It’s the perfect getaway, an idyllic coastal town set against the rainbow colored sand dunes from which it got its name. The name of this vacation paradise is Rainbow Beach. It is located in the picturesque Cooloola Region, along the south eastern coast of Queensland between Fraser Island and Noosa. There is so much to see and experience in this coastal hideaway. You can go camping, swimming, sailing, fishing and it’s a dream spot for 4WD enthusiasts. Rainbow Beach is away from the hustle and bustle of other destinations so it’s the ideal place to release some stress and lose yourself; even if you only have one day.
I had to make some preparations before setting out for Rainbow Beach. I was staying at the Noosa Lake Retreat and being a nature lover I thought it would be nice to explore some of the surrounding nature spots. I decided to hire a car, which would allow me to get to as many areas as possible in the short time I had. I made sure to look for a vehicle that could manage the sandy tracks I would encounter and of course got a 4WD vehicle which is really the only way to travel on the beach. It turned out to be a great experience seeing the natural sights and landscape up close.
There were a couple of other things I needed to be aware of since I would be driving along the beach, most important of which was the tide. It was clearly spelt out in my hire agreement for the 4WD that I should drive only 2 hours either side of the low tide. I was also cautioned to drive on the beach only during daytime and to reduce tire pressure when driving on the sand to improve mobility. Driving was a bit tricky and I did come across more 4WD vehicles than I had anticipated but the regular rules of the road did apply so that made things easier.
I approached Rainbow Beach from the Noosa north shore an area that’s known for fishing and birdlife. Once I arrived I was able to quickly find a spot at Rainbow Waters to camp out for the day. The sights there were exquisite. What stood out for me were the large sand dunes that littered the landscape and from which you can view the coast if you are game enough to climb to the top. The sand there has the most unusual colors mostly reds and yellows but there are several hues in between. The sea itself was the deepest blue you can imagine.
Later in the day I decided to make the short journey to Fraser Island which I’d heard was just as beautiful. The tide was good that day so I managed to make it and enjoy a taste of the sand Island. It was just as striking as the descriptions. The main attraction for me was the freshwater lakes although the pristine beach, sand dunes, rainforests and birdlife were also eye-catching.
One thing that struck me was how friendly the people of Rainbow Beach are. Tourism had not spoilt the area in any way as sometimes happens when spots like these are opened up to tourists. So you get to enjoy the surroundings without any pressure. The scenic beauty of the beach and abundance of trees and grasslands is enough to satisfy the most discriminating nature lover. It was certainly one of the most tranquil places I’ve visited and the experience of driving on the beach was remarkable. I plan to go there again, very soon.
