Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

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

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.

Four-wheel drive past towering coastal sand cliffs and coloured sands in the paradise of Cooloola Recreation Area. Photo credit: © Tomek Z Genek

Seary's Creek day-use area

Relax over a picnic in this pleasantly-shady spot near Seary’s Creek, and enjoy displays of colourful wildflowers and abundant birdlife.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Attraction facilities

  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets (non-flush)

On your way into Rainbow Beach, stop for a restful picnic and even a swim in the cool creek at this easy-to-get-to and popular day-use area.  Lounge over lunch in the shade of cypress pines and she-oaks then take a short stroll along Seary's Creek boardwalk to a cool, freshwater creek for a refreshing dip. Learn about Patrick Seary, a timber-getter from the 1860s who explored this region which now bears his name.

In the warmer months enjoy the sight of colour wildflowers in bloom—pink (boronias), white (blueberry ashes) and yellow (banksias and wattles)—and watch for birds such as friarbirds, kookaburras and honeyeaters.

Getting there and getting around

Seary's Creek day-use area is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

  • The day-use area is on the northern section of Cooloola, off Rainbow Beach Road, near Rainbow Beach
  • The day-use area is accessible by 2WD.

Getting to Rainbow Beach

  • From Brisbane, drive about 160km north on the Bruce Highway towards Gympie. At the southern edge of Gympie, turn onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 42km, then turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road.
  • From Maryborough, drive 57km south on the Cooloola Coast Road, then turn left onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 3.5km, then turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road.
  • Drive 16km along Rainbow Beach Road and turn into the Seary's Creek day-use area car park on your left.

From Rainbow Beach

  • From the Rainbow Beach QPWS Information Centre, drive 7.5km on the Rainbow Beach Road to the Seary's Creek day-use area.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Seary's Creek day-use area is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Recreation Area safely.

View all park alerts