Rainbow Beach is without a doubt one of the most breathtakingly beautiful locations in Queensland.
Set near Fraser Island, the stretch of coastline is the perfect place to escape the crowds and soak up the surrounding natural beauty. Whether you’re looking for beachside adventures, the chance to experience once-in-a-lifetime natural wonders, or simply want to kick back and relax with sea views, Rainbow Beach has something for you.
Here are some of the best things to do when you’re in Rainbow Beach
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1. See the Coloured Sands in Cooloola National Park
Rainbow Beach is most famous for its coloured sands that lend it a surreal and vibrant charm. Set in the stunning expanse of the Great Sandy National Park, the Coloured Sands are best experienced during low tide or after a particularly windy day. The sands are in black, red, yellow, and orange colours where inclement weather has eroded them away.
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2. Explore the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area
You can find this recreation area 9km away from Rainbow Beach. It provides the perfect backdrop for camping and fishing, all of which can be done against the lush beach surroundings.
Boasting a long, sandy strait, it also marks the gateway to Fraser Island, a World Heritage Listed site and the largest sand island in the world. As well as camping, visitors can swim in the calm waters, try their hand at fishing, or take a 4WD along the beach for more of an adrenalin-pumping adventure.
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3. Experience the Carlo Sand Blow
The Carlo Sand Blow is a natural sand mass that sprawls out for 15 hectares and looks out over the Coloured Sands below. There is a short dune walk along a wooden boardwalk to get to the Sand Blow, and its busiest times are at sunrise and sunset when visitors want to experience the surroundings in the changing light.
Here, visitors can race down the dunes on a sand board, go paragliding, or marvel at the views out across Rainbow Beach, Double Island Point, Tin Can Bay, and Fraser Island. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles and dolphins as they frolic in the waters below and, in the winter months, look out for migrating whales.
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4. Go Horse Riding
One of the best ways to experience the stunning scenery of Rainbow Beach is to hop on a horse and take a ride along the coastline. Today, Rainbow Beach is the third most colourful beach in the world, and exploring it by horseback is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.