• Rest up at the Brahminy walkers’ camp along the Cooloola Great Walk and take in views of Lake Cootharaba. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• Get to the Brahminy walkers’ camp early to enjoy the sunset and sweeping views. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Relax after a long day’s hike in this walkers’ camp, one of several along the Cooloola Great Walk. Set up camp on a west-facing slope in the Cooloola sand mass, amid low coastal heath and banksias. From this vantage point, enjoy magnificent sunsets and, during the full moon, lovely reflections of the night sky on Lake Cootharaba.

Spend time birdwatching for raptors hunting their next meal. Look for white-bellied sea eagles, brahminy kites, ospreys, whistling kites and, occasionally, wedge-tailed eagles, soaring in the distance. When it’s time for bed, drift off to sleep under the stars to the sound of ocean waves crashing.

Getting there and getting around

Brahminy walkers' camp is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155km–240km north of Brisbane).

• This walkers' camp is on the Cooloola Great Walk, 17.3km north of the Noosa North Shore trail head or 20.3km south of Dutgee walkers' camp; and can be accessed only on foot.
• You can access the Cooloola Great Walk from the south (Noosa North Shore) and from the north (near Rainbow Beach).
• Camping permits and other information (business hours only):
  • At Rainbow Beach (northern access), visit:
    • QPWS Rainbow Beach Information Centre on Rainbow Beach Road
    • Mantaray barge office at the Caltex service station
    • Shell service station.
  • At Tewantin (southern access), visit:
    • Great Sandy Information Centre, located near the Noosa North Shore ferry on Moorindil Street
    • Noosa North Shore Retreat, accessible via a short car ferry ride.
• Bus and taxi services are available in both Tewantin and Rainbow Beach.
• Read walk with care for tips on walking safely and walking lightly.

Route to southern entrance

• 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.
• In Tewantin, follow Moorindil Street to the Noosa North Shore ferry, cross the river to Noosa North Shore, and drive 2.2km on Maximillian Road.
• Continue along Maximillian Drive past Beach Road and follow the signs 250m to the southern entrance of the Cooloola Great Walk.

Route to northern entrance

• From Brisbane, drive about 160km north on the Bruce Highway towards Gympie. Take the Gympie Connection Road Exit and turn right. Turn left onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 38km to 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 29km along Rainbow Beach Road into Rainbow Beach township, turn right off Rainbow Beach Road onto Double Island Drive then turn left onto Cooloola Drive and follow the signs for 850m to the Carlo Sand Blow car park and the northern entrance of the Cooloola Great Walk.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Brahminy walkers' camp is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Camping area features

Why Brahminy? Views from this campsite stretch far and wide—similar to what brahminy kites see as they soar along the coast and inland watercourses in search of food. The adult birds have contrasting colours of rusty chestnut brown against the bright white of their heads and chests.

Walkers’ camp features: Located on an elevated heathland area, this campsite gives superb views south to Noosa, west to Lake Cootharaba and east over the Pacific Ocean.

Location: Brahminy walkers’ camp is 17.3km from the southern entrance to the Cooloola Great Walk.

Access: Walk-in only.

Number of sites:

• 8 unnumbered campsites – maximum of 2 people per site
• maximum group size: 6 people
• Brahminy camping area total capacity: 16 people maximum
• maximum stay at Brahminy walkers’ camp: 1 night.

Campsites are suitable for: Walk-in camping only.

Campsite surface: Sand in cleared heathland scrub.

Facilities: Untreated drinking water, composting hybrid toilet system, platform tables and food security boxes in most campsites.

Open fires: Prohibited. Only cooking and heating appliances that meet the below requirements are permitted unless a Queensland Fire Department (QFD) total fire ban is in place.

• The appliance must use gas or manufactured fuel (heat beads, briquettes). Manufactured fuel does not include timber or wood.
• It must be used only for cooking and/or heating.
• It must be a minimum of 20cm off the ground and more than 2m from flammable materials, which includes vegetation.
• It must not have the potential to generate airborne embers, or possibly ignite nearby ground fuels.
• It must be fully self-contained (heat source enclosed and no exposed flame) and never left unattended when in use.
• Appliances that are not fully self-contained, such as braziers, are not permitted.
• All appliances, materials and burnt fuel must be removed from the recreation area on your departure.

Approved cooking and heating appliances may vary from above list during QFD total fire bans. Check Park alerts and QFD fire bans and restrictions for more details.

Also see: permitted cooking appliances during fire bans (PDF, 729.4KB) .

Generators: Prohibited.

Essentials to bring: Topographic map, fuel or gas stove, drinking water, water treatment solution, first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, sealable container or rubbish bags; no rubbish facilities are supplied – carry out what you carry in, washing up basin, ground sheet to place under your tent to prevent wear, warm clothes and wet weather gear.

Also see: Planning your walk.

Mobile phone coverage: Nil. For emergency communication advice, see walk safely.

Bookings

Book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Book in advance for all weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance.

Book a camping area

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Great Walk safely and camp with care.