Spend One Day in Rainbow Beach: 11 Ways to fill in Time!

Rainbow Beach attracts two types of visitors: those who enjoy adventure or prefer a laid-back beach vacation. But, if you’re given one day in Rainbow Beach to explore, where would you go?

I’ve set foot on these shores countless times over the past 30 years, and not once did I feel like cutting my trip short. It may be quiet and small, but it’s home to several natural wonders that form its uniqueness, making it difficult to see in a single day.

Therefore, today, I’m going to provide a selection of my favourite spots close to town. I hope you can find at least a couple that resonate with you and can help you plan your day.

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Itinerary for your One Day in Rainbow Beach!

Let me emphasize that Rainbow Beach is more than just a beach. In fact, the trademarks of this Cooloola Coast town are the reason why thousands of tourists flock here each year (including me).

11 Activities in Rainbow Beach!

Below are the best things to do in Rainbow Beach that require the least amount of time to schedule in a Day’s itinerary. Ensure you make the most of your visit and experience the highlights this coastal gem has to offer.

1. Drinks or morning coffee at Sea Salts.

What’s a better way to start your day trip than sipping a warm cup of coffee or visiting late afternoon drinks? The Deck at Sea Salts establishment is conveniently located on the main street, just a few steps from the Tourist Information Centre.

It’s open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week, or late on the weekends for the social crowds. They have a selection of food and music for entertainment, and it is simply an ideal spot for catching up with friends. Apart from that, I found it a nice, quiet spot for that morning coffee overlooking the street, adding a tranquil vibe.

➡  Compare prices for accommodation HERE with Booking.com

2. Take in the beautiful scenery at Poona Lake.

If you’re looking for a freshwater swimming spot, then find your way to Poona Lake. It’s in the Cooloola Recreation Area of Great Sandy National Park, about 10 minutes south of Rainbow Beach.

This destination is ideal not only for those looking forward to freshwater swimming, but also for those who’re up for an easy yet uphill hike.

Poona Lake is famous for its powdery, white sand and clear waters, similar to Lake Mackenzie on Fraser Island. So, if you don’t have enough time to visit the largest sand island in the world, you can still take your travel photos on a white sand beach here.

And yes, this massive lake is FREE to visit! Making it an excellent place for budget travellers. 

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!

3. Venture into the desert.

Carlo Sand Blow is a rare sight along the Queensland Coast. So, if you’re travelling to Rainbow Beach, never leave this free attraction out of your plan.

You can access this 15-hectare sand mass by driving 5 minutes from town and walking a 600-metre sandy walking track through a Eucalyptus forest and rainforest. 

Once you reach the end of the track, you’ll be left in awe by a massive view of the windblown, ever-changing desert. Although, to make the most of your trip, I suggest that you participate in the different dune activities, like tobogganing or windsurfing! 

Otherwise, you can trek longer to the edge of the cliff and enjoy the panoramic view of the Double Island Point, the Coloured Sand Cliffs and Fraser Island.

Note: There’s a hidden track to a smaller yet similar Sand blow, which you can access from Wide Bay Esplanade.

4. Take fun travel photos on the Rainbow Stairs.

Another free attraction that you can visit is the rainbow-painted stairs that will take you from Laurie Hanson Park to the beachfront or 4WD beach access spot and vice-versa.

This also makes a great place for a quick walking tour or exercise between lush greeneries.

Sit or stand on one of the steps and take cool-looking travel photos to post on social media! Or the kids will get a big kick out of running up and down.

5. Swim at the Seary’s Creek

If you don’t have time or energy for Poona Lake, Seary’s Creek is available for a quick cool-off. This creek is just outside town, about 10 minutes south of Rainbow Beach (car park on the Highway), and accessible using a standard vehicle.

Conveniently, you only need to walk a 100-metre-long boardwalk from the parking lot to reach the swimming area. But know that the water of the creek is shallow and mostly chilly, which makes it a perfect swimming spot for hot summer days (even for kids).

Note: The water is a slight brown colour, having been stained by the tannin in the surrounding tee tree leaves. This is common on all the sand Islands in Queensland, like Fraser, Moreton, Stradbroke, and Bribie. 

6. Walk along the Coloured Sand Cliffs

If there’s one thing Rainbow Beach is most famous for, it’s the mesmerizing coloured sand cliffs. This unbelievable natural phenomenon is believed to have been sculpted and reshaped by wind for thousands of years. 

Seeing how this landscape creates streaks of vibrant yellow, red, and brown hues is something I never knew I would see on the coast of Queensland.

There are many ways you can enjoy seeing the coloured sand cliffs. If you like walking and it’s low tide, you can stroll along the beach and see the colours up close (but it will take some time). So, if you have access to a 4WD and the Mudlo Rocks are clear, you can just drive along the beach and reach the coloured cliffs quickly.

Note: Driving a 4WD on Rainbow Beach requires a permit. Or I know of lookout points like the Small Carlo Sand Blow, Wide Bay Esplanade, the Carlo Sand Blow, and next to the Surf Club.

➡  Compare prices for accommodation HERE with Booking.com

7. Spend your afternoon at the Double Island Point Lagoon.

If you have a 4WD high clearance vehicle, you can either drive from Rainbow to Double Island on the beach or through the inland freshwater track to find the turquoise waters and swimming lagoon.

Here, you can sit back and relax or dip into the lagoon to cool off while enjoying the view of the Coral Sea.

However, do you want to do more thrilling activities? You can go surfing, body boarding, paddle boarding on the waters (obviously bringing your own gear), or kayaking to find pods of dolphins.

Alternatively, there is a hike on the short but steep trail to the lighthouse, and you get rewarded by the stunning view of both sides of the Cooloola Coast.

Fun fact: Double Island Point has one of the most extended surf breaks in Queensland!

8. Grab a meal at the Pub.

Rainbow Beach may be a small coastal town, but it doesn’t skimp out on the old-fashioned pub scene, serving mouth-watering dishes and refreshing drinks.

So, if you got hungry after strolling along the beach or tobogganing at the dune, visit The Rainbow Beach Hotel to fill your stomach.

Grab a nice juicy steak, chicken parmy, or serve up the hot chips and sauce for the kids. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the “Wall of Shame”, which features photos of people getting stuck in high tides at Mudlo Rocks and losing their cars. 

9. Go swimming at the beach.

Of course, a Rainbow Beach trip wouldn’t be complete without dipping your body in its crystal-clear waters for swimming!

There’s a patrolled beach in the area, across from Lawrie Hanson Park, where visitors can freely and safely swim on the beach. Although, you can also swim in other areas along the beach shore, just be mindful of the 4WDs driving past all the time.

10. Camp at Inskip Point

Instead of booking accommodation, do something different on your trip and opt for a fun camping experience. Pitch a tent at Inskip Point, 15 minutes north of Rainbow Beach, and soak in the beachside access in this popular spot. 

Inskip Point is one of the prime camping and fishing spots in the area, so you can see a lot of visitors here carrying different camping and fishing gear. You can also bring your leashed dog to this area and walk them along the beach.

Note: In 2015, part of Inskip Point was swallowed by a large sinkhole. Interestingly, I happened to witness a similar occurrence (on a smaller scale) during my visit in 2019.

11. Go fishing

Want to end your day in the most fun and relaxing way? Then, I recommend going fishing either at Inskip Point or Carlo Point Marina.

Due to its abundant marine life, Rainbow Beach is considered a beginner-friendly prime fishing destination compared to other spots nearby. 

In fact, there are fishing tours and charters you can participate in if you want to experience catching a live fish for the first time. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, you will definitely enjoy fishing on the waters of Rainbow Beach.

Wrap Up!

After my many visits, I feel that one day at Rainbow Beach is not really enough time, but not all of us have the luxury of time.

While I always think it’s worth visiting and it will remain one of my favourite laid-back destinations, I do recommend scheduling more time in the future to soak in its atmosphere. 

Alternatively, there’s so much more to explore in Rainbow Beach and Queensland in general, and the list above barely scratches the surface. So, if you want to explore other similar beaches, please check out my other Queensland travel articles!

• Is Hervey Bay worth visiting & the Best Things to do
• Things to do in Bundaberg that make it Worth visiting?
• Best Things to do in Agnes Water & 1770
• 4WDrive from Noosa to Double Island Point
• Exposing the Downsides to a Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Tour
• Tips to know BEFORE planning a Queensland Road Trip
• Things to see on a Brisbane to Cairns Road trip