The Kinaba Track, also known as the Kinaba Information Centre Walk, is a 12.2 kilometre Grade 3 hike in Great Sandy National Park in Queensland, typically taking around four and a half hours to complete. It is a varied and rewarding walk that moves gently through changing landscapes, from open revegetated farmland to eucalypt woodland, paperbark swamps, and cabbage palm wetlands. The diversity along the route offers a quiet sense of transition, with each section revealing a different side of this coastal hinterland environment.
Starting from the Elanda Point car park, the track follows Kin Kin Creek through a mix of woodlands and wetlands. One of the most striking aspects of the walk is the visible regeneration at Elanda Plains. Once cleared for farming, this area has been steadily restored through long term efforts by rangers and community groups. Seeds collected within the park were propagated and planted over a decade, resulting in close to one million native trees now reshaping the landscape. Walking through this area gives a strong sense of how patient restoration can return life and structure to a damaged environment.
The track leads to the Kinaba Information Centre, set above the shores of Lake Cootharaba. From the viewing deck, the lake opens out below, offering wide, calming views across the water and surrounding wetlands. The centre provides insights into the Upper Noosa River system and the role it plays in the region. If you are exploring the waterways by canoe, kayak, or boat, it is possible to tie up at the front steps of the centre and begin the walk from there, heading out along the track before retracing your steps back to the water. It is a walk that suits a steady pace and rewards those who take the time to notice both the scenery and the story of recovery written into the land.
Local wildlife safety – K’gari
K’gari is home to a free-ranging population of dingoes, and visitors should follow local park authority advice to reduce the risk of negative interactions. Never feed or approach dingoes, keep children close, and carry a stick or hiking pole to help maintain distance if needed.
While crocodile encounters on K’gari are uncommon, estuarine crocodiles can occur in parts of southern Queensland. Avoid swimming in creeks, lakes, and estuaries unless they are clearly designated as safe, and follow local signage.
Before your hike, review official safety guidance:
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Total distance: 11326 m
Max elevation: 26 m
Min elevation: 7 m
Total climbing: 258 m
Total descent: -258 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Great Sandy National Park.
The Kinaba Information Centre Walk is located within the Cooloola Recreation Area of Great Sandy National Park on the Sunshine Coast, roughly between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach, around 155 to 240 kilometres north of Brisbane. The walk sits in the southern section of Cooloola on the northern shore of Lake Cootharaba and is accessed via Elanda Point. From here, the track follows the Cooloola Wilderness Trail for the first 2.8 kilometres before branching east for a further 3.3 kilometres to reach the Kinaba Information Centre.
Elanda Point can be reached by driving north from Brisbane on the Bruce Highway or Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin, a journey of around 135 kilometres. If travelling from Gympie, drive approximately 58 kilometres south and east on the Bruce Highway to Tewantin. From Tewantin, follow McKinnon Drive and Louis Bazzo Drive west and north towards Boreen Point, then turn left onto Lake Flat Road. After about 2 kilometres, turn into the Elanda Point access road and follow it for 1.4 kilometres to reach the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service car park, which marks the start of the walk.
There are no wheelchair accessible facilities on this walk.
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Heading out? Fill in a trip intentions form so someone knows your plans. If things go wrong, they can raise the alarm fast, giving you peace of mind on the trail.
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.
Looking for more walks in or near Great Sandy National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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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.
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