Rainbow Beach at a glance
Rainbow Beach is a mainland town in Queensland with two roles. It has the coloured cliffs and dunes that give it its name, and it is the base for the Inskip Point barge. Inskip Point is about a 15-minute drive away, and the barge crossing to K'gari takes about 10 minutes.
You can stay on the mainland and visit the island on a guided day tour. The tour from Rainbow Beach runs daily via Inskip Point, with the ferry, morning tea, a buffet lunch, park fees and fuel levy included. If you drive yourself, read the 4WD guide and the ferry guide first.
The coloured sands of Rainbow Beach
Where the colours come from.
The yellow, brown and red tones of the cliffs and dunes come from iron-rich minerals. Wind and rain erosion expose older sand layers. The Cooloola coast and K'gari belong to the same sand mass.
The cliffs are not a place to climb. The park service warns of unstable cliffs and dunes at Rainbow Beach, Teewah Beach and Double Island Point. Do not climb or dig, and do not stand, sit or park at the foot of a cliff. The warning, in force from March 2025 to March 2027, notes a risk of serious injury.
Our picks: tours from Rainbow Beach
A full-day coach tour and two camping trips that start in town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day camping 4WD adventure from Rainbow Beach
Two nights in a fenced beach camp, national park permits, return ferry, fuel, 4WD hire and meals are included. Showers cost A$2 per use, and alcohol is extra.
Check availability →
2-day camping 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach
One night in a fenced beach camp, with national park, camping and 4WD permits, return ferry, fuel, 4WD hire and meals included. Showers cost A$2 per use, and alcohol is extra.
Check availability →
Full-day 4WD coach tour from Rainbow Beach
Return ferry, guide, buffet lunch and morning tea are included, with stops at Lake McKenzie, the rainforest, the Maheno and 75 Mile Beach. Permit and park fees are not listed separately.
Check availability →K'gari tours from Rainbow Beach
Day tours and trips to K'gari that start at Rainbow Beach, with live prices and availability.
Carlo Sandblow
The Carlo Sandblow is a large sand blow that you reach on foot. The park profile lists the walk from the QPWS information centre as 2.8 km one way, about 1 hour, grade 3. A shorter start is available at the Carlo Sandblow car park at the end of Cooloola Drive. That short route is not the same as the full walk, so check which start you are using.
The profile lists the site as open 24 hours and not suitable for wheelchairs. Take water and sun protection.
Double Island Point and the beach drive
A drive that cannot be planned on the tide alone.
Sand movement
A park alert for Double Island Point says moving sand and deep holes in the saltwater lagoon can block access to the Wide Bay side and the sand spit, and can stop passage to Rainbow Beach at any tide. The alert period runs from 5 December 2025 to 5 December 2026. A low tide does not guarantee a way through.
Cliffs on the beach
The cliff warning also covers Teewah Beach and Double Island Point. Stay clear of the base of the cliffs when you walk or park.
Permits
The Inskip Peninsula needs no vehicle access permit, according to the park service. The combined Cooloola and K'gari permit is A$99.25 for up to 1 month in 2026. Read the permit rules for each area.
Permit prices →From Rainbow Beach to K'gari
Two ways across, one starting point.
Guided day tour
The Rainbow Beach day tour runs daily via Inskip Point. If you travel to the meeting point yourself, it is at 36 Rainbow Beach Road, and selected local transfers are offered. The 2026/27 adult price is A$279 in low season (13 October to 11 December 2026), A$299 in shoulder season (12 to 20 December 2026) and A$319 in high season (21 December 2026 to 10 January 2027). Children aged 4–17 pay A$199, A$239 and A$279, and a family of 2 adults and 2 children pays A$799, A$899 or A$1,049. Confirm the departure time when you book.
Self-drive barge
The Inskip Point barge runs from 06:00, with the last departure at 16:45 and the last return from the island at 17:00 in 2026. A 4WD is A$115 single or A$150 return, and the operator prefers a booking. You can pay in cash on board but not by card.
Erosion at the landing
Severe erosion has left a single-lane approach to the barge landing with oncoming traffic, according to a park alert valid from March 2026 to January 2027. Drive to Inskip Point only within 2 hours either side of low tide and allow time for delays. Fishing, swimming and parking in the barge approach area are not allowed.
Ferry guide →
Rainbow Beach: frequently asked questions
Why is it called Rainbow Beach?
The cliffs and dunes show yellow, brown and red tones from iron-rich minerals. Erosion by wind and rain exposes older sand layers.
How long is the Carlo Sandblow walk?
The full walk from the information centre is 2.8 km one way and takes about 1 hour. A shorter start is at the car park at the end of Cooloola Drive.
Can I go from Rainbow Beach to K'gari in one day?
Yes. The guided day tour runs daily via Inskip Point and includes the ferry, morning tea, a buffet lunch and park fees. A self-drive 4WD can use the barge from Inskip Point, about a 10-minute crossing.
Is it safe to drive from Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point?
Not always. A park alert says moving sand and deep holes can block passage at any tide until 5 December 2026. Check the latest alerts and the tide before you try.
Do I need a permit at Rainbow Beach?
The Inskip Peninsula needs no vehicle access permit, according to the park service. The island and other areas have their own rules, so read the 4WD page.