Kinaba Track (12.2km)

Great Sandy National Park stretches along Queensland’s Fraser Coast and protects one of the most diverse coastal landscapes in Australia. Within its boundaries you will find long, undeveloped beaches, towering sand dunes, open heathlands, pockets of rainforest, swamps, freshwater creeks and lakes, and sheltered mangrove forests. The variety of environments packed into this region is remarkable, and much of it feels largely untouched.

The park is divided into two distinct sections. The Cooloola section lies between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach and covers around 18,400 hectares. Further north is the K’gari section, which takes in almost the entirety of the world’s largest sand island and spans approximately 56,000 hectares. While both areas share a strong coastal character, each has its own feel and set of experiences.

Cooloola is well known for the Cooloola Great Walk, a five day hiking route that links forests, beaches and inland sand tracks. The nearby Noosa River is popular for canoeing and boat tours, offering a quieter way to explore the park’s waterways. On K’gari, the Fraser Island Great Walk runs for around 90 kilometres and showcases the island’s shifting dunes, lakes and forests. Lake Cootharaba also draws visitors for fishing, sailing and paddling.

Wildlife and outdoor activities play a big part in the park’s appeal. Whale watching, fishing, bushwalking and four-wheel driving are all popular, and the coastline is scattered with reminders of maritime history, including the SS Maheno and the Cherry Venture shipwrecks. One of the park’s most unusual features is found on K’gari, where tall rainforest grows directly out of sand, a rare phenomenon on a global scale. The island is also known for its coloured sand cliffs and a wide range of walking tracks, from short boardwalks to longer routes crossing open sandblows.

Lake Wabby is another standout location and is a favoured spot for swimming and fishing, set against the backdrop of steep sand dunes. Access to both sections of the park generally requires a four-wheel drive vehicle, and vehicles on K’gari must hold a valid permit. Camping areas are scattered throughout the park, allowing visitors to spend time immersed in this distinctive coastal environment rather than just passing through.