Cooloola Wilderness Trail
Rainbow Beach

This trail in the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park offers walkers a wilderness experience of wildflowers, chattering birds, cool clear waterways and solitude. This is a harsh yet stunning coastal environment, where conditions vary greatly, from hot and dry summers to cool winters. Low-lying areas are usually wet all year round.

The northern end of the trail is at Mullens car park and the southern end is at Elanda Point. Both points can be accessed by conventional (2WD) vehicles.

From Mullens car park to Harry's camping area the trail crosses the western catchment and Noosa Plain. Tall eucalypt and banksia forests on deep sandy soils give way to low wallum on shallow soils. From Harry's camping area to Elanda Point, the trail passes through remnant rainforest on the rich deep soils along Kin Kin Creek, and paperbark and cabbage palm wetlands on adjacent waterlogged plains.

Walk Highlights

• Rainforest remnants
• Clear flowing waterways
• Abundant birdlife
• Wildflowers

Walk Hints

The trail can be walked from either end, from east Mullen car park in the north or Elanda Point in the south.

Camping is available at Neebs and Wandi waterholes, Fig Tree Point and Harry's campgrounds. Bring your own fuel stove, fires are not permitted within the park.

Treat any water collected in the park prior to drinking.

The trail follows mostly level terrain, but it is a long walk and can be strenuous in high summer temperatures. You need to be relatively fit. Do not walk after heavy rain as low-lying areas and creek crossings will be flooded.

Best Time To Go

Late winter and early spring are best when the wildflowers are blooming.