Cooloola is a section of Great Sandy National Park in Queensland, Australia, that offers camping in an uninhabited wilderness area that includes woodlands, forests, heaths, wetlands, wildflower areas, several trails and long beaches on freshwater lakes near high sand dunes and cliffs of colored sand. A home to endangered plants and animals, Cooloola campgrounds are available to campers dedicated to making little impact on the natural habitat.
Features
Most Cooloola National Park campsites and all vehicle access permits can be booked online, by phone or at a booking office. Maximum length of stay is 30 days. Severe weather in Queensland that includes heavy rain, flooding, high seas and strong winds can cause sections of the park to close, so check conditions before you arrive. Wheelchair-accessible areas include sites at Harry's and Freshwater campgrounds.
Activities
Cooloola provides several walking trails to view wildlife, plants and scenery that includes woodlands, wetlands, coastline and sand dunes. The park has one of the few remaining emu populations in coastal Queensland and is a refuge for rare animals, including the Cooloola acid frog and ground parrot. Boat tours and whale watching are available. Rent canoes, kayaks and small powerboats from Boreen Point and from Elanda Point for travel on the Noosa River. Fishing is allowed at Teewah Beach, the Noosa River and Kin Kin Creek, with lures recommended over live bait. Bass season is closed from June 1 to August 31.
Regulations
Vehicle access permits are required to access beaches and some tracks in the Cooloola Recreation Area. Pets are not permitted in national parks. Motorized vessels are permitted only to campsite 3. Electric motors and non-motorised vessels are permitted past campsite 3. Campfires are allowed only in the camping areas on Teewah Beach and at Poverty Point. Collecting wood from the park, including leaves and twigs, is illegal. Don't park on or dig in sand dunes and sand cliffs along Teewah and Rainbow Beach as they are unstable and can collapse.
Northern Cooloola Camping
Northern Cooloola campgrounds have three campgrounds with sites for camper trailer and tent camping that are accessible by 4-wheel-drive or on foot. Freshwater Campground has woodland sites on sandy soil near the beach. No campfires are allowed in this area, so bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking. Fires are allowed on Teewah Beach, which offers beach camping behind the dunes, and Poverty Point, an undeveloped coastal camping area in the Great Sandy Straits. Campers can use the patrolled swimming beach in front of Rainbow Beach Township.
Southern Cooloola Camping
Southern Cooloola campsites lie in open forest and woodland areas along the Upper Noosa River and include two camping areas, Fig Tree Point and Harry's Hut, and nine bush campsites. Two remote campsites at Wandi and Neebs waterholes lie in the western river catchment area. Most sites are in sand, grass or dirt. Access the Upper Noosa River by canoes, kayaks, water taxis and river cruises. Queensland government officials do not recommend swimming in the river, which contains sharks, submerged logs and boat traffic.
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