| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Rainbow Beach, Queensland |
| Pet Friendly | Some nearby campgrounds are dog friendly |
| Facilities | Facilities at Freshwater campground and day use area |
| Vehicle Access | 4WD required for beach access |
| In Camps App | Yes – Fraser Island, Teewah Beach, Inskip Point campsites |
Rainbow Beach has two caravan parks and is surrounded by Queensland National Park’s three most popular camping grounds. They are favourites of generations for good reasons – beachside or on the Island and some are even dog friendly. These famous grounds include Fraser Island, Teewah Beach and Inskip Point. Check out your Camps 10 for these campsites and locations or the Camps Australia Wide App, and do book ahead!
From a local, to you, here’s our Top 10 natural ‘must-dos’ in Rainbow Beach and the surrounds:
1. Carlo Sandblow
It really is something special and that first arrival takes your breath away. Sunsets are the most popular time, the huge expanse is also perfect for cricket and touch footy, sliding and exploring.
2. The Beach
Our iconic Coloured Sands, rock pools that change daily, mini-waterfalls and the “little sandblow” means there is a lot more to do on our beach than swim and build castles! Remember, swim between the flags.
3. Seary’s Creek
With pristine waters and boardwalks, kids can paddle on their boogie board or wade from one deck to the other.
4. Double Island Point
There’s a lighthouse and headland, full of history and a wonderful spot for watching turtles, rays, dolphins and whales, during the season. The northern side is a surfer’s mecca – with the Eastern Seaboard’s longest wave, natural lagoons that change each time we drive there. Look back across the beach to Carlo Sandblow and those Coloured Sands – and the bonus is the Great Beach Drive (4WD of course). Teewah Beach is the southern side of the Headland, with the camp spots – much further down. If tides are high, or the beach is impassable – take the Freshwater Track to and from here to Rainbow Beach. Facilities are at Freshwater campground and day use area.
5. Poona Lake
An easy walk starts at Bymien Picnic Area, not far from town, and you don’t need a 4WD to get there. Swim (or admire if you walk there in winter, it is always cold), catch yabbies and or spot goannas. You can walk here from town, too – it’s only 9-ish km one way…
6. Inskip Point
It is the sort of place where memories are made: paddling in the calmer shores (stay close to shore – there are no shark nets here). 4WD non-negotiable and bring your fishing rods!
7. Carlo Point
This fishing favourite, known to locals, is seriously underrated. One of the caravan parks is located here – 3 km from town. You are guaranteed a sunset over the water, and there’s not many places on the east coast, you can say that! There’s a boat ramp here, and at Bullock Point – so it is a perfect place for fishers, kayakers and canoeists.
8. Tin Can Bay Esplanade
I love walks along Tin Can Bay Inlet. There’s little bridges to cross, signage about local fauna and flora, ALWAYS boats in the calm waters and beachy areas to stop and swim, if you want. Another boating and fishing favourite – I just love to walk it, low or high tide. From Norman Point to Crab Creek is at least 4 km – if you are keen for more the Snapper Creek side of Tin Can Bay has a wildflower walk, too! (Some nice stop offs for coffee and fish and chips, too!)
9. Feed the dolphins
Start early if you want to feed the dolphins – Tin Can Bay is 30 minutes away (unless you travel by boat). The volunteers will let you in the water near the dolphins and feeding time is at 8am. Please note that charges do apply, but I think they are well worth it. There are not many places in Australia you can feed wild dolphins. These rare Indo-Pacific dolphins come in most mornings and bring their babies with them!
10. Mudlo Rocks
Now I am really letting you in on local knowledge: when the rocks are more exposed, and tourism is peak season – this is THE place for spectator sport. Please don’t let it be you: ask locals, check tide times and the conditions report BEFORE you attempt the beach drive. However, at any time or season, we love visiting these rocks, they are just south of the Surf Club and change every single day. Sometimes our jumping rock is exposed with a little rockpool below, at other times it is barely knee high. I love living by the tides here.
So, I hope that helps you plan your next trip to Rainbow Beach! I haven’t even touched on our favourite eats, favourite tours or walks! Or Fraser island K’gari! Stay tuned…
Where to camp around Rainbow Beach
You can stay in the township itself or right on the sand at Inskip Point. These are the personally checked places to stay within 15 km, measured straight-line from the middle of Rainbow Beach.
| Type | Within 15 km | Closest |
|---|---|---|
| National park campgrounds | 7 | 8.4 km |
| Caravan & holiday parks | 4 | 1.1 km |
| Total places to stay | 11 | 1.1 km |
In town, Rainbow Beach Holiday Village is 1.1 km and BIG4 Breeze 2.3 km. North of town, the Inskip Point camping areas sit 8 to 11 km out, right by the Fraser Island barge ramp. These are open beachfront sites behind the foredunes, and the reason a lot of people come here in the first place. Their names, MV Natone, MV Beagle and MV Sarawak, remember ships lost off this stretch of coast; there is nothing left to see of them, but the stories are good ones. Tin Can Bay adds two more parks at about 8 km.
Have it on your phone…
Take all 11 campsites with you, and the other 16,000+ as well. Prices, facilities, access notes and GPS in the Camps Australia Wide App, working offline when your phone has no signal. From $14.99 a year.
…or on your dash
The same personally checked campsites are in CAMPS 13, CAMPSPendium 2 and Caravan Parks 7. Nothing to charge, nothing to update, and no signal needed.
Every campsite personally checked by our team. On the road since 1992. No paid listings, ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a 4WD to visit Rainbow Beach?
A 4WD is essential for beach driving to Double Island Point, Teewah Beach and Inskip Point. However, attractions like Carlo Sandblow, Poona Lake and Seary’s Creek are accessible without 4WD.
Are dogs allowed at Rainbow Beach camping areas?
Some of the nearby campgrounds including Fraser Island, Teewah Beach and Inskip Point are dog friendly. Check the Camps App for current details on pet policies for specific sites.
What time should I arrive to feed the dolphins at Tin Can Bay?
Feeding time is at 8am and you should start early. Tin Can Bay is 30 minutes from Rainbow Beach by road. Charges apply for this experience with wild Indo-Pacific dolphins.
When is the best time to visit Carlo Sandblow?
Sunsets are the most popular time to visit Carlo Sandblow. The huge expanse is perfect for cricket, touch footy, sliding and exploring at any time of day.
Is it safe to swim at Rainbow Beach?
Always swim between the flags at the patrolled beach. At Inskip Point, stay close to shore as there are no shark nets. Check local conditions and tide times before any beach activities.
What facilities are available at the beach camping areas?
Facilities are available at Freshwater campground and day use area. For specific facilities at Fraser Island, Teewah Beach and Inskip Point sites, check the Camps App for current details.
Can I access Double Island Point when tides are high?
If tides are high or the beach is impassable, take the Freshwater Track to and from Double Island Point to Rainbow Beach. Always check tide times and conditions before attempting beach drives.
How far is Poona Lake from Rainbow Beach town?
The walk to Poona Lake starts at Bymien Picnic Area, not far from town. You can also walk from town – it’s approximately 9 km one way. No 4WD required to access the picnic area.
Wondering where to actually park up? Our guide to camping near Rainbow Beach lists every personally checked option within 50 km, including the uncomfortable truth that there is no free camping here.
