Rainbow Beach is a small town at the gateway to K'gari: coloured sand cliffs, a huge dune above the sea and hostels offering 4WD tours to the island. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.
You reach Rainbow Beach by long-distance bus or by car via Gympie, about three hours from Brisbane. In town everything is within walking distance. For Double Island Point and K'gari you need a 4WD or a tour.
Rainbow Beach is warm all year. Swimming is best from October to April; winter is dry and mild. The coloured sand cliffs are best seen at low tide.
A hostel with a pool that runs its own K'gari tours — handy if you're travelling without a car.
A hostel with a pool and bar in the town centre, popular with backpackers before and after their K'gari tour.
Beach camping at the ferry landing for K'gari, permit only. Only camp in the designated areas.
A long wave off the headland with a lighthouse, often with dolphins in the line-up. Only reachable by 4WD along the beach — watch the tides, as the beach can't be driven at high tide.
The patrolled main beach is right in front of town. Only swim between the flags. Swimming is most pleasant from October to April.
A huge sand dune above the sea, a 600-metre walk from the car park. From the top you look over Rainbow Beach to K'gari. Most beautiful at sunset — bring a torch for the walk back. Free.
Sand cliffs in over 70 shades line the beach towards Double Island Point — hence the town's name. Best walked along the beach at low tide. Don't sit right below the cliffs; the sand breaks off.
A sandy spit with campsites, where the ferry to K'gari leaves. Camping by permit only. Note the safety warning below — there have been dangerous sinkholes here.
Safety: Sinkholes here have swallowed cars, caravans and tents. Only camp in the designated areas and respect closures.
The small town centre has cafés, hostels and tour offices for K'gari. Most guided tours to the island start here.
A huge sand dune above the sea at Rainbow Beach, 600 metres from the car park, with views to K'gari — especially beautiful at sunset.
On a guided tour from town, or with your own 4WD and the ferry from Inskip Point. For that you need a vehicle permit.
Only in the designated areas. Sinkholes here have swallowed cars and tents — always respect closures.
All spots on the Rainbow Beach map. Nearby: K'gari and Hervey Bay to the north and Noosa to the south.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.