Teewah Beach to Rainbow Beach — Double Island Point Beach Run
Tide-timed sand driving past the Coloured Sands.
This one runs on the clock of the moon. The Cooloola beach drive starts at Noosa North Shore and heads up Teewah Beach, past the Coloured Sands, wind-carved cliffs banded in ochre, rust and cream. It keeps going to Double Island Point, where a lighthouse sits on a headland and the Leisha Track cuts across the sandy neck inland when the tide is too high. From the point you drop onto Rainbow Beach’s long sweep and finish at the town. About 38 miles of beach and track, all of it sand, with creek mouths that can chew a tyre or a diff if you get cocky.
Honest difficulty is Moderate. A 4WD is mandatory and you should drop tyre pressures to about 18-20 psi. Time your run for two hours either side of low tide. The soft sand around Teewah Creek and the Leisha Track dunes can bog a rig that isn’t set up right. Wash the salt off after. You need a Queensland vehicle access permit, and camping needs its own booking at designated zones. Fuel up at Rainbow Beach or Tewantin before you go. Best from April to October to dodge heat and storm swell. You get the best coastal driving in Australia and a good beach campfire if the tides line up. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 330 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD (low tyre pressure essential) |
| Nearest town | Rainbow Beach, Queensland |
| Land manager | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (Great Sandy National Park, Cooloola) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD do the Double Island Point beach run?
Yes. A stock high-range 4WD with decent ground clearance is enough, as long as you drop tyre pressures (commonly 18-20 psi) and carry a gauge and compressor. Two-wheel-drive and AWD crossovers without low range regularly get stuck in the soft sand.
Is the beach run open in winter?
Yes, April to October is the best window: cooler, drier, and you may see humpback whales off Double Island Point from roughly June to November. Storm surge or cyclone erosion can close or damage sections at any time of year, so check QPWS alerts before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive Teewah Beach to Rainbow Beach?
Yes. You need a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service vehicle access permit for Great Sandy National Park, bought online before you go. Camping on the beach needs a separate camping permit, and fees change, so check the QPWS site.
What's the hardest part of the run?
The tide-dependent stretches are the hardest. Around Double Island Point, soft chopped-up sand and rocky or narrow beach at higher tides can stop vehicles, and creek crossings across the beach get deeper and boggier as the tide comes in. Plan to pass the tricky sections within about two hours either side of low tide.
How do I time the run, and is there phone service?
Check the tide tables and plan to drive the 61 km around low tide, with no stopping on the soft sand below the high-tide line. Cell service is spotty along the coast, so carry a UHF radio or satellite communicator, recovery gear, and extra water. Rinse the underside of your vehicle afterward to get rid of the salt.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.