National park · Australia
Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola)Cooloola section, Great Sandy National Park
Entry is free; the money goes on permits and transport. Day-walk the Cooloola Sandpatch and Carlo tracks from Elanda Point, or pay for a camp permit and a 4WD to reach Double Island Point. Skip the Great Sandy Information Centre detour unless you need maps.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,840 km² (710 sq mi)710 sq mi (1,840 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,840 km² (710 sq mi)710 sq mi (1,840 km²)
- Approximate area of the Cooloola section; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
The Cooloola section is the mainland half of Great Sandy National Park: a belt of sand, heath, paperbark swamp and rainforest running north from the Noosa River to Double Island Point. It holds one of the world's two everglade systems, along the upper Noosa River, and 44% of Australia's bird species have been recorded in the area. There is no entry gate and no entry fee; what you pay for is a camping permit, a vehicle access permit for the beach, or a canoe and boat tour. The southern trailheads sit about 25 minutes' drive from Noosa, so this is a day trip, not an expedition.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve / Man and the Biosphere listing for the Cooloola area (check).
- Special national siteOn Australia's tentative World Heritage list since 2010 (check).
Size and age
1,840 km² (710 sq mi)710 sq mi (1,840 km²) · national park since 1970
Approximate area of the Cooloola section; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- One of only two everglade systems in the world, on the upper Noosa River, reached by canoe or boat rather than by road.
- Sand that behaves like rock: the Cooloola Sandpatch is a bare dune field you can walk across in an hour.
- Rainforest, heath and mangrove in the same day's walk, all within 30 km (19 mi) of Noosa.Rainforest, heath and mangrove in the same day's walk, all within 19 mi (30 km) of Noosa.
- A 4WD beach run to Double Island Point that most visitors never do, because it needs a permit and low tide.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, humid, storm season; sand burns
- FebWettest month; tracks boggy
- MarRain easing; mosquitoes heavy
- AprWarm, drier, clear water
- MayMild days, cool nights, few people
- JunDry and clear; cold mornings
- JulPeak domestic season; book camps
- AugDry, windy on the beach
- SepWarm, dry, whales offshore
- OctWarming up; storms return late month
- NovHot and humid; afternoon storms
- DecSchool holidays; heat and crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbirds and raptors on the Noosa River and Lake CootharabaApr–Sep · The area records a large share of Australia's bird species. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Humpback whales offshoreJun–Oct · Visible from headlands and the beach during the migration. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and sandfliesNov–Mar · Worst around the swamps and river at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Goannas, echidnas and kangaroosAll year · Common along tracks and camp areas; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Noosa Heads
Drive northwest on McKinnon Drive, then Louis Basso Drive and unsealed Elanda Point Road to the Elanda Point trailheads.
30–40 min
From Pomona
Take Louis Basso Drive to the Elanda Point turn-off.
20–30 min
From Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach Road reaches the northern section and the beach access points.
20–30 min
From Brisbane
Drive north to the Sunshine Coast, then follow signs via Noosa or Pomona.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Cooloola (Elanda Point and Lake Cootharaba) | Trailheads, canoe launch, paperbark swamp and the start of the everglades. | Open; unsealed road, 2WD usually fine in dry weather. |
| Upper Noosa River and the everglades | The narrow dark-water river system with its birdlife and tea-coloured water. | Canoe or boat only; no road. |
| Cooloola Sandpatch and central dunes | Bare sand blows, heath and the Carlo and Sandpatch walking tracks. | Open on foot; some access tracks are 4WD only. |
| Northern Cooloola and Double Island Point | Beach driving, the lighthouse headland and the long sweep of Teewah Beach. | 4WD with a vehicle access permit; check tides before setting out. |
Sketch map
- 1Great Sandy Information Centre, Tewantin · Headquarters≈-26.375, 153.037Maps and park advice; daily 8:00–15:00, closed Christmas Day (check).Maps and park advice; daily 8:00 AM–3:00 PM, closed Christmas Day (check).Map ↗
- 2Elanda Point trailhead · Gate≈-26.273, 153.028Approximate; southern access via unsealed Elanda Point Road.Map ↗
- 3Cooloola Sandpatch · Viewpoint≈-26.179, 153.071Map ↗
- 4Kinaba Visitor Information Centre · Ranger station≈-26.233, 153.026Reached mainly by boat from Lake Cootharaba.Map ↗
- 5Cooloola Tramway · Trail≈-25.994, 153.076Map ↗
- 6Double Island Point lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-25.932, 153.189Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the Cooloola section, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Cooloola section) | Free | person | No entry fee for day use; you pay only for permits, camping and transport. |
| Vehicle access permit (Cooloola Recreation Area, beach and inland tracks) | Free | vehicle | Required for 4WD beach driving; priced by period (day, week, year) — check current rates with Queensland Parks. |
| Camping permit (tent, per person per night) | Free | person per night | Walk-in and 4WD camps are booked online in advance; rates vary by camp — check. |
| Canoe hire from Elanda Point area | Free | canoe per day | Operators set their own prices; book ahead in school holidays — check. |
| Guided Noosa Everglades boat tour | Free | person | Half-day and full-day departures from the Noosa River area — check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Camping permit permit or guide
Vehicle access permit permit or guide
Day walking no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated camps with a booked permit; no camping on the beach or at trailheads.
- Beach driving
- 4WD only, with a vehicle access permit, and only around low tide; soft sand and washouts catch 2WD vehicles.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the national park, including on the beach sections inside the park boundary.
- Fires
- No open fires; use a fuel stove. Total fire bans apply in hot, dry weather.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from Queensland Parks (check).check
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach wildlife; keep food sealed and rubbish out of the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Habitat Noosa (Elanda Point area)
Holiday park with cabins and camping beside Lake Cootharaba, close to the southern trailheads.
Near the park
Noosa Heads and Noosaville
Full range of hotels, apartments and hostels, 30–40 minutes from the park.
In the park
Park camps (walk-in and 4WD)
Basic bush camps booked through Queensland Parks; bring water and take everything out.
Safety
Tides and soft sand on Teewah Beach high
Heat and no shade on the dunes medium
Bushfire medium
Getting lost on sand tracks medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Great Sandy Information Centre in Tewantin is step-free and has maps and staff advice.
- The Cooloola Sandpatch and Carlo tracks are soft sand and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Boat-based access to Kinaba and the everglades suits visitors who cannot walk far, if you can board a boat.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; dune vegetation is fragile and slow to recover.
- Take all rubbish out, including food scraps, and use the toilets at trailheads and camps.
- Keep to low-tide beach driving routes to avoid disturbing shorebirds and nesting turtles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Great Sandy National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for the Cooloola section and no gate. You pay only for a camping permit, a vehicle access permit if you drive the beach or sand tracks, and any canoe hire or guided boat tour.
What are the best hikes in Great Sandy National Park?
For a short day: the Cooloola Sandpatch walk (1–2 hours) and the Carlo track (2–3 hours) from the Elanda Point area. For something longer, the Cooloola Great Walk runs 4–5 days through the park with booked camps.
When is the best time to visit Great Sandy National Park?
April to September. Days are mild and drier, the water is clear and whales pass offshore from June. December to March is hot, humid and stormy, with heavy mosquitoes around the swamps.
Do I need a 4WD to visit?
No for the southern day walks and the everglades, which are reached by sealed and short unsealed roads. Yes for Teewah Beach and the northern sand tracks, and you also need a vehicle access permit and a low tide.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, in designated camps only, with a permit booked online in advance through Queensland Parks. Bring drinking water and take all rubbish out; there are no shops inside the park.
Are there crocodiles in the Noosa Everglades?
No. The river is south of the crocodile range, so swimming and canoeing are not a crocodile risk — but the water is tidal and cold, and afternoon winds make the paddle back harder.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go