We traveled up to
rainbow beach a few months ago via the road and state
forrest with our camper trailer. We avoided towing on
the beach so we never went fron
Tewantin along
the beach.
We are going again in a few days and are contemplating going up via
tewantin and back via the road.
I found
http://www.fitzsimon.com.au/Fraser/HowToGetThereA.htm
How do we get there? Plan A
From the South via Noosa,
Double Island Point and
Rainbow Beach -
This is the best option, when the tides are right. Take in the view along Teewah Beach and visit the Cooloola Coloured Sands on your way to Fraser Island.
* The key question to be answered before taking this route is "Can I safely get around the Mudlo Rocks just south of
Rainbow Beach township at low tide?" (The Mudlo Rocks are marked on some maps as "Eight Mile Rocks".)
* One factor affecting your decision will be the amount of sand on
the beach. While there can be plenty of sand for months, a cyclone or just a couple of days of heavy seas can quickly remove sand and render the Mudlo rocks impassable. For the latest beach conditions, check with the
Ranger at the
Rainbow Beach office of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on (07) 5486 3160 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (07) 5486 3160 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
* For safety, plan to be at
Rainbow Beach as close to low tide as possible and certainly no later than two hours after low tide. The tides at
Rainbow Beach are very close to those at Noosa Heads. Look up Noosa Heads tides at the Bureau of Meteorology Oceanography web site. While you are there, also look up
Waddy Point tides. These will be useful for driving on Fraser Island's eastern beach during your stay.
* Driving Instructions:
o - From
Brisbane, drive north along the Bruce Highway (1) as far as the Noosa turnoff at Cooroy (about 160km). The exit off the highway is a left turn at the top of a double-lane uphill section.
o - (Unless you haven't seen Noosa Heads before, ignore the multiple signs directing you off the highway towards Noosa between Forest Glen and Eumundi.)
o - From Cooroy, drive east on the Cooroy-Noosa Road about 12km to
Tewantin.
o - At
Tewantin, turn left at the
Shell service station onto Moorindil Road. There is now a roundabout at this turn. Continue about 2km to the
Noosa River Ferry.
o -
Noosa River Ferry price: $5.00 one way.
o - After crossing the river, follow the main track to
the beach (about 4km). Note the under-body car wash on your left; you might need it on the way home.
o - Before driving onto the soft sand, stop and reduce the pressure in your tyres.
o - Once on
the beach, turn left and head north for about 60km towards
Double Island Point.
o - Check out the Cooloola coloured sands and the wreck of the
Cherry Venture.
o - 200m north of the
Cherry Venture is the turn-off to
the beach north of
Double Island Point. At this point, if the sand is very hot, dry and soft, it may be necessary to switch to low range in order to leave
the beach.
o - This track is known as the "Leisha Track". (NOTE: For the past few months, this track has been impassable due to severe erosion where it joins the northern beach near
Double Island Point. See Plan B on the next page. - Mike, May 2007)
o - Once on the northern beach, turn left and head towards
Rainbow Beach township. Just before the township are the rocks which should be no problem if you have done your homework and the tide and sand level are as expected. If not, see Plan B on the next page.
o - At
Rainbow Beach township, you must leave
the beach and drive for a few kilometres on bitumen. Depending on your vehicle, remember to leave 4-wheel drive and drive carefully because you will have low pressure in your tyres.
Which lists a fairly detailed "how to" on the route. Would anyone like to add to the list and in Particular working out High and Low tide times and what is the best time in relation to the tide time to go this way?
Any other pointers would be great!
:)