How to Get to Double Island Point from Noosa: 4WD Cooloola Beach!

Are you planning to drive along the Cooloola Coast from Noosa to Double Island Point and wondering how it all works? This iconic 4WD adventure takes you along stunning beaches, past coloured sands, and into one of Queensland’s most beautiful coastal areas.

First-time drivers often feel unsure about the details and having done the drive ourselves, we know it can feel intimidating at first. But, with the right preparation, it’s one of the most rewarding adventures near Noosa.

In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how to do it, covering logistics, highlights, safety, permits, and what to expect along the way. So, your journey to Double Island Point is smooth, safe, and unforgettable.

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How to get from Noosa to Double Island Point Via 4WD Beach

We started our trip from Brisbane, but you can start from anywhere in between there and the Noosa. I have seen plenty of people drive up from the Gold Coast too, but with the increased time, it’s a very long day and easier if you’re closer.

You can start with exiting the “M1 Highway” at “Eumundi Noosa road“, and ending up at Moorindil Street where the Noosa North Shore Ferry crossing is.

If you need directions, please click for the MAP Here.

After crossing the river, we’ll go past the North Shore Campgrounds, drive onto the beach and start heading up the Cooloola Coast or Teewah Beach.

When we get to the end of Cooloola Beach, we’ll cross through the Leisha 4wd Track to Double Island Point and the last stop today.

This 4WD trip will all be explained in more detail further in this article, otherwise click on the video below and be personally guided by us for a visual aspect!

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

Catching the Ferry to Noosa North Shore

The Noosa to Double Island Point Four-Wheel-Drive requires a ferry crossing to Noosa North Shore. You’ll get stopped at the end of Moorindil Street and you simply line up waiting your turn.

This can be a really long line if you’re crossing at a busy period in school holidays or long weekend. But, lucky we were travelling at a slow period.

It will cost $10 dollars for a car each way and you’ll just pay this on the day when getting on the ferry. It helps to have cash and the right amount of money, but the guy should have a little bit of change.

Also know, The Ferry operates from 5:30am to 10:00pm, or midnight on weekends.

You’ll stay in your vehicle and it take about 5 minutes to get across to the other side, Then you’re driving off the ferry and on your way down the road.

Stopping off at the Convenience Store

This section of road is sealed and still usable with a standard two-wheel drive vehicle. It also handy to stop at the Convenience Store, if you need any snacks, day trip supplies, drinks or just filling in time until the tides come down.

This is the Noosa North Shore centre with a bar and grill, souvenirs store and more importantly, alcohol/Bottle shop. Stock up on anything you haven’t packed before heading down the beach, because there are no more stores or facilities after this.

This area is commonly visited for the Noosa North Shore Camping Grounds and we have stayed here on another visit. There is also a Car Wash (with underbody wash) for your Four-wheel-drive, to use after driving on the beach.

Tip: You’re not going to get everything at the shops here, so better to bring with you from home.

Do you need a permit?

While the Noosa North Shore section is free to access, before you drive onto the beach, you’ll need to purchase the Cooloola Vehicle Permit from the Queensland National parks Website. This can be done a couple of days beforehand and the permit is emailed through as soon as you pay for it.

Cooloola 4WD Permits are currently purchased as:

• a daily ($14.90),
• weekly ($38.00),
• monthly ($59.80),
• or Yearly ($300.90) permit

and you MUST tell them which day you’re going, or start date of the period.

Know without a permit, you can be fined and you’ll find out that when you enter the beach, your number plate is read by the cameras in place.

Accessing the Cooloola Beach Drive

It only takes about 10 minutes to get from the ferry to access the Beach. But, here is where you’ll need to keep an eye on the tides and only access the beach if you have enough time.

All the cars will use this spot to let down their tyres (around 18 to 22 PSI). Plus, check they have their gear secured, or wait for the tides.

Please use something like the Willy weather website for Cooloola Beach to help with that. Which tells you the High and Low tide times, as well as tide height.

Your best time will be shortly after a high tide (anything up to two hours), but the weather/ conditions will determine how long after.

On our specific day, we drove onto the beach about 1.5 hours after high tide. I must admit that some areas were still a little high, but it was only going to get better.

Four-Wheel-Driving the Cooloola Coast

This stretch of coastline is only accessible by Four-Wheel-Drive, making it the perfect place to get away from the busy city streets.

However, you’ll also find plenty of people parking up for the day somewhere along the beach for swimming and fishing. Plus, you’re sure to find a spot on your own or with a group of friends.

This is when you can just sit back and admire the beauty that the Queensland coast can offer.

Did you know, the Cherry Venture, a cargo ship wrecked on Teewah Beach in 1973, was a well-known landmark for decades. Although it was removed in 2007 for safety reasons, remnants of the ship are still buried beneath the sand, and occasionally revealed after big storms.

Teewah Beach Camping Zones

While driving along the Cooloola Coast, you’ll pass by the Teewah Beach camping Zones. They have plenty of camping sites stretched over about 20 to 30 kilometres of beach front land.

If you want to stay, camping permits can also be purchased through the QLD parks website.

We also hope to stay at these one day in the future.

It’s a pretty popular camping ground and busy times will book out in advance. It can also be pretty busy and not always suitable for every type of camper. This includes a lacking of wind protection coming off the beach.

But, I love waking up to the sound of the waves. Or sitting back with a few drinks while the sunset in the afternoon.

Using the Freshwater track

You won’t need to use the Freshwater Track for Today’s journey, but nice to have options if you want to explore more.

This track is your inland route to Rainbow Beach, especially if the tides are too high, or the beach is impassable to get there due to obstructions.

This does happen a lot, so it’s nice to know you have options. We have driven on this 4WD trail earlier in the year, before seeing more attractions at Rainbow Beach.

It’s extremely soft sand going through here, also only a single lane track with cars going both ways. Therefore, make sure you have lowered the pressure in your tyres and give way to other cars when you can.

Climbing up to the Double Island Point Lighthouse

Towards the end of Cooloola Coast or Teewah beach there is a nice little cove for swimming. But, also a walking track taking you up to the Double Island Point Lighthouse and lookout point of the rocky headland?

It’s a 2.2 kilometre walk, returning on the same track back to where you started. It was a little steep, but took us about 40 minutes to complete.

Easy to follow and easy enough for us to walk in thongs or slip on shoes. All in all, just another option of something to do along this route.

The lighthouse was built in 1884 and you have some information boards to read when you get up there. Along with the phenomenal views down both side of the beaches.

Crossing Through the Leisha Track

The Leisha track is your access point joining Cooloola Beach and Double Island Point. It’s only 900 metres long and takes about 5 minutes to drive through it.

But, the only way you’re going to get to Double Island Point from Noosa.

Both the entrance and exit are fitted with large 4WD Mats. This will help with traction and to reduce the sand erosion damage.

The track itself is a bit rough and some sections with VERY soft sand. But, easy enough to use if you have lowered your tyre pressure previously.

Before you know it, you have made it over to Double Island Point and our Last stop for the day on this 4wd tour.

Enjoying Double Island Point

If you got lucky with a beautiful day and low tides, then you’ll have plenty of sandy spots to park the Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle up for the day. You can tie down a gazebo, table and chairs. Or lay out an incredible spread for lunch, all of which you need to bring with you.

High tide will have most of this area inaccessible, but as the water reseeds, you’re left with a huge sandy spit and you’re able to drive in and around it.

Busy days will have cars parked up along the shores and family’s taking advantage of the swimming and fishing opportunities.

On occasions, the waves here are a great place to learn to surf and you’ll find tours are run here from Rainbow Beach.

Another tour running from Rainbow beach would be the Kayaking with a potential to see Dolphins. But, If you have your own kayak, just jump in and see how you go yourself.

This area is all part of the Great Sandy National Park, which links the Mainland area to Fraser Island. If you not able to visit Fraser Island, then this area is a great alternative to explore the rainforests growing in sand.

The lagoon swimming area is brilliant for smaller children, or the adults sitting in the water to relax. Probably why it makes this spot very popular for family’s!

Interesting Fact: During WWII, Double Island Point played a role in coastal defence, with the RAAF setting up radar installations to monitor for enemy ships and aircraft. While most remnants are long gone, the area has a fascinating military past.

About the Coloured Sand Cliffs

One of the best viewpoints would be the background of the amazing Coloured Sand Cliffs. You can actually drive right past these if the tides are low and there is no obstructions.

But from here, they are truly gorgeous to see as well.

Over thousands of years, iron-rich minerals have stained the sand with colours of yellow, brown, and red. This is all mixed in with the white sand, and creating a natural art gallery.

The waters off Double Island Point are part of a natural shark migration route, often called the “Shark Highway.” While this might sound scary, the area is also home to one of the largest aggregations of harmless leopard sharks. (especially in summer)

Continuing to Rainbow Beach

The drive between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point is one of the most scenic 4WD beach routes in Queensland, but it does come with a few challenges.

The stretch is well known for its tricky obstructions, with Mudlo Rocks in particular claiming many vehicles over the years when tides and conditions aren’t right.

Despite the risks, when planned carefully around tide times, this section of coastline offers a fantastic beach driving experience, with sweeping views, golden sand, and plenty of adventure along the way.

Wrap Up!

After you have finished for the day at Double Island Point, you have the option to drive onto Rainbow Beach. Otherwise, you can go back the way you came, make a quick pit stop at the car wash, and using the ferry crossing back to Noosa.

However, after all of that excitement, please check out my other Sunshine Coast Articles for researching other things to do in the area.

• Mooloolaba Must-do List of Attractions
• Fun things to do on the Sunshine Coast
• Gold Coast Vs Sunshine Coast – Which is better for you to visit?
• Best Day trips from the Sunshine Coast
• Best Things to do in Caloundra
• Things to see on a Brisbane to Cairns Road trip
• Best Place to Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef