On (And Off) The Road Rainbow Beach is an Offroad Camper Paradise

Rippled with colourful ancient sand dunes and striking in beauty, the coastal town of Rainbow Beach offers a true representation of the vast landscape of Queensland’s beautiful coastline. If you want to explore further, you can holiday like a Hemsworth and switch the bitumen for a hybrid camper offroad adventure. You can combine a day trip to Fraser Island easily from Rainbow Beach. Leave the camper on the mainland and head over with the four-wheel drive.

Where is Rainbow Beach and how do you get there?

Not to be confused with Rainbow Bay on the southern Gold Coast, the town of Rainbow Beach is situated on the mainland at the southern end of Fraser Island, approximately 3 hours from Brisbane. It is a small community, accessed via Tin Can Bay Road and right beside the Great Sandy National Park.

What are the main attractions at Rainbow Beach?

Rainbow Beach offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views from the dunes. Sink your feet into the golden sand of the Carlo Sand Blow, hike through the sub-tropical rainforest fringing the dunes or explore the rainbow hues of the seaside beach cliffs. The kids will have hours of fun sliding down the dunes on boogie boards or cardboard. When they hit the pillow in their caravan at the end of the day, they are sure to sleep well. Tip: If you’re heading to the top of the dunes for sunset, take a torch for the walk back down.

Carlo Sand Blow

Known as a ‘moonscape’, the Carlo Sand Blow covers 15 hectares of coastline. The sand has been blown and formed by the wind, creating the unique landscape. There is a great rainforest walk to Carlo Sand Blow and the white sand dunes which gives an impressive view across the ocean. The sand blow is not the sole ‘blown’ area here and is just a small part of what is known as the Cooloola sand mass. In 1770, the area was given its name by the infamous Captain Cook who chose the name after one of his ship’s crew, Carlo.

Inskip Point

Inskip Point offers great ocean views and is the roadway into Fraser Island. One of the two barge departure points for Fraser Island is located at the end of Inskip Point. Very soft sand exists at the entry and exit points onto the beach, so the usual 4×4 recovery equipment and lowering of tyre pressure is required. The other barge departure for Fraser Island is from River Heads carpark in Hervey Bay. One side of Inskip Point is ocean and the other is estuary, popular with families, fishermen and tourists. Please look online for information relating to camping at Inskip Point, barges times/fees and permits required.
Note: Camping permits are required for Inskip camping but vehicle access permits are not.

Freshwater Track

You can combine a day trip to Fraser Island easily from Rainbow Beach. Leave the camper on the mainland and head over with the 4×4. There are many 4×4 tracks to tackle in the area such as Freshwater, Kings Bore Circuit Track, Poverty Point Road and Cooloola Way. The Freshwater Track is a well-used track which exits on northern Teewah Beach from Rainbow Beach. An alternate route to get to Rainbow Beach is via Noosa Northshore, up Teewah Beach and across Double Island Point back to Rainbow Beach. There are plenty of maps available online.

Kayak and dolphin experience

Enjoy a unique kayak and marine life experience in the Great Sandy National Park and paddle through the crystal clear waters of Honeymoon Bay with local expert guides showcasing the marine life including dolphins, whales, sea turtles and stingrays.

Ride Australia’s longest wave at Double Island Point

Surf Australia’s longest wave within a protected Marine Park. Featuring crystal clear waist-deep waters, Double Island Point is one of Queensland’s best kept surf secrets and its unique 4WD-only access means you will be away from the crowds. Surfers can ride waves measuring 100 metres. Double Island Point is 12km south of Rainbow Beach. Although it is not far, it will take up to 2 hours to get there since you have to travel on many back sandy or dirt roads. 4WD vehicles can travel from Rainbow Beach to get to Double Island Point.

Double Island Point lighthouse walk

While you’re there, go on the Double Island Point lighthouse walk to gaze at mesmerizing views from the lighthouse high on the headland. The walk is 2.2km return. Allow for an hour of walking time.

In the market for a caravan? Start exploring with JAWA

Are you planning a family caravan adventure? Why not start your trip with an award-winning JAWA off road camper, home to the best hybrid caravans and campers in Australia. JAWA is Australian owned and operated in Queensland. Contact the team at JAWA Off Road Campers by calling 07 5479 6844. You can also check out our range in our Caboolture showroom and have a chat with us in person. You can also stop by our Facebook page or take a 3D virtual tour.