Cooloola
The Cooloola Region stretches 50km between Noosa and the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and inland to the Mary Valley hinterland. A wonderful blend of beaches, waterways, rural hinterland, and heritage, Cooloola offers several unique holiday destinations within one location. There are the coastal towns of Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay, the heritage city of Gympie, and the rolling hills of the Mary Valley.
Beaches
In a region renowned for its beautiful beaches, Cooloola has some spectacular options. Marvel at the 74 different shades of coloured sands which make up Rainbow Beach, a pristine stretch of coastline which is a gazetted Aboriginal sacred site. Both Rainbow Beach, which offers the shortest barge access to Fraser Island, and Tin Can Bay are relaxed coastal villages, popular with four wheel drive enthusiasts.
Cooloola National Park
Cooloola National Park, also known as the Great Sandy National Park, is a vast wilderness area covering 54,000 hectares from Lake Cootharaba north up to Rainbow Beach. There are glorious beaches, sparkling lakes, beautiful wildflowers, mangrove-lined waterways, forests, heathland and the pretty Noosa River. You can drive through the National Park along the Cooloola Way from Tewantin to Rainbow Beach. Keen walkers can tackle the 46km Cooloola Wilderness Trail which leaves from Boreen Point.
Accommodation
There's plenty of accommodation choices, ranging from hotels, motels, charming bed and breakfasts and self-contained apartments. There's an excellent range of caravan parks, many with camping sites and cabins.
Things to See and Do in Rainbow Beach
- Coloured Sands
Just a short drive from the Freshwater camping area, this magnificent natural structure is worth the drive. Please check the tides for four wheel driving along the beach.
- Double Island Point Lighthouse
This spectacular lookout offers breathtaking views of the coastline in either direction. During the migration season, whales have often been sighted off the point.
- Four Wheel Driving
A number of tours to the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park and Fraser Island operate out of Rainbow Beach. A commentary provides background information on these truly spectacular natural attractions. For independent travellers, maps and information is available from the Cooloola Region Visitor Information Centre.
- Carlo Sand Blow
The Carlo Sandblow at Rainbow Beach is a popular launching pad for hang glider and paragliding enthusiasts, with a walking track to the Sandblow from Cooloola Drive.
- Scuba Diving
A superb dive location, Wolf Rock offers the opportunity for dive enthusiasts to enjoy the company of Eagle Rays, Manta Rays and the Giant Queensland Groper. It is also the only place on the east coast of Queensland where the critically endangered grey nurse shark can be found all year round.
Things to See and Do in Tin Can Bay
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Environmental Walkway
The foreshores of Tin Can Bay can be explored via the environmental walkway. This allows visitors to observe the inhabitants of the foreshores in comfort and without disturbing their natural habitat.
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Yacht Charter
Rent a yacht and sail around Tin Can Bay and the Sandy Straits, with yachts available at Tin Can Bay Marina. Bookings are recommended.
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Houseboating
A holiday with a difference. For those who would like something flatter than a winged keel, a houseboat is a great way to motor around Tin Can Bay.
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Fishing
A great experience either from the shoreline or offshore. For those looking venture to out onto the Inlet, "tinnies" are available for hire from businesses throughout the area.
Things to See and Do in Gympie
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Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum
An impressive tribute to the Region's past.
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Woodworks Forestry and Timber Museum
Includes demonstrations of early timber cutting techniques and a working replica of a steam driven sawmill. Please check with the Museum for demonstration times.
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Mary Valley Heritage Railway
Ride the restored 1923 steam train which travels the historic 40km journey from Gympie to Imbil.
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Cooloola Shire Public Gallery
The Gallery is housed in the historic School of Arts building on Nash Street and continues to display a variety of both local and touring exhibitions of high quality.
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Deep Creek Gold Fossicking Area
Visitors can fossick for gold using the basic implements of pan, pick and shovel, with fossicking permits required and available from the Cooloola Region Information Centres.
Things to See and Do in Mary Valley
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Lake Borumba
11km from Imbil, the lake is home to Golden Perch, Australian Bass, and Saratoga. Water skiing and recreational boating are also very popular on the lake, with adjacent camping area operating under a self-registration system.
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Imbil Forest Drive
Take advantage of this 14km scenic drive through Imbil State Forest. The drive takes about an hour, with information stops, a short walk and a beautiful lookout with views of the surrounding countryside.
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Bellbird Habitat
This site has been set aside as a special management area for the protection of the colony. Listen for their bell-like calls as you look for these olive-green birds in their natural environment.
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Amamoor Creek State Forest Park
Nestled along the banks of Amamoor Creek, this park provides an open grassy camping area in a forest dominated by ironbarks and blue gums.
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National Country Music Muster
Over the last full weekend of August each year, thousands of people head for Amamoor Creek State Forest Park to attend the annual National Country Music Muster. The natural bush setting provides one of the most spectacular entertainment venues in Australia. Campers flock from all over Australia to enjoy the country's finest music talents. As well as traditional country music, the Muster boasts a myriad of entertainment venues, catering for a wide selection of musical tastes.
For more information on Cooloola visit http://www.cooloola.org.au.
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