Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

Explore the melaleuca and scribbly gum woodlands along the Harry's Hut Road 4WD track. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw

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

Harrys Hut Road 4WD track

Discover pine plantations, scribbly gum woodlands and cool rainforest along this rough track to the tranquil waterways of the Upper Noosa River.

Journey type
4WD, trail bike
Distance
20km (return) return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 1.5hrs driving time.
Grade
Unrated

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Journey facilities

  • Scenic drive
  • Trail bike riding

From the junction with Cooloola Way, traverse pine plantations before reaching the recreation area. Drive through scribbly gum woodland then stretch your legs on the Boronia trail. Farther along the rough sandy 4WD road, discover a pocket of cool rainforest before entering low-lying paperbark and scribbly gum woodland near the banks of the Upper Noosa River waterway.

Stop off at Harrys Hut, an old timber-getter's hut that dates back to the mid-1900s, just south of Harrys day-use area. A winch-and-crane operation once transported logs across the Noosa River from here. Relax over a peaceful picnic, or launch your canoe to explore the river. If you've booked and are staying the night, head a short way north to Harrys camping area.

Refer to the Cooloola and Inskip recreation areas discovery guide (PDF, 4.3MB) for a map and more details.

Getting there and getting around

Harry's Hut Road 4WD track is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

Getting to Cooloola Way

  • From Brisbane, drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin. Follow McKinnon Drive, Louis Bazzo Drive and Junction Road for about 18km north-west to Cootharaba Road. Turn right and travel about 10km along Cootharaba, Kimmond Creek and Dr Pages roads to the Gympie Kin Kin Road. Turn right and drive 6km, then turn right onto Cooloola Way.
  • From Gympie, drive 10km east on Tin Can Bay Road, turn right onto to the Gympie Kin Kin Road and drive about 31km, then turn left onto Cooloola Way.

Wheelchair access

Toilet facilities suitable for wheelchairs with assistance are provided at Harrys day-use area.

Drinking water

Water is provided at the nearby Harrys day-use area.

Transfers

  • Commercial operators offer boat transfers to the national park islands. Fees apply. If you are camping, make sure you book your transfer before obtaining your camping permit.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Harrys Hut Road 4WD track 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: