• Look for goannas sunbaking on the grassy expanse at this pleasant day-use area. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• Stretch your legs after a long beach drive or enjoy a bbq lunch at the Freshwater day-use area. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

Relax over a barbeque lunch, stretch your legs after a long beach drive or take shelter from strong onshore winds in this day-use area nestled behind the dunes of Teewah Beach. While you’re here, take time to read the signs about the wreck of the Cherry Venture and the local history of timber cutting and sandmining. Watch birds in the large fig trees and prehistoric-looking goannas basking in the sun—be sure not to share your lunch with them.

Then explore the Freshwater Lake walk or Teewah beach before continuing your scenic 4WD adventure on the Cooloola beach drive or Freshwater Road 4WD track.

Getting there and getting around

Freshwater day-use area is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

• The day-use area is in the northern part of Cooloola, at the end of Freshwater Road, near the entrance to Cooloola's eastern beach.
• You can access the day-use area via Freshwater Road or the Cooloola beach drive, travelling along Teewah Beach from the south or Rainbow Beach from the north.
• You need a high-clearance 4WD to access Freshwater day-use area.
• Check the Cooloola Recreation Area conditions report (PDF, 672.9KB) prior to arrival for any park closures, fire prohibitions, warnings, tide times and beach and track conditions. Subscribe to the RSS feed to receive automated updates. (About RSS feeds).
• Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

Via Freshwater Road access

• From Brisbane, drive about 160km north on the Bruce Highway towards Gympie. At the southern edge of Gympie, turn onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 42km, then turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road.
• From Maryborough, drive 57km south on the Cooloola Coast Road, then turn left onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 3.5km, then turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road.

• Drive 25km on Rainbow Beach Road towards Rainbow Beach township, then turn right into Freshwater Road, drive 3km to Bymien day-use area and continue 11.7km on the sand road to the Freshwater day-use area.

Via Cooloola Beach drive

• Remember all vehicles must be registered, drivers must be licensed and all Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches.
• A vehicle access permit must be purchased. Display the permit on your windscreen before driving in the recreation area.
• There are two main entrances to Cooloola beach drive—the southern beach entrance on Noosa North Shore brings you onto Teewah Beach, and the northern beach entrance allows access onto Rainbow Beach.
• At the northern beach access, visit the Manta Ray barge office, Shell service station, Rainbow Beach caravan park (BP service station) or the Rainbow Beach Tourist Information Centre for vehicle access permits, also camping permits and other information (business hours only).
• At the southern beach access, visit the Great Sandy Information Centre, located near the Noosa River ferry on Moorindil Street for vehicle access permits, also camping permits and other information (business hours only).

From the south

• From Brisbane drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin; or from Gympie drive 58km south and east on the Bruce Highway to Tewantin.
• In Tewantin, follow Moorindil Street to the Noosa River ferry, cross the river to Noosa North Shore, and drive 2.2km on Maximillian Road.

• Turn right onto Beach Road and drive 2.1km on the bitumen road, then turn sharply to the left (past the first beach access cutting) and head north on the Wilderness Track.
• Drive 2.8km to the end of the bitumen road and turn onto the 4WD-accessible third beach cutting sand track . You must enter and exit the beach via this track.
• Drive 37.5km north along the Cooloola beach drive to the Freshwater Road entrance and drive 300m to the day-use area.

From the north

• From Brisbane, drive about 160km north on the Bruce Highway towards Gympie. At the southern edge of Gympie, turn onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 42km, then turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road.
• From Maryborough, drive 57km south on the Cooloola Coast Road, then turn left onto Tin Can Bay Road and drive 3.5km, then turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road.

• Drive 29km on Rainbow beach Road into Rainbow Beach township, then turn left onto Kirchner Avenue.
• After 300m, turn right onto Griffin Esplanade and follow this road to the council car park and vehicle access ramp to access the beach.
• Drive south along the Cooloola beach drive for 10km, drive 1km inland on the Leisha track, the travel a further 3km south on the beach to the Freshwater Road entrance and drive 300m to the camping area.

Wheelchair access

Toilet facilities are wheelchair accessible. Assistance may be required.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Freshwater day-use area is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Recreation Area safely.