Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

Wander along the Kinaba Information Centre walk from Elanda Point to the shores of Lake Cootharaba. Photo credit: Shelley Novello © Queensland Government

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. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

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. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Kinaba Information Centre walk

Encounter revegetated farmlands, eucalypt woodlands, paperbarks and cabbage palm wetlands on the way to an information centre overlooking Lake Cootharaba.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
12.2km (return) return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 4.5hr walking time.
Grade
Grade 3 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Journey facilities

  • Toilets (flush)
  • Walking

From the Elanda Point car park stroll through woodlands and wetlands along Kin Kin Creek to the Kinaba Information Centre. As you walk, marvel at the rehabilitation efforts at Elanda Plains, previously cleared farmland that is being revegetated. Over a 10 year period rangers and community groups propagated seeds collected on park, planting close to 1 million native trees!

At the centre, enjoy glorious views over Lake Cootharaba from the viewing deck and learn about the Upper Noosa River waterway. If you are exploring the waterway by canoe, kayak or boat, tie up your watercraft at the front steps of the centre and set off on the walk in the opposite direction before retracing your steps.

Refer to the Cooloola and Inskip recreation areas discovery guide (PDF, 4.8MB) for a map and more details.

Getting there and getting around

Kinaba Information Centre walk 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 walk is in the southern part of Cooloola, on the northern shore of Lake Cootharaba.
  • It can be accessed from Elanda Point.
  • The first 2.8km of track ventures along the Cooloola Wilderness Trail before branching off to the east for another 3.3km to the Kinaba Information Centre.
  • Read walk with care for tips on walking safely and walking lightly.

Getting to Elanda Point

  • From Brisbane drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin; or from Gympie drive 58km south and east on the Bruce Highway to Tewantin.
  • From Tewantin drive 19km west and north via McKinnon Drive and Louis Bazzo Drive to Boreen Point. Turn left onto Lake Flat Road and drive 2km to the Elanda Point access road.
  • Travel 1.4km to the Elanda Point QPWS car park and the start of the walk.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Drinking water

  • Tap water at the Kinaba Information Centre is not suitable for drinking.
  • Do not drink from Lake Cootharaba as it is salt water.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Kinaba Information Centre walk 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 and Walk with care.

View all park alerts