• Rest up at the Brahminy walkers' camp along the Cooloola Great Walk and take in views of Lake Cootharaba. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• Get to the Brahminy walkers' camp early to enjoy the sunset and sweeping views. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Relax after a long day’s hike in this walkers’ camp, one of several along the Cooloola Great Walk. Set up camp on a west-facing slope in the Cooloola sand mass, amid low coastal heath and banksias. From this vantage point, enjoy magnificent sunsets and, during the full moon, lovely reflections of the night sky on Lake Cootharaba.

Spend time birdwatching for raptors hunting their next meal. Look for white-bellied sea eagles, brahminy kites, ospreys, whistling kites and, occasionally, wedge-tailed eagles, soaring in the distance. And when it's time for bed, drift off to sleep to the sound of ocean waves crashing.

Getting there and getting around

Brahminy walkers' camp is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155km–240km north of Brisbane).

• This walkers' camp is on the Cooloola Great Walk, 17.3km north of the Noosa North Shore trail head or 20.3km south of Dutgee walkers' camp; and can be accessed only on foot.
• You can access Cooloola Great Walk from the south (Noosa North Shore) and from the north (near Rainbow Beach).
• At Rainbow Beach visit the Manta Ray barge office or Shell service station for camping permits and other information (business hours only).
• At Tewantin (southern access), visit the Great Sandy Information Centre, located near the Noosa River ferry on Moorindil Street for camping permits and other information (business hours only).
• Taxi services are available in both Tewantin and Rainbow Beach.
• Read walk with care for tips on walking safely and walking lightly.

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.
• Continue along Maximillian Drive past Beach Road and follow the signs 250m to the southern entrance of the Cooloola Great Walk.

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 into Rainbow Beach township, turn right off Rainbow Beach Road onto Double Island Drive then turn left onto Cooloola Drive and follow the signs for 850m to the Carlo Sandblow car park and the northern entrance of the Cooloola Great Walk.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Brahminy walkers' camp is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

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

Why Brahminy? Views from this camp site stretch far and wide—similar to what Brahminy kites see as they soar along the coast and inland watercourses in search of food. The adult birds have contrasting colours of rusty chestnut brown against the bright white of their heads and chests.

Walkers’ camp features: Located on an elevated heathland area, this camp site gives superb views south to Noosa, west to Lake Cootharaba and east over the Pacific Ocean.

Location: Brahminy walkers’ camp is 17km from the southern entrance to the Cooloola Great Walk.

Access: Walk-in only.

Number of sites:

• 8 camp sites
• maximum group size: 6 people
• Brahminy camping area total capacity: 18 people maximum
• maximum stay at Brahminy walkers' camp: 1 night.

Camp sites are suitable for: Walk-in camping only.

Camp site surface: Cleared heathland scrub.

Facilities: Untreated drinking water, composting hybrid toilet system, platform tables in most camp sites.

Open fires: Prohibited—fuel or gas stoves only.

Generators: Prohibited.

Essentials to bring: Fuel or gas stove, insect repellent, washing up basin, ground sheet to place under your tent to prevent wear, warm clothes and wet weather gear.

Also see: Planning your walk.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Book in advance for all weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance.

Mobile phone coverage: Nil. For emergency communication advice, see walk safely.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Great Walk safely and camp with care.