Great Sandy National Park, Cooloola

Set to the north of Brisbane and sitting pretty in between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach, Great Sandy National Park offers visitors the chance to explore in a number of unique ways.

Offering up some of the best scenery on Fraser Island, it’s the perfect place to be introduced to the mesmerising landscape that characterises this part of Australia.

On this stretch of the national park, you can get your adrenalin pumping with a four-wheel drive adventure, and experience towering sand dunes and wild coastal cliffs. Keep your eyes peeled for vibrant blooming wildflowers as you hike through ancient rainforests, stopping off at picturesque viewpoints along the way.

Things to Do in Cooloola, Great Sandy National Park

  • 1. Take a Walk

    Walking is a popular activity in Cooloola, thanks to the plentiful number of pretty hiking trails that weave through the rainforest scenery and along coastal paths. You can wander to historic highlights, like the Double Island Point lighthouse, or pack a tent and make the most of the adventurous Cooloola Wilderness Trail.

  • 2. Have Fun in a Four-Wheel Drive

    Lots of visitors choose to explore everything Cooloola has to offer via a four-wheel drive vehicle, as this gives them the chance to fully immerse themselves in the open forests and heathlands. You can also bump your way along the numerous sand tracks and the beach at low tide.

  • 3. Canoe the Noosa River

    For something a little more active, try your hand at canoeing the Noosa River. This is a great way to discover the nature and wildlife of the banks, and explore a different part of the Great Sandy National Park. You can glide up and down the winding tributaries of the Noosa River, picking out famous natural landmarks as you go.

  • 4. Boating on the Everglades

    As well as canoeing the Noosa River, you can also hire a boat and cruise around the Everglades that are formed by the tributary creeks of the river. Here, you can experience the area from a different perspective, soaking up the lush surrounding forests and spotting native wildlife as you go. You can hire boats from Tewantin and Noosa, as well as at Elanda Point on Lake Cootharaba.

Cooloola National Park is one of the most popular attractions on Fraser Island – and for good reason. The plentiful opportunities for hiking through lush undergrowth and along pretty river banks, combined with the unique selection of fast-paced adventure activities to get stuck into mean you’ll never be bored while you’re exploring this part of Australia.

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