Rainbow Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Sunshine Coast
Find out why this coastal town is a hub for adventure when you explore superb beaches, secluded campgrounds and awe-inspiring nature reserves.

Rainbow Beach is a cozy township straddling a narrow peninsula in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region. Framed by a varied coastline with the sheltered waters of Tin Can Bay on one side and the vast Coral Sea on the other, Rainbow Beach is perfectly placed for adventures on the water. Check out the rainbow-striped colors in the dunes that give the town its name and learn about the legend according to the local Kabi Aboriginal people.

Spend some time getting acquainted with the little town and stroll down the main strip that leads to the beachfront promenade. Main Beach directly fronts the town and is patrolled by the Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Stretch out on the golden sand or dive into the Coral Sea waters. Rent a sea kayak and explore some of the coast. Join a tour and ride on horseback along the extensive sandy strip. You can ride into the waves and splash in the water with your horse.

The southern outskirts of Rainbow Beach extend into the Cooloola Recreation Area within the Great Sandy National Park. Explore walking trails and four-wheel-drive trails in this mesmerizing coastal landscape. Carlo Sand Blow is the trailhead for the Cooloola Great Walk and an interesting spot for a daytrip. Admire views of the namesake colored sand toward Double Island Point and Inskip Point. More popular trails include the Kinaba Track and the Cooloola Wilderness Trail.

Travel north to reach the tip of Inskip Point and its magnificent campgrounds amid she-oak trees and high dunes. Go fishing in Tin Can Bay and explore the wild eastern beaches of the Coral Sea. From Inskip Point, you can board the ferry bound for World Heritage-listed Fraser Island (K’gari) and find four-wheel-drive trails and secluded campsites.

Rainbow Beach can be reached from Brisbane within 3 hours’ drive. The town is accessible as a stopover on bus charters traveling between Brisbane and Cairns. It is recommended you rent a four-wheel drive when exploring this coastal town to make the most of its exciting trails and secret beaches. Enjoy a range of accommodations options in town or camp overnight and be ready for another day of exciting adventure in Rainbow Beach.

BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
3.5 out of 5
308 Carlo Road, Rainbow Beach, QLD
The price is NZ$172 per night from 27 May to 28 May
NZ$172
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly campground in Rainbow Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Rainbow Beach and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (219 reviews)
"Communication was excellent - friendly on all occassions with easy to follow late-check in instructions. Cabin was clean & comfortable :)"

Reviewed on 6 Mar. 2024

BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Sands Resort
Rainbow Sands Resort
3 out of 5
42-46 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach, QLD
The price is NZ$177 per night from 5 Jun to 6 Jun
NZ$177
per night
5 Jun - 6 Jun
Stay at this motel in Rainbow Beach. Enjoy free parking, balconies or patios, and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Phil Rogers Park and Cooloola Great ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (401 reviews)
"Awesome place. 5star shower. 5star bed. Clean as a whistle. Thick walls & quiet. They Upgraded us to an apartment. Everthing worked like it shouldve. 3 star resort so didnt expect gold fittings. No faults except by outside services, blame main roads for potholes & roadworks & blame Telstra for crap ..."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Rainbow Sands Resort
Debbie's Place
Debbie's Place
4 out of 5
30 Kurana Street, Rainbow Beach, QLD
The price is NZ$219 per night from 5 Jun to 6 Jun
NZ$219
per night
5 Jun - 6 Jun
Stay at this apartment in Rainbow Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (648 reviews)
"Friendly helpful manager. Tasteful and stylish inside and out."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Debbie's Place
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
3.5 out of 5
308 Carlo Road, Rainbow Beach, QLD
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly campground in Rainbow Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Rainbow Beach and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (219 reviews)
"Communication was excellent - friendly on all occassions with easy to follow late-check in instructions. Cabin was clean & comfortable :)"

Reviewed on 6 Mar. 2024

BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
Debbie's Place
Debbie's Place
4 out of 5
30 Kurana Street, Rainbow Beach, QLD
Stay at this apartment in Rainbow Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (648 reviews)
"Friendly helpful manager. Tasteful and stylish inside and out."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Debbie's Place
Rainbow Sea Resort
Rainbow Sea Resort
5 out of 5
3 Ocean View Parade, Rainbow Beach, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury apartment in Rainbow Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Phil Rogers Park and Rainbow Beach are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (142 reviews)
"Unfortunately, I hadn't read the negative reviews before I booked our stay at the Rainbow Sea Resort. While our suite had stunning views over the ocean and was attractively decorated in a Hamptons/beachy style, as shown in the promotional photos, those were the only positives. The bathroom and kitchen ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jul. 2023

Rainbow Sea Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Activities

Reviews of Rainbow Beach

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
62
" "5 - Excellent 60.78431372549019%
4 - Good
32
" "4 - Good 31.372549019607842%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 5.882352941176471%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.9607843137254901%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Jun 2020

not too much to do and not much open due to covid. Good for a weekend away

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Feb 2020

A quiet, sleepy beach destination & the entry point to Fraser Island (via barge)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Dec 2019

Such a quiet relaxing town. We loved exploring the beaches and Seary's Creek. Bring the repellent!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller
24 Dec 2019

Worst

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Nov 2019

.I Am Fire Fighter and have been very busy and needed a little bit of a wind down. Unfortunately the piece and quiet was short lived as we had a group of guys on a Bucks party check in. To our disappointment the language and dissregad for others was

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
13 Oct 2019

Nice place...

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