Cooloola offers something for all visitors. Four-wheel drive past towering coastal sand cliffs and coloured sands, fish straight from the ocean, canoe on tranquil waterways, hike through rainforest remnants and across vast sandblows and camp among blooming wildflowers.
Location
North of Brisbane, between Noosa Heads (about 155km) and Rainbow Beach (about 240km).
Welcome
Traditional Owners have a long and ongoing relationship with the area that falls under Queensland’s national parks and forests. In order to acknowledge the important connection with Indigenous people, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) urges visitors to treat the country through which they walk with respect and care.
Accessible by
- 4WD
Park facilities
- Barbecue (wood/fuel/coin)
- Generators allowed (conditions apply)
- Information centre
- Lookout
- Park office
- Picnic tables (some sheltered)
- Telephone (pay phone)
- Toilets
- Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
- Wifi
- Tent camping
- Caravan camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Showers
- Boating
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Sailing
- Walking
- Nesting birds
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![Land your kayak or canoe at the paddlecraft landing area on the shore of Fig Tree Lake.]()
Land your kayak or canoe at the paddlecraft landing area on the shore of Fig Tree Lake.
Photo credit: © Lachlan Gardiner
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![Wind down the window and enjoy a 4WD adventure on the Cooloola beach drive.]()
Wind down the window and enjoy a 4WD adventure on the Cooloola beach drive.
Photo credit: © Lise Pedersen
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![At Noosa North Shore horseriding on Cooloola's southern beach you can enjoy a great day ride.]()
At Noosa North Shore horseriding on Cooloola's southern beach you can enjoy a great day ride.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Explore an immense expanse of sand with great views on the Carlo Sandblow walk—a must do for every visitor.]()
Explore an immense expanse of sand with great views on the Carlo Sandblow walk—a must do for every visitor.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Pitch your tent at Poverty Point camping area and enjoy the tranquilty of Tin Can Inlet.]()
Pitch your tent at Poverty Point camping area and enjoy the tranquilty of Tin Can Inlet.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Everybody loves a lighthouse! Don't miss Cooloola's lighthouse on the Double Island Point lighthouse walk.]()
Everybody loves a lighthouse! Don't miss Cooloola's lighthouse on the Double Island Point lighthouse walk.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Don't miss sunrise over the Noosa River at Dutgee walkers' camp.]()
Don't miss sunrise over the Noosa River at Dutgee walkers' camp.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy ocean views from your camp site at Teewah Beach camping area.]()
Enjoy ocean views from your camp site at Teewah Beach camping area.
Photo credit: © Lise Pedersen
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 1]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 2]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 3]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 4]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 5]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 6]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Image of Teewah Beach camping area zone 7]()
Use existing camp sites and access tracks to reduce visitor impact. Bring sand pegs and do not tie ropes to trees.
Photo credit: Erin Atkinson © Qld Government
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![Pitch your tent in the Freshwater camping area—a perfect bush camping setting within walking distance to the beach.]()
Pitch your tent in the Freshwater camping area—a perfect bush camping setting within walking distance to the beach.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Set up camp on the sandy banks of Tin Can Inlet at Poverty Point camping area.]()
Set up camp on the sandy banks of Tin Can Inlet at Poverty Point camping area.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Set on the northern shore of Fig Tree Lake, Fig Tree Point camping area is a perfect stop for kayakers, canoeists and boaties.]()
Set on the northern shore of Fig Tree Lake, Fig Tree Point camping area is a perfect stop for kayakers, canoeists and boaties.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Relax riverside and enjoy a star filled sky and moonlit reflections off the Upper Noosa River at Harrys camping area.]()
Relax riverside and enjoy a star filled sky and moonlit reflections off the Upper Noosa River at Harrys camping area.
Photo credit: © Lachlan Gardiner
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![Watch the sunset over the water and listen as the bird calls come to life from the jetty at this river-side campsite.]()
Watch the sunset over the water and listen as the bird calls come to life from the jetty at this river-side campsite.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Dock your canoe or kayak at the canoe landing area and enjoy the pleasant surrounds of this river-side campsite.]()
Park your canoe or kayak at the canoe landing area and enjoy the pleasant surrounds of this river-side campsite.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![A popular destination for day visitors and campers alike, Campsite 3 has two large jetties for mooring boats, canoes and kayaks.]()
A popular destination for day visitors and campers alike, Campsite 3 has two large jetties for mooring boats, canoes and kayaks.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Paddle up to the sandy northern bank of the upper Noosa River at this camp site.]()
Paddle up to the sandy northern bank of the Upper Noosa River at this campsite.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Beyond the forested river bank a short track winds through a gully to Upper Noosa River campsite 8.]()
Beyond the forested river bank a short track winds through a gully to Upper Noosa River campsite 8.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![At Upper Noosa River campsite 9, your home away from home for the night is only a short walk from the river.]()
At Upper Noosa River campsite 9, your home away from home for the night is only a short walk from the river.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Pull up a log and soak up the peaceful surroundings at Upper Noosa River campsite 13.]()
Pull up a log and soak up the peaceful surroundings at Upper Noosa River campsite 13.
Photo credit: © Steven Nowakowski
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![Enjoy the wilderness of Upper Noosa River campsite 15, a quiet location great for couples who want an adventure holiday.]()
Enjoy the wilderness of Upper Noosa River campsite 15, a quiet location great for couples who want an adventure holiday.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Photo of the tree-lined waterhole, reflecting]()
Don't miss the stunning reflection of the trees on the tannin-stained water at Neebs Waterhole.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy the tranquil tannin-stained waters of Wandi Waterhole, just a short walk from the camping area.]()
Enjoy the tranquil tannin-stained waters of Wandi Waterhole, just a short walk from the camping area.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Photo of a peaceful tree-lined creek.]()
At the end of the Boronia walk, stop at Kin Kin Creek to listen to the birds and look for aquatic life.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Discover fields of spiky grass trees along this river-side walk.]()
Discover fields of spiky grass trees along this river-side walk.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Marvel at this immense 'sandscape' offering awesome views on the walk to Carlo Sandblow—a must do for every visitor.]()
Marvel at this immense 'sandscape' offering awesome views on the walk to Carlo Sandblow—a must do for every visitor.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Take your camera on the Coloured Sands beach walk where spectacular eroded cliff lines expose swirls of coloured sands.]()
Take your camera on the Coloured Sands beach walk where spectacular eroded cliff lines expose swirls of coloured sands.
Photo credit: Briony Masters © Queensland Government
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![Hike the vast sand dunes on the Cooloola Great Walk.]()
Hike the vast sand dunes on the Cooloola Great Walk.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Photo of a sandy expanse, with trees and ocean in the background]()
Take a walk across the Cooloola Sand Patch and be rewarded with panoramic views.
Photo credit: © Sue Gregory
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![Are you a 4WD enthusiast? Then don't miss the Cooloola beach drive.]()
Are you a 4WD enthusiast? Then don't miss the Cooloola beach drive.
Photo credit: © Lise Pedersen
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![Get adventurous on the Cooloola Way 4WD track—a rough track through pine plantations.]()
Get adventurous on the Cooloola Way 4WD track—a rough track through pine plantations.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Explore the serene environments of the Cooloola Wildnerness Trail.]()
Explore the serene environments of the Cooloola Wildnerness Trail.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Step back in time along the short but steep walk to the historic Double Island Point lighthouse.]()
Step back in time along the short but steep walk to the historic Double Island Point lighthouse.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Spectacular views await you on the Double Island Point walk.]()
Spectacular views await you on the Double Island Point walk.
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Peer skyward to take in the tall palms and search for elkhorn and staghorn ferns in the canopy along the Dundathu circuit.]()
Peer skyward to take in the tall palms and search for elkhorn and staghorn ferns in the canopy along the Dundathu circuit.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Peer through the trees that frame the edges of the lake to catch picture perfect views along the Freshwater Lake circuit track.]()
Peer through the trees that frame the edges of the lake to catch picture perfect views along the Freshwater Lake circuit track.
Photo credit: © Robert Ashdown
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![Take a moment lakeside and admire the brilliant reflections on the Freshwater Lake walk.]()
Take a moment lakeside and admire the brilliant reflections on the Freshwater Lake walk.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Drive through rainforest, open woodland and tall eucalypt forest, along this rough 4WD track, before emerging onto the beach.]()
Drive through rainforest, open woodland and tall eucalypt forest, along this rough 4WD track, before emerging onto the beach.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Explore the melaleuca and scribbly gum woodlands along the Harry's Hut Road 4WD track.]()
Explore the melaleuca and scribbly gum woodlands along the Harrys Hut Road 4WD track.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Wander along the Kinaba Information Centre walk from Elanda Point to the shores of Lake Cootharaba.]()
Wander along the Kinaba Information Centre walk from Elanda Point to the shores of Lake Cootharaba.
Photo credit: Shelley Novello © Queensland Government
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![The Kings Bore circuit 4WD track is an inland circuit drive for experienced four-wheel drivers.]()
The Kings Bore circuit 4WD track is an inland circuit drive for experienced four-wheel drivers.
Photo credit: © Bluedog Photography
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![Discover paperbark trees, cabbage palms, scribbly gums and blue gum forests along the Melaleuca circuit.]()
Discover paperbark trees, cabbage palms, scribbly gums and blue gum forests along the Melaleuca circuit.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Go back in time to the late 1800s at the Mill Point Settlement site where remnants of this flourishing timber mill township remain today.]()
Go back in time to the late 1800s at the Mill Point Settlement site where remnants of this flourishing timber mill township remain today.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Dogs on leashes are only permitted on the beach between the 1st beach access cutting on Noosa North Shore and on the beach at the northern end of Teewah township.]()
Dogs on leashes are only permitted on the beach between the 1st beach access cutting on Noosa North Shore and on the beach at the northern end of Teewah township.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![For a great ocean-side ride on the Sunshine Coast, don't miss the Noosa North Shore horseriding area.]()
For a great ocean-side ride on the Sunshine Coast, don't miss the Noosa North Shore horseriding area.
Photo credit: © Bluedog Photography
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![Escape the crowds of Noosa main beach along the Noosa River beach drive.]()
Escape the crowds of Noosa main beach along the Noosa River beach drive.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Discover the hidden melaleuca-lined Poona Lake. Sit back, relax and take in the beauty of this secluded oasis.]()
Discover the hidden melaleuca-lined Poona Lake. Sit back, relax and take in the beauty of this secluded oasis.
Photo credit: © Ben Blanche
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![Take a nice quiet drive along the Poverty Point 4WD track from Rainbow Beach Road to Poverty Point camping area.]()
Take a nice quiet drive along the Poverty Point 4WD track from Rainbow Beach Road to Poverty Point camping area.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Take a refreshing dip at Seary's Creek or sit back and let the creek sounds relax and unwind you.]()
Take a refreshing dip at Seary's Creek or sit back and let the creek sounds relax and unwind you.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Take a moment before starting the Teewah Beach walk and soak up the peace and tranquility of Lake Cootharaba from Teewah Landing.]()
Take a moment before starting the Teewah Beach walk and soak up the peace and tranquility of Lake Cootharaba from Teewah Landing.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Embark on the ultimate canoeing adventure and experience the best remote river camping along the Upper Noosa River waterway.]()
Embark on the ultimate canoeing adventure and experience the best remote river camping along the Upper Noosa River waterway.
Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government
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![Stop for a cool, shady picnic among the rainforest at the Bymien day-use area.]()
Stop for a cool, shady picnic among the rainforest at the Bymien day-use area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Moor your boat at the jetty on the northern fringe of Fig Tree Lake and enjoy a picnic at Fig Tree Point day-use area.]()
Moor your boat at the jetty on the northern fringe of Fig Tree Lake and enjoy a picnic at Fig Tree Point day-use area.
Photo credit: © Lachlan Gardiner
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![Stretch your legs after a long beach drive or enjoy a bbq lunch at the Freshwater day-use area.]()
Stretch your legs after a long beach drive or enjoy a bbq lunch at the Freshwater day-use area.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Drop into the Great Sandy Information Centre during business hours to have a chat to our friendly staff.]()
Drop into the Great Sandy Information Centre during business hours to have a chat to our friendly staff.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![Go for a paddle, throw in a fishing line or just sit back and take in the views of the Upper Noosa River at this popular day-use area.]()
Go for a paddle, throw in a fishing line or just sit back and take in the views of the Upper Noosa River at this popular day-use area.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
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![Sitting at the entrance to the Upper Noosa River, the information centre is a great place to rest up after crossing the lake before exploring the narrow river channel.]()
Sitting at the entrance to the Upper Noosa River, the information centre is a great place to rest up after crossing the lake before exploring the narrow river channel.
Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
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![From the day-use area, take a short stroll to the creek, perfect for a dip on a hot summer's day.]()
From the day-use area, take a short stroll to the creek, perfect for a dip on a hot summer's day.
Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
Highlights and announcements
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Image credit© Queensland Government![Drone view photo of two four-wheel-drive vehicles travelling along a broad sandy beach marked with many tyre tracks. To the right, gentle waves roll in from a turquoise ocean, while green vegetated dunes line the coastline on the left.]()
A Ranger’s guide to driving on sand | Teewah Beach to Double Island Point
Experience Cooloola Recreation Area, from the POV of Senior Ranger Scott. Learn his tips and tricks for driving on sand and having a safe off-roading adventure in this stunning part of Queensland.
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Image creditDouble Island Point lighthouse.© Queensland Government![Photo of Double Island Point lighthouse.]()
Discover Cooloola through a Ranger’s eyes
Cooloola means something special to Ranger Scott—and he wants visitors to experience it too. Learn how he became a Senior Ranger, what he loves about the region, and why caring for this environment is such a privilege. Come and discover Cooloola for yourself.
- Upper Noosa River CLOSED due to flooding 25 October to 4 November 2026
- Seasonal closure – Cooloola Great Walk 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027
- Pest Control Program in Cooloola Recreation Area 31 October to 28 November 2026
- Drive with care during marine turtle nesting season 1 November 2026 to 1 May 2027
- Water across Cooloola Wilderness Trail 8 September to 8 November 2026
- Permanent fire prohibition on Teewah Beach 1 April 2021 to 3 July 2027
- Natural Sand Movement and access to Double Island Point 5 December 2025 to 5 December 2026
- Exposed sand cliff and dune landslide danger 28 March 2025 to 25 March 2027
- Partial Park closure – Cooloola Wilderness Trail: no pedestrian access across Kin Kin Creek 14 January 2026 to 14 January 2027
Conditions report
Cooloola conditions report Updated 30 Sep 2026
Critical information for your safety is included in the conditions report—always check it before you visit.