The Cooloola Great Walk is a challenging but rewarding 102km hike located within Great Sandy National Park, Queensland. Rated as grade 4, this multi-day adventure is perfect for experienced hikers seeking to immerse themselves in the stunning natural beauty of Cooloola for five days.
Get ready to be amazed by the park's diverse landscapes. The trail winds through rainforests teeming with life, tall eucalypt forests offering a cool escape, sun-drenched coastal woodlands, and vast heath plains stretching towards the horizon. As you conquer the massive sand dunes, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views. Keep an eye out for perched lakes, hidden gems nestled amongst the dunes, and long stretches of sandy beaches perfect for a moment of relaxation.
The Cooloola Great Walk offers more than just scenic beauty. The trail weaves its way between the pristine upper Noosa River and the east coast, providing panoramic views of the Cooloola coastline. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings – you might encounter snakes, skinks, lizards, emus, or even an echidna. Natural lookouts along the way offer stunning vantage points to soak in the surrounding landscapes.
The hike concludes at Rainbow Beach, but the memories you create will last a lifetime. Four designated campsites – Brahminy, Dutgee, Litoria, and Kauri – provide safe havens for you to rest and recharge under the starry night sky, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
Section-by-Section Guide
The Cooloola Great Walk offers a multi-day adventure through the diverse landscapes of Great Sandy National Park. Divided into five sections (S1-S5) with an optional coastal route (S6), the 102km trail caters to experienced hikers seeking a challenging and rewarding experience.
Section 1: Noosa North Shore to Brahminy Campsite (17.3km)
Your journey begins at the Arthur Harrold Nature Refuge, where coastal heath explodes with wildflowers during spring. Ascend the Cooloola sandmass and consider a detour to Teewah Landing for stunning lake views or Mount Seawah for panoramic coastal views. End your day at Brahminy Campsite, where a breathtaking sunset awaits.
Section 2: Brahminy Campsite to Dutgee Campsite (20.3km)
Traverse high dunes through eucalyptus forests, catching glimpses of Lake Cooloola and sweeping coastal landscapes. A hidden patch of rainforest adds a touch of surprise. Navigate the Cooloola Sandpatch, a one-kilometer stretch that rewards you with breathtaking views of the upper Noosa River and hinterland ranges. Descend to heath plains adorned with wildflowers and reach Dutgee Campsite, a cultural site with reflective river surfaces. Remember, climbing the decaying logs here is strictly prohibited.
Section 3: Dutgee Campsite to Litoria Campsite (14.8km)
Bid farewell to the upper Noosa River and admire the sandy extensions of the Cooloola Sandpatch rolling down the distant hills. The trail continues through towering forests, with some steep sections to challenge you. Keep an eye out for Ramsay's Hut, a relic of Cooloola's past timber industry, but be sure to stay on the designated track for safety reasons.
Section 4: Litoria Campsite to Kauri Campsite (20.5km)
Emerge at Lake Cooloomera, a perched lake teeming with "acid frogs." Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing this delicate ecosystem. The trail reaches its highest points, passing through fragrant carrol scrub and pockets of littoral rainforest. Rest your weary legs at Kauri Campsite, nestled on a rainforest ridge and named after the giant kauri pines that drop massive seed cones in late spring.
Section 5: Kauri Campsite to Carlo Carpark (15.2km)
Immerse yourself in the symphony of rainforest birdsong as you head towards Poona Lake, the largest perched lake in Cooloola. While the sight of a white sandy beach might be tempting, swimming is not recommended. Navigate the Carlo Sandblow, taking in the views of Double Island Point and Tin Can Bay. Remember to stay clear of sand cliffs and hang-gliders for safety reasons. Your Cooloola Great Walk adventure concludes at Carlo Carpark, with an option to visit the QPWS information center on Rainbow Beach Road.
- The Cooloola Great Walk offers a well-marked path with mostly firm and stable ground. However, some sections will test your endurance.
- Expect steep inclines, soft sand stretches, and areas exposed to direct sunlight.
- Plan your daily hikes strategically by studying topographic maps.
- While navigating the trail, be aware of potential obstacles like fallen tree branches and wild animals.
- You might encounter wet and boggy sections on the track.
- Remember to prioritise safety and adjust your pace accordingly.
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Image credit: Walker (Robert Ashdown, Qld Govt)
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Total distance: 86300 m
Max elevation: 228 m
Min elevation: 0 m
Total climbing: 1935 m
Total descent: -1858 m
Getting to the trailhead: Great Sandy National Park.
The Cooloola Great Walk, nestled within the Cooloola Recreation Area of Great Sandy National Park, offers a fantastic escape on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Located between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (roughly 155km to 240km north of Brisbane), this 102km hike promises a diverse adventure.
Reaching the start of your trek is convenient with two access points. For a southern approach, (as decribed above) head to Noosa North Shore, accessible via Tewantin. In Tewantin, you can find taxi services if needed. Alternatively, the northern entrance awaits at Carlo Sandblow car park near Rainbow Beach, with taxis also available in the town.
Closest towns to this walk: Cooroy, Fraser Island, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Noosa Heads, Pomona, Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay
Great Sandy National Park is a coastal national park in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.
The park features untouched beaches, large sand dunes, heathlands, rainforests, swamps, creeks, freshwater lakes and mangrove forests.
Great Sandy National Park is divided into two sections. The Cooloola section is situated on the coast between Noosa Heads in the south and Rainbow Beach in the north and covers 18,400 hectares (45,000 acres). The K'gari (Fraser Island) section encompasses almost all of the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island, situated north of Rainbow Beach, covering 56,000 hectares (140,000 acres).
The Cooloola section contains the Cooloola Great Walk, a five-day hiking trail. Boat tours and canoeing along the Noosa River are popular visitor activities. On Fraser Island is the 90 km long Fraser Island Great Walk. Lake Cootharaba offers fishing, sailing and canoeing opportunities.
Whale watching, fishing, four-wheel driving and bushwalking are also popular. The park also features two shipwrecks; the SS Maheno and the Cherry Venture.
The only place in the world where tall rainforest grows in sand is on Fraser Island. Fraser Island has coloured sand cliffs on its eastern beach as well as numerous walking tracks from short boardwalks to longer walks which cross sand blows.
Lake Wabby is a popular swimming and fishing spot.
Access to both sections of the park requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. Four-wheel drive vehicles on Fraser Island need to obtain a vehicle permit. Both sections have numerous camping areas.
For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Queensland.com
Looking for more walks in or near Great Sandy National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
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5 Reviews on “Cooloola Great Walk (102km)”
A lovely walk 🥰
Suse Jamie on our doorstep ?
Erin Weston
Any suggestion for a hike near Myall Lakes NP ?
Fiona?
Delwyn Davis
Lauren Christian another one for us.
Jane Spence