dining location.

Check out their Facebook page that has lots of photos of recent rides.

Searys Creek, Rainbow Beach

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During April 2012, we visited Searys Creek, a beautiful freshwater creek in the Great Sandy National Park near Rainbow Beach, Queensland.

The kids adore the adventure of swimming along this bush creek with a white sandy bottom - even with the eels! Our tip is to arrive early and you will often find yourselves the only people there. The water is always "crisp" but on a hot Summer's day it is divine.

At Searys Creek you can enjoy a little piece of what Fraser Island is famous for...without leaving the mainland. The water is fresh and clean ... the reddish colour of the water is due to tannin from the tea tree leaves.

You can even discover the remants of an old wooden bridge - we assume from when this was the main road into town for loggers?

Winter bliss at Rainbow Beach

2011-07-11T10:14:00.000+10:00

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

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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

2010-07-19T16:54:00.000+10:00

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

2010-07-12T22:41:00.000+10:00

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

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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

2010-05-22T15:27:00.000+10:00

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

2010-04-29T21:16:00.000+10:00

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 Double Island Point 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.

If you are looking for the best water bottle, visit Biome in Brisbane for a wide range of drink bottles, glass water bottles, stainless steel, leak proof and BPA free water bottles.

Favourite treats - where to eat in Rainbow Beach

2009-10-11T22:40:00.000+10:00

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

2009-09-25T20:46:00.000+10:00

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

2009-09-25T14:36:00.000+10:00

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

2009-09-25T14:03:00.001+10:00

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

Discovering a camp fire

2009-08-29T20:45:00.001+10:00

On a morning walk below the Coloured Sands of Rainbow Beach (Queensland), 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!

If you're in to Pinterest, check out this page with hiking and camping ideas. Find camping supplies

Coloured Sands conglomerate

2009-08-20T21:13:00.000+10:00

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

2009-08-09T16:04:00.001+10:00

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.