Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

Take a walk across the Cooloola Sand Patch and be rewarded with panoramic views. Photo credit: © Sue Gregory

Four-wheel drive past towering coastal sand cliffs and coloured sands in the paradise of Cooloola Recreation Area. Photo credit: © Tomek Z Genek

Cooloola Sand Patch walk

Discover one of Cooloola’s iconic natural wonders, a large sandblow on towering sandmass hills with panoramic views over the Upper Noosa River.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
12km return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 5hr walking time.
Grade
Grade 4 walking track

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD
  • Boat
  • Canoe or kayak

Journey facilities

  • Lookout (natural)
  • Walking

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Revel in this adventurous hike from Upper Noosa River campsite 3 on the Upper Noosa River to the northern end of a sand blow known as the Cooloola Sand Patch. This walk follows the Cooloola Great Walk, meandering through coastal heath along a low sandy ridge then clambering up the steep but shaded sides of the Cooloola sand mass. As you climb, your path will take you through blackbutt and scribbly gum forests and woodlands with an understorey of grass trees.

Feel the exhilaration of making it to edge of the Cooloola Sand Patch, 2km long and bare of vegetation. Enjoy panoramic views back over the Upper Noosa River catchment, including Lake Cooloola, Lake Como and Lake Cootharaba.

Refer to the Cooloola and Inskip recreation areas discovery guide (PDF, 4.4MB) for a map and more details.

Getting there and getting around

Cooloola Sand Patch walk is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

  • This walk is in the southern part of Cooloola in the Upper Noosa River waterway and starts at Upper Noosa River campsite 3.
  • You can access this walk via canoe from Elanda Point or boat from Boreen Point boat ramp.
  • Alternatively you can paddle a canoe or walk from Harrys day-use area, which is accessible only by high clearance four-wheel drive (4WD).
  • Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.
  • Read water safety for important information about staying safe in and near water and caring for parks.

From Elanda Point and Boreen Point

  • From Brisbane drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin; or from Gympie drive 58km south and east on the Bruce Highway to Tewantin.
  • From Tewantin drive 19km west and north via McKinnon Drive and Louis Bazzo Drive to Boreen Point. Turn left onto Lake Flat Road and drive 2km to the Elanda Point access road.

By canoe

  • Launch your canoe at Elanda Point and paddle 19.2km (3hr 40min) across Lake Cootharaba and into the Upper Noosa River to Upper Noosa River campsite 3.
  • Stay close to the shoreline while paddling northwards across the lake. Plan to cross Lake Cootharaba early in the morning when conditions are likely to be calm and travel is easiest.

By boat

  • Launch your boat from the Boreen Point boat ramp and travel 21.7km (1hr 45min) to Upper Noosa River campsite 3
  • From the boat ramp, follow the lake navigational markers out into deeper water of Lake Cootharaba and then head on a north-east trajectory towards the visible Cooloola Sand Patch in the distant landscape.
  • When you approach a red navigational marker in the middle of the lake (opposite Elanda Point), turn on a near northerly trajectory to the channel markers, through very shallow shoals, to the Kinaba Information Centre.
  • From Kinaba, travel north (6 knots maximum speed limit) to Fig Tree Point day-use area and then follow the Upper Noosa River to Upper Noosa River campsite 3.

Via Harrys day-use area

  • From Brisbane, drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin. Follow McKinnon Drive, Louis Bazzo Drive and Junction Road for about 18km north-west to Cootharaba Road. Turn right and travel about 10km along Cootharaba, Kimmond Creek and Dr Pages roads to the Gympie Kin Kin Road. Turn right and drive 6km, then turn right onto Cooloola Way.
  • From Gympie, drive 10km east on Tin Can Bay Road, turn right onto to the Gympie Kin Kin Road and drive about 31km, then turn left onto Cooloola Way.
  • Drive 4km on Cooloola Way then turn right into Harrys Hut Road and drive another 10km on this very rough sand track to Harrys day-use area.
  • Launch your canoe to cross the river to the start of the Campsite 3 walk and walk 7km (3hr) to Upper Noosa River campsite 3 to the start of the Cooloola Sand Patch walk.
  • Alternatively, paddle your canoe from Harrys day-use area for 7.7km (1hr 20min) to Upper Noosa River campsite 3 and the start of this walk.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Drinking water

No drinking water is provided along the Cooloola Sand Patch walk. Bring enough water with you for this journey.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Cooloola Sand Patch walk is open 24 hours a day.

Check Park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Recreation Area safely and Walk with care.

View all park alerts