This 39km overnight hike in Great Sandy National Park just north of Noosa, takes in endless beaches, mammoth sand dunes, and delightful tea-tree lakes.

 

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Butchalla and Kabi Kabi peoples who have occupied and cared for these lands and waters for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Highlights

  • Swimming in the tea-coloured Poona Lake
  • Soaking up the sun on the white sandy beaches
  • Watching the sunrise over the never-ending Teewah Beach
  • Checking out the awesome colours of the Rainbow Beach dunes

Setting The Scene – A Spontaneous Trip

Before I dive into a play-by-play of this quick overnighter in the Great Sandy National Park (and yes, for those who don’t know, the surface of the Park is entirely sand!), let me set the scene.

It’s New Years Day; my partner and I have fled from NSW to QLD for a sunnier start to the year and we’re thirsty for a quick adventure to kick off 2022. After a quick Google and a check of the weather, we decide to head to Rainbow Beach to do the Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp loop walk.

Day 1 – Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Campground via Poona Lake

Distance: 19km
Duration:

Our new year adventure starts on the Carlo Sand Blow track. After only 1km, we reach the Carlo Sand Blow – a huge sand dune with views over the coast. To continue on our journey we hike directly across the sand dune to the bush on the other side where the Cooloola Great Walk Telegraph Track starts.

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park,beach hike, person Lauren Chuter

 

At about 4.5km there’s a fork in the track. We take the right hand track – Cooloola Great Walk Track – to complete our loop anticlockwise. After another 4.5km we reach Poona Lake where we break for lunch.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park, people, selfie, water Lauren Chuter

 

We take a swim in the tea-coloured water and dry off under the sun on the white, sandy shore. From there, we hike east through bushland and semi-rainforest towards the coast until we reach Freshwater Campground for the night.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park, lauren chuter, beachwalking, hike, person

 

Pro tip! Don’t forget insect repellant (we did unfortunately!).

Day 2 – Freshwater Campground to Rainbow Beach via Teewah Beach

Distance: 20km
Duration:

We’re up before the sun on day two in the hopes to catch the sunrise on our 6km journey up Teewah Beach, and boy was it worth it! After quickly scoffing some peanut butter wraps, we pack up our tent and head off towards the coast. With a decent southerly wind, we practically get pushed all the way up Teewah Beach, which makes for some very easy beach hiking!

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park. Lauren Chuter, sunrise, beach

 

After about an hour, we make it to Leisha Track which is a sand road for 4WDs. Leisha Track cuts across the headland and takes us to the Double Island Point Walk Track. If you’re extra keen you can continue north up Teewah Beach to hike around Double Island Point.

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park, ocean, sandunes, beach Lauren Chuter

 

For the next couple of hours, we hike on an undulating track just behind the Rainbow Beach sand dunes. The track then meets up with the Cooloola Great Walk Telegraph Track and we retrace our steps back to the car park for the last few kilometres.

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park, rainforest, hike , person Lauren Chuter

 

By now, we’re well and truly tired after a big two days of walking and our mouths are drooling at the thought of a big café feed in town!

 

Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop – An Overnight Hike in Great Sandy National Park, rainforest, people, hikeLauren Chuter

Essential Gear

  • Light hiking clothes (plus some warm layers if you’re hiking in winter)
  • Swimmers and towel
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • First aid kit
  • PLB (note: some areas have no mobile coverage)
  • Camera

Read more: Overnight Hiking Packing List

How To Get There

The Rainbow Beach to Freshwater Camp Loop starts and ends at the Carlo car park in Rainbow Beach. Rainbow Beach is a small coastal town on the edge of the Great Sandy National Park, just under 3 hours’ drive north of Brisbane.

If you’re driving, pop ‘Carlo car park’ into Google Maps and you’ll end up in the right location (car park at the end of Cooloola Drive, Rainbow Beach). If you’ve made your way to Rainbow Beach via public transport, then you’ll have to head to Carlo car park on foot, which is a short 1.5km from the town centre.

Skill Level

Beginner / Intermediate

Distance Covered / Elevation Gained / Duration

39km walk / 900m elevation gain / 2 days