Coloured Sands and Rainforest Safari:
From Noosa Heads to Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Safaris can show you every unique aspect of this truly magnificent area, in the comfort of a luxury 4wd. See the stunning 40 mile beach, swim in the tranquil waters of Rainbow Beach, and visit the lighthouse, all in half a day.
Visitors to the Sunshine Coast don’t have to do a long 12 hour day tour to Fraser Island to enjoy a ‘World Heritage’ sand experience....Cooloola is much closer and half the cost!
Our sand safari takes you to remote, pristine beaches only accessible by 4wd. Also, take a walk through stunning sub-tropical rainforest. You’ll have the chance to take a refreshing swim in the tranquil waters of Rainbow Beach, famous for its 200 metre high coloured sand dunes. Drive the length of 40 mile beach. Enjoy breathtaking vistas from Double Island Point lighthouse....regular sightings of dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales (whales only between July and October)
Our small group sizes ensure the safari experience is a highly personalised and flexible ‘journey of discovery’ on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola Section)
The Great Sandy National Park (GSNP), which is situated just north of Noosa, includes 2 vast wilderness areas – Fraser Island to the north, and Cooloola in the South. These 2 wilderness regions share many similarities – including geology, geography, flora and fauna. The main distinct difference is the Cooloola section is still part of the mainland, like Fraser Island was may thousands of years ago. Scientists say the GSNP is the largest ‘vegetated sand dune system’ in the world.
The Cooloola section covers an area of approximately 70,000 hectares and stretches from Noosa to Rainbow Beach. It is considered such a unique wilderness region it has recently been nominated for ‘World Heritage’ listing. Cooloola contains a vast array of natural wonders, including the Noosa River and Lakes system, high dune rainforests and perched lakes, not to mention more than 80kms of pristine beaches.
Tour Route:
Our journey begins as we cross Noosa River on a vehicle ferry. Then enjoy an exhilarating drive along the magnificent 40 Mile Beach, making a stop at the ‘Red Canyon’, which is one of the best places to see the amazing coloured sands. Then we head up to the lighthouse on Double Island Point, where you will enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views. From here, there’s a good chance of seeing dolphins, manta rays, and turtles. Also, during the months of July-October, you can see humpback whales. After the lighthouse, we continue to the stunning Rainbow Beach, with its 200 metre high coloured sand dunes. It makes an excellent backdrop while you take a swim in the tranquil waters of Rainbow Beach. Then we take you on a sandy 4wd track which meanders through a towering sub-tropical rainforest, which grows high in the sand dunes. Return to Noosa.
Our Staff:
Our guides are all eco-accredited and highly experienced. They practice interpretive guiding, which means guests will be given an informative experience that appeals to all their senses, rather than being bombarded with just facts and figures. We are a locally owned and operated company. Our family have lived on the Sunshine Coast since the late 1800’s. We pride ourselves on making the tour experience a highly personalised one.
Our vision:
Our vision is to operate a ‘true’ eco-tourism venture, which leaves guests with an unforgettable and rewarding travel experience, in one of Australia’s most pristine environments.
For us a ‘true’ eco-tourism experience has 3 important characteristics:
1. Nature based
2. Educational (natural and cultural heritage)
3. Sustainable (includes ‘putting back’ into the areas in which we operate through conservation projects)
Cooloola Safaris contributes to a Noosa based conservation group called Noosa Parks Association (NPA)(weblink). www.noosaparks.org.au
We are also part of the EcoBiz program run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EcoBiz is the EPA’s signature partnership program with Queensland business and industry. The aim of ecoBiz is to assist Qld business’ achieve improved environmental performance (weblink ).
Tour Highlights:
Marvel at the magnificent coloured sands of rainbow beach and red canyon.
Drive along 40mile Beach and Rainbow Beach.
Drive to the historical Double Island Point Lighthouse
Take a swim in the tranquil waters of Wide Bay
Take a walk through a rare, high dune rainforest
Cross Noosa River on the vehicle cable ferry
Prices
Adult $95 Child $80 Family $340. Includes lunch and refreshments
Free pickups Noosa to Mudjimba
Other coastal pickups (Maroochydore to Caloundra) available for a small fuel surcharge
Departure Times
Change daily due to tidal conditions
Call us for departure times. 1 tour per day
Tour Duration (ex Noosa) – 5-6 hours
About Noosa
Noosa is the jewel in the crown of Australia’s Sunshine Coast, located in sub-tropical south east Queensland. Noosa is an aboriginal word, meaning ‘shady place’ and many of the local towns and countryside reflect aboriginal names and pioneering origins of gold rush days, cattle and timber industry.
Today, Noosa is regarded as Australia’s leading regional tourism destination, combining relaxed coastal living, pristine surfing beaches and a marvellous bio-diversity of hinterland experiences from open grazing country to lush rainforest. Noosa and the Sunshine Coast have a dynamic energy, which has made it the enclave of artists, celebrities, leading restaurateurs and people seeking serenity of life outside major cities.
About the Sunshine Coast:
Take a Sunshine Coast tour with Cooloola Safaris who are based in Noosa Queensland. The Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola Section) is the Sunshine Coast’s largest national park at almost 70,000 ha. The Sunshine Coast has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Our sunshine coast tour is a must for nature lovers who enjoy experiencing nature with a touch of soft adventure
Our Vehicles: Our luxury 4wd tour vehicles are Toyota landcruisers.
7 Day Luxury Walking Tours:
Our 7 day walking tours combine luxury boutique accommodation with the best of the Sunshine Coast’s natural wonders.
Our walking tours could best be described as: “Natural wonders with atouch of indulgence” (no camping, no carrying heavy backpacks)
The Noosa region boasts some of Australia’s best natural wonders – from the world heritage listed Fraser Island to the ancient volcanic formations, known as the Glasshouse Mountains, not to mention its famous beaches. This walking itinerary combines the best of these wilderness areas, plus luxurious boutique accommodation, great food, and plenty of warm Queensland hospitality. The itinerary is 7 days from airport pick up to drop off and includes 5 individual day hikes. Only a moderate level of fitness is needed to enjoy this fantastic itinerary (walking distances are between 8-12km per day)
Australian flora and fauna, including kangaroos, kookaburras, cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets, koalas, colourful parrots, eucalyptus and heritage rainforest are just some of the Australian icons you will often see on our walks. You will visit the amazing Rainbow Beach, which has up to seventy different colours of sand. It is a sight worth seeing. One of the highlights of this walk is a trip to Fraser Island, with is turquoise fresh water, and pristine environment.
This is a walk of unusual and magnificent scenery, comfortable accommodation, environmentally sensitive locations, great meals and warm interesting people.
The highlights of this itinerary include:
- Stunning sub-tropical walks along some of Australia’s most beautiful coastline,
- World heritage listed Fraser Island
- Scenic flight (optional), river cruise and a 4wd beach safari.
- Kangaroos, koalas, cockatoos, king parrots, dolphins, and manta rays are often seen.
The itinerary includes all meals (excluding lunch on Day 1), transport, accommodation, and local eco-accredited guide (excludes domestic travel to Sunshine Coast)
Small personalised groups (6-8 guests)
Price: $1,990 p.p (twin share)
2007 Departure Dates: June 3-9, July 22-28, Aug 5-11, Sept 9-15, Oct 21-27, Nov 4-10
Contact us for a full itinerary
