:
Explore the Cooloola Coast in Queensland
Words Hema Maps Editorial Pics James Jackson and Supplied
Not far from the Sunshine Coast, this coastal paradise is well worth visiting at least once in your life. Keep reading to discover what makes the Cooloola Coast such an awesome place to visit.
Extending from Noosa to Rainbow Beach in Queensland’s southeast, the Cooloola Coast is a pristine coastal wilderness made for hikers and four-wheel drivers.
The beach at Double Island Point, Cooloola Recreation Area (Credit: James Jackson)
The Cooloola Coast is wrapped by the Pacific Ocean on its eastern borders and includes some extremely popular offroad destinations, including Double Island Point (pictured above) and Wolf Rock. This coastal locality is situated within the borders of the Great Sandy National Park and offers visitors a real break from city life with its lack of infrastructure, barring camping and bushwalking facilities.
The Cooloola Great Walk
The epic Cooloola Great Walk near the Sunshine Coast is a popular choice for tourists and locals alike (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
This route extends to about 102km of bushwalking territory within the Great Sandy National Park. The route starts from the Noosa North Shore and runs right through to Rainbow Beach, making it no less than a five-day journey. It’s definitely not the easiest way to explore the area, but it will provide you with incredible experiences you just can’t get any other way.
On the trek, travellers will find themselves passing through a diverse range of habitats, including a rainforest, dry woodland, a eucalypt forest and heath plains. This route is not limited to experienced walkers since the gradient is not too steep. Recently, extensions have been made to the walk to allow visitors to pass by Double Island Point Lighthouse, which is a main attraction to the area, as well as Noosa River and Teewah Beach.
Visitors can choose from four camping sites when traversing the Cooloola Great Walk, where water and toilets will be available. It should be noted that fires will not be permitted in these areas.
Double Island Point
Double Island Point is a popular destination for all types of tourers (Credit: James Jackson)
Double Island Point is a scenic headland rather than two islands. Captain James Cook himself named the area back in 1770 because of its shape. The area is perhaps best known for its sandspit, which gives it the look of two islands. Four-wheel drive enthusiasts will be able to reach the point along the beach by opting for the Rainbow Beach route or via Noosa Heads. The latter will require a trip via ferry.
The lighthouse on Double Island Point is worth a visit and is a great place from which to enjoy 360-degree views of the area. It was built in 1884, and it has been powered using solar power since 1992. The lighthouse is currently unmanned.
Wolf Rock
Majestic Wolf Rock (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Nigel Marsh)
Wolf Rock is not one but four volcanic pinnacles that are situated just beyond Double Island Point. This area is very popular with divers and is best known as a mating habitat for the grey nurse shark. Due to the endangered status of the shark, no fishing is permitted in this area.
Teewah Beach
Teewah Beach is part of the Great Sandy National Park (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Ming Nomchong)
Teewah Beach begins from Double Island Point and reaches down through to the Noosa North Shore. This beach is a part of the Great Sandy National Park, and it is a great access point for K'gari (Fraser Island) and Rainbow Beach for four-wheel drives — check requirements for vehicle access permits before setting off. Those visiting the area can also enjoy a bush camping experience, although camping fees do apply.
The Cherry Venture
The Cherry Venture is a cargo ship originally registered in Singapore that ran aground in the area in 1973. Previously, visitors could view the wreck from the beach, but due to tourists climbing the wreck and the dangers that this posed, the hulk was taken away and the steel propeller was left on the beach as a monument.
Teewah Coloured Sands
Teewah Coloured Sands (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The sandy cliffs known as Teewah Coloured Sands extend all the way along Teewah Beach. These cliffs extend upwards to 20 metres, and they are a popular site due to the varying colours of the sand. These colours are due to the mixing of vegetable dyes and iron oxide.
Something for everyone
With so much to see, four-wheel drivers can enjoy traversing all types of terrain, including sandy beaches, dunes and bush, as well as visit some remarkable local sites (such as the breathtaking Cooloola Cove).
The Cooloola Coast offers a mixture of historical, ecological and natural sites, allowing visitors a rich experience with every visit to this area. It’s also an excellent option if you can’t get up to Cairns et al for whatever reason.
Related articles
Free and budget campsites: Queensland
0 comments