Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

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

Walking tracks summary

    Walk safely

    • Prior to arrival, check Park Alerts and the Cooloola conditions report (PDF, 4.4MB) (updated regularly) for park closures or warnings about issues, such as floods, fires, road and walking track conditions and scheduled maintenance.
    • As a result of track or campsite closures, trips may need to be cancelled at short notice; be prepared to make alternative arrangements.
    • Walk in groups and supervise children at all times.
    • Do not walk in remote areas without being prepared. Learn or revise map and compass navigational skills. Be trained in remote area first aid and be prepared for emergencies.
    • Carry sufficient water when walking, and treat all water collected from taps, lakes or watercourses before drinking.
    • Carry a first aid kit and have someone in the group who is a current first aider.
    • Allow plenty of time to reach destinations well before dark.
    • Do not walk after heavy rain as low-lying areas and creek crossings will be flooded.
    • Mosquitoes are more abundant at Kinaba and Fig Tree Point at certain times of the year.
    • Avoid bites as some mosquitoes carry Ross River and Barmah Forest virus.
    • Wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing and use insect repellent for protection.
    • When walking along roads or beaches, ensure visibility to drivers.
    • Consider wearing high visibility vests or reflective material on backpacks and clothing.
    • Read walk with care guidelines for further information.

    Long distance walking

    A reasonable level of fitness is required for any of the long-distance walks in Cooloola. Take a map, compass, personal locator beacon (PLB), food, drinking water, appropriate clothing, tent and first aid kit. Plan for safety and advise a reliable friend or family member of the itinerary. This person is responsible for alerting police if the walkers do not return on time. Work out a contingency plan. Always check track conditions just before starting and observe any closures or track signage. Long walks can be strenuous in high summer temperatures. Choose to walk in the cooler months—late March to September.

    Most of Cooloola’s walking tracks are Grade 4 walking tracks, except for some boardwalk tracks (Searys Creek and Kinaba) and the shorter tracks, which are Grade 2 and Grade 3.

    Take time to read the classification details before walking out into the park. Study the map (PDF, 1.7MB) in detail.

    Cooloola walking tracks

    Cooloola Wilderness Trail

    Grade 4

    • Distance: 47.9km one way
    • Time: Allow 3–5 days
    • Details: A long-distance overnight walking experience, with wilderness camping areas (no facilities).

    Cooloola Great Walk

    Grade 4

    • Distance: 102km one way
    • Time: Allow 5 days
    • Details: A wonderful 5-day hike. Four small walkers’ camps, each with untreated drinking water, composting hybrid toilet system, platform tables and food security boxes. Tank water not guaranteed.
    • Do not attempt this 5-day hike without a topographic map.

    Walking track details

    Walking track numbers correspond to their location on the map of the Cooloola and Inskip Discovery Guide (PDF, 4.8MB) .

    Map ref.TrackGradeDistance/timeDescription
    1 Teewah Beach walkGrade 3

    4km return

    Allow 1.5hr

    		 Boat or canoe to the landing jetty. Walk through heath and woodland to the beach. Optional 4km return track up Mt Seawah—spectacular views.
    2 Kinaba Information Centre walkGrade 3

    12.2km return

    Allow 4.5hr

    		 This walk from Elanda Point goes through paperbark forest and cabbage tree palms to Lake Cootharaba.
    3 Mill Point circuitGrade 3

    5.1km circuit

    Allow 2hr

    		 Relatively flat track with short self-guided section about the history of Mill Point.
    4 Melaleuca circuitGrade 3

    400m circuit

    Allow 30min

    		 A short stroll through wetland and eucalypt forest.
    5 Boronia walkGrade 3

    3.6km return

    Allow 2hr

    		 This walk goes to Kin Kin Creek, through open woodland, and showcases wildflowers in spring.
    6 Campsite 3 walkGrade 4

    14km return

    Allow 6hr

    		 Boat across the river then walk along the riverbank through woodland and wallum to Campsite 3.
    7 Cooloola Sand Patch walkGrade 4

    12km return

    Allow 5hr

    		 First 600m is easy walking, then a steep, but shaded climb for 2.8km to the edge of the sandpatch.
    8 Searys Creek boardwalkGrade 2

    200m return

    Allow 30min

    		Take a short stroll on a boardwalk through creekside vegetation ending at two viewpoints.
    9 Dundathu circuitGrade 3

    250m circuit

    Allow 30 min

    		 A short stroll through one of Cooloola's hidden rainforest pockets.
    10 Poona Lake walkGrade 3

    4.2km return

    Allow 1.5hr

    		 Easy walking through tall forest with kauri and hoop pines, piccabeen palms and strangler figs.

    11

    12

    		Carlo Sand Blow walkGrade 3

    2.8km one way
    Allow 3hr

    1.2km return
    Allow 30min

    This walk weaves through eucalypt forest and rainforest up and over the sandblow ending at the Carlo car park.

    Shorter option: From Carlo car park, walk through scribbly gums, up steps to the sandblow.

    13 Double Island Point walkGrade 4

    30km return

    Allow 9–11hr

    		 A day-long, forest and beach walk with steep sections, offering superb views from the area around the Double Island Point lighthouse.
    14 Double Island Point lighthouse walkGrade 3

    2.2km return

    Allow 1hr

    		 A steep track with some fantastic views along the way.
    15 Freshwater Lake walkGrade 3

    2.8km return

    Allow 1hr

    		 Adjacent to the day-use area, walk through scribbly gum woodland and open forest to reach the lake.
    16 Freshwater circuitGrade 3

    5km circuit

    Allow 2hr

    		 From the camping area, take an easy walk around the lake, where open forest, paperbarks and rainforest are a delight on this journey.

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