Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

Four-wheel drive past towering coastal sand cliffs and coloured sands in the paradise of Cooloola Recreation Area. Photo credit: © Tomek Z Genek

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Cooloola offers something for all visitors. Four-wheel drive past towering coastal sand cliffs and coloured sands, fish straight from the ocean, canoe on tranquil waterways, hike through rainforest remnants and across vast sandblows and camp among blooming wildflowers.

Location

North of Brisbane, between Noosa Heads (about 155km) and Rainbow Beach (about 240km).

Welcome

Traditional Owners have a long and ongoing relationship with the area that falls under Queensland’s national parks and forests. In order to acknowledge the important connection with Indigenous people, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) urges visitors to treat the country through which they walk with respect and care.

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Learn moreGetting there

Park facilities

  • Barbecue (wood/fuel/coin)
  • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
  • Information centre
  • Lookout
  • Park office
  • Picnic tables (some sheltered)
  • Telephone (pay phone)
  • Toilets
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
  • Wifi
  • Tent camping
  • Caravan camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Showers
  • Boating
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Sailing
  • Walking
  • Nesting birds

Highlights and announcements