Family-friendly Gympie Region Holiday Destination on the Cooloola Coast
Table of Contents
Hi There! Thanks for visiting my post reviewing Rainbow Beach on the Cooloola Coast in Queensland.
Outlined below is a table of contents for the post. If you don’t have the time to read through the entire post, simply click on the relevant link to take you immediately to where you want to go.
1. Introduction
2. Where is Rainbow Beach?
3. How to get to Rainbow Beach
4. Best Time To Visit Rainbow Beach
5. Beach facilities at Rainbow Beach
6. Things to do at Rainbow Beach
7. Other Attractions Near Rainbow Beach
8. Rainbow Beach Tours and Attractions
9. Rainbow Beach Accommodation
10. Rainbow Beach Restaurants
11. Shops at Rainbow Beach
12. Coffee at Rainbow Beach
13. Final Thought
14. FAQs
Once you’ve read the article I hope it will have inspired you to visit this fantastic Aussie beach seaside getaway destination!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 12 Minutes
Introduction
Don’t be surprised if you break out in goosebumps the first time you see the magnificent, multi-coloured, 80 metre high ancient sand dunes that ripple along the Rainbow Beach coastline.
Striking, mesmeric and steeped in legend, they were supposedly created when Yiningie, a spirit that was represented by a rainbow, jumped into the cliffs shortly after battling an ignoble tribesman.
Bookended by K’gari on its north-east side and Double Island Point at its southern reaches, it is adjacent to the Great Sandy National Park and not far from the Cooloola National Park.
Not to be confused with its namesake in Port Macquarie, Rainbow beach stretches for 23 spectacular kilometres and is a lifesaver patrolled coastal area that is perfect spot for swimming, surfing, 4WD and fishing. It is also home to the magnificent Carlo Sand Blow which showcases tremendous views of the Coral Sea and coastline in both directions from its lofty position atop the sea cliffs.
At sunrise the view of the daybreak is spectacular, while during the whale watching season, it’s a great place to spot Migaloo and his friends on their annual migration up north.
Rainbow Reach Road goes on for about 30 km and is flanked by verdant bushland. It is also a nice bitumen road which makes for a very pleasant drive.
Where is Rainbow Beach?
Although Rainbow Beach Queensland is located within the Gympie Region on the Cooloola Coast, it is regarded as one of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast.
Located roughly a 55-minute minute drive from the Bruce Highway at Gympie, it is just under three hours from Brisbane. Moreover, if you are coming from further up north, it will take you about 2.5 hours to drive down from Bundaberg.
The associated town has a population of around 1250 people and traditional owners of the land the beach sits on (and nearby Burrum Heads) are the Butchulla people.
When the Brits arrived, it was originally called Back Beach. While popular folklore suggests Rainbow Beach was given its more modern name due to the rainbow colours that adorn the sand dunes, there is a school of thought that it was actually named after the HMS Rainbow.
Distance from Rainbow Beach to Other Destinations
How to get to Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is a drive to destination, so the most common way to get there is by car. For visitors coming from the Brisbane, Bundaberg and beyond, in either direction, you will need to take the Bruce Highway (aka M1) and then connect with State Route 15, Tin Can Bay Road and Rainbow Beach Road.
The region is quite well signed posted. However, if you use Google Maps or Waze, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the destination. Rainbow Reach Road goes on for about 30 km and is flanked by verdant bushland. It is also a nice bitumen road which makes for a very pleasant drive.
If you are coming from further afield you can choose to fly into either the Sunshine Coast or Hervey Bay Airports. Various carriers, including Jetstar, Virgin, Qantas and Bonza will take you to one or both of these airports. From either, you can hire cars to drive to the town of Rainbow Beach Qld. Most of the major car rental companies operate desks from them.
I would recommend flying into the Sunshine Coast airport if you can as you will have more options of other beaches to visit including Mooloolaba, Noosa and the beaches of Caloundra.
If you don’t have access to a car and would prefer not to fly, an alternative way to get to Rainbow Beach is via Greyhound Bus. Services run there from Mooloolaba Beach and various other destinations.
You can check out the timetable here.
Best Time To Visit Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is a destination you can visit all year round. However, the best time for you to go there will depend on what activities you want to do.
For those who want to swim and sunbathe, the summer is the best time as the Rainbow Beach weather regularly tops 30 degrees Celsius.
However, if you want to go walking on the golden sands, hiking in the hinterland or exploring the Carlo Sando Blow, I would recommend coming here in the shoulder season months of September to November and April to May. At this time, the temperatures are still pleasant and the crowds are generally less busy.
As the whale watching season in Queensland runs from June to November, you’ll want to time your visit to these months to give yourself the best chance of spotting humpback whales migrating along the coast – some even breach close to shore!
Similarly, the best time for fishing, particularly nightfishing, is whenever there is a full moon as most predators tend to feed more during this period.
Experienced surfers should come to Rainbow Beach in summer and autumn as the swell tends to be at its biggest, while novice surfers will find conditions better in the winter months. At the same time, those who want to go 4WD should only do this at low tide (don’t forget to lower your tire pressure).
You can check out the tide times here.
One of the best Rainbow Beach attractions is the Carlo Sand Blow, a 15-hectare expanse of pristine sand that resembles a lunar landscape.
Beach facilities at Rainbow Beach
As a premier tourist location on the Cooloola Coast, visitors to Rainbow Beach Qld are able to access a range of beach facilities and amenities to make the most of their time there.
On arrival, you will find plenty of free all-day parking space, both within the formal car parking area out the front of the beach and the section at Lawrie Hanson Park, near where the Rainbow Beach Surf Club resides. There are also toilet block facilities here, which include disability access, as well as showers and change room facilities.
The park is virtually opposite The Deck, one of the town’s most popular restaurants and within a minutes walk of plenty of other shops, cafes and eateries. This green space features a children’s playground, skate park, BBQs, shaded picnic areas and several other seating options.
If you come to the beach with your tinnie, you’ll be able to launch it off a boat ramp. There is also a fabulous deck/look out area that is a terrific place to take photos of the Coral Sea, sand dunes and the surrounding coastline.
Should you want to upload them straight to Instagram, you’ll find the mobile phone coverage to be excellent. However, if you don’t have a phone on you and you need to make a call, there is a public phone box available near the beach.
Rainbow Beach attractions
Things to do at Rainbow Beach
When it comes to things to do in Rainbow Beach you are spoilt for choice.
Spending time sunbathing, swimming, surfing and walking along the shoreline are of course the primary drawcards. However, beyond that, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy your time in this beautiful Queensland coastal town.
One of the best Rainbow Beach attractions is the Carlo Sand Blow, a 15-hectare expanse of pristine sand that resembles a lunar landscape. You can access it via a 10-minute walk from the car park that takes you on a boardwalk that leads directly to the summit of the 80-metre high dune. Whilst there, you will be able to take in extraordinary views of the Coral Sea and the coastline from one side of it, and Tin Can Bay from the other. The sunrise and sunset views, best seen from either end are also quite glorious.
During your time on the beach, you should also make a point of visiting the coloured sands. You’ll have to walk, 2 km to see them from the Rainbow Beach Surf Club. But once you reach them, prepare to be blown away by the views of the massive striped dunes that run from the top of the cliffs to the Coral Sea below, all the way along the shoreline.
Formed by sediment layers that are exposed by coastal winds, their vibrancy will blow you away, particularly if you happen to time your visit after a period of heavy wind or rain.
Another popular pastime on the beach is fishing, either directly on the shore or out in the open water. You should be able to catch species like pearl perch, snapper, sweetlip, red emperor, parrot fish and cobia, year round, as well as wahoo, amberjack and mackerel at certain times of the year.
Other activities you can do directly on the beach include horse riding and 4WD. Check out the links in the tours section below for specific excursions you can book for any of these activities.
Other Attractions Near Rainbow Beach
While you’ll want to spend a good amount of time at Rainbow Beach, there are some other notable places you should try and squeeze a visit to.
One of the most appealing is Double Island Point, which is about a 30 km drive away southbound. It features a lighthouse which offers some of the most amazing views of the Coral Sea and surrounding coastline you could ever possibly imagine.
If you stay there long enough, you should be able to see several marine creatures including turtles, sharks, pods or dolphins, whales and even dugongs, depending on the time of year you go there.
Other places you should consider checking out are K’gari, which is one of the best islands in Queensland, Inskip Point, and both the Great Sandy National Park and Cooloola National Park.
The beautiful seaside village of Tin Can Bay, just a pleasant half an hour drive away, is also worth dropping by when you fancy a change of scene. It is known for its serene landscapes that are perfect for enjoying relaxed afternoons.
If you don’t bring a picnic lunch with you, or food to cook yourself on the barbecues, then don’t worry. There are plenty of excellent Rainbow Beach restaurants you can choose to dine at
Rainbow Beach Tours and Attractions
There are several tours, day trips and excursions you can go on to maximise your time in this fabulous Queensland holiday destination.
Between them Viator and Get Your Guide offer some excellent organised activities that you might want to book. These include the following:
Check out the best Rainbow Beach tours available from Viator.
While you are at it, why not peruse the best Rainbow Beach excursions from Get Your Guide as well.
Other Rainbow Beach Cafes and Restaurants
Rainbow Beach Accommodation
In terms of accommodation Rainbow Beach has some fabulous options to suit most tastes. If you are visiting with children, the Rainbow Beach Holiday Park will tick a lot of boxes.
Not only does it offer an excellent standard of accommodation, as you would expect from a Big 4 destination, but it also provides close proximity to the beach and plenty to keep your little ones entertained. However, unfortunately not a swimming pool. It is sometimes referred to as the Rainbow Beach Caravan Park, so don’t think the two are distinct).
If you specifically want somewhere with a swimming area, the Rainbow Ocean Palms is a good option. It is located near the beach on Cooloola Drive and features spacious rooms and apartments with modern amenities, including a large outdoor pool, restaurant and bar on-site.
Elsewhere, the Plantation Resort at Rainbow presents guests with a nice mix of units that come with kitchenettes or full kitchens. It also has a swimming pool and a spa to relax in.
Those who would prefer to self-cater should consider the Rainbow Getaway Holiday Apartments. They come with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living area and private balcony, and again, this property has a swimming pool, as well as a barbecue area.
You can make a reservation or find out more details about any of these places by clicking here.
No matter where you choose to stay at, the overall standard of family holiday accommodation at Rainbow Beach is very good. It is worth noting though, that during the high season, they do tend to book out early, so you would be well advised to make a reservation long in advance.
Additionally, you’ll notice I have not included any Rainbow Beach camping options. That is because you are not permitted to camp anywhere along Rainbow Beach.
If you want to pitch a tent or set up your RV at a campsite, the best options for you can be found within the Great Sandy National Park. More specifically, within the Inskip Peninsula and Cooloola Recreation Areas.
Rainbow Beach Restaurants
If you don’t bring a picnic lunch with you, or food to cook yourself on the barbecues, then don’t worry. There are plenty of excellent Rainbow Beach restaurants you can choose to dine at.
One of the most popular joints in town is The Deck @ Sea Seal, which, as its name suggests, has a fantastic viewing deck that showcases superb views of the sand and Coral Sea. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food matches the view, offering an excellent selection of burgers and other classics like BBQ pork ribs, grilled barra and lots of pizza variations.
Elsewhere, Arcobaleno on the Beach is one of the best restaurants Rainbow Beach has to offer. This Italian venue serves up a delicious selection of pizza and pasta dishes, in a relaxed and cosy ambience where time will fly.
If you fancy fish and chips and other marine cuisine, the Frying Fish Cafe and Ocean Breeze Seafoods are your best bet, while Maheno’s is a fabulous venue for Mexican food. The good old surf club is well worth dining at too.
All of these venues are just metres from the seafront along Rainbow Beach Road, so you won’t have to traipse too far if you are hungry.
If your idea of a holiday isn’t complete without your daily fix of cappuccino, latte or espresso, then you’ll be pleased to learn that Rainbow Beach has some excellent coffee options within a short walk of the seafront
Shops at Rainbow Beach
Away from the sand, you’ll find some decent shops to explore at Rainbow Beach. They include stores like the IGA and Foodworks where you can pick up some groceries, as well as pharmacies and newsagents that will have your essentials. There is also a BSW and Bottle-O should you want to pick up some beers.
If you are after clothes, there are a handful of trendy boutique shops where you can purchase unique pieces and associated fashion accessories, while tourists wanting souvenirs will be able to browse in a couple of stores.
For those in need of fishing supplies, Rainbow Beach Fishing and Camping on the main road is your best bet. Likewise, surfers should head to 13th Surf for surfing related gear.
Distance from Rainbow Beach to Out-of-State Destinations
Coffee at Rainbow Beach
If your idea of a holiday isn’t complete without your daily fix of cappuccino, latte or espresso, then you’ll be pleased to learn that Rainbow Beach has some excellent coffee options within a short walk of the seafront.
You can get a good coffee at the surf club and The Deck, however, just around the corner of both, on Rainbow Beach Road are a selection of cafes that serve up brews that rival anything you can get in Gympie, on the Sunshine Coast or Hervey Bay.
My favourite is Little Parliament, which also has a nice selection of sweet treats. However, Salt and Pepper and Somewhere Over Coffee are other good choices, while The Coloured Sands Cafe, which is located within Foodworks, is a decent option.
Your best bet is to walk up and down the street and follow your nose to find venue which most ignites your interest.
Final Thought
In my opinion, there is no other place like Rainbow Beach anywhere in Queensland.
It has a stunning mix of gorgeous landscapes, decent facilities and plenty of dining options, which is why you should add it to your beach bucketlist.
For those visiting from the east coast of Queensland, it is also an easy destination to get to. Moreover, wherever you come here from in Australia, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options locally and great camping in the surrounding area – which means you can stay as long as your heart desires.
FAQs
How Far Is Rainbow Beach from Brisbane?
Rainbow Beach resides about 240 km from Brisbane. It will take you just under three hours to drive to this part of the Sunshine Coast from the CBD.
Can you visit Rainbow Beach without a 4WD?
While you can easily visit the beach without a 4WD or 4×4 you can't get very far along it without one. The beach is very long so you won't be able to easily walk it. Also as the sandy is quite pluggy, its not suitable for most regular cars.Indeed, the only places where you can take you car near Rainbow Beach is close to the Carlo Sandblow and around Inskip Point and near the Carlo Sandblow - both are to the south of the beach's main town.
Can you swim at Rainbow Beach?
Yes, you can swim and it is patrolled by surf lifesavers. However, you need to exercise extreme caution as the area is notorious for rips and generally quite hazardous.
Can you camp anywhere on Rainbow Beach?
Unfortunately, there is no Camping at Rainbow Beach. However, you will find an excellent campsite next to it. Alternatively, you can camp at Teewah Beach.
Can you see whales at Rainbow Beach?
You can often spot whales at Rainbow Beach, either from the shore or via a whale-watching vessel. Several tour companies come to the area from Hervey Bay throughout the whale watching season.
