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Great Sandy National Park

Great Sandy National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

Noosa: Everglades Explorer Cruise with Optional Canoeing

1. Noosa: Everglades Explorer Cruise with Optional Canoeing

Cruise or canoe the tranquil waterways of Australia's only Everglades on this tour with shuttle transfers from Noosa. Enjoy spectacular photo opportunities as you immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this unique ecosystem where 44% of Australia’s bird species reside.  Be picked up at select meeting points in Noosa and relax on the transfer aboard a climate-controlled bus. Soak up the atmosphere of the Everglades over a hot cup of morning tea.  Take in the Noosa River system from aboard an eco-boat or transfer to the canoe launch site and hop aboard a canoe and paddle your way through the pristine wilderness.  Uncover how pure freshwater pulses out of the Cooloola Sandmass and filters through the tea tree-infused ecosystem into this unique river system, creating the most spectacular reflections.  After your Everglades experience have the chance to buy lunch at the onsite bar and bistro where you can order craft beer from the micro-brewery. Return to your meeting point in Noosa at the end of your tour.

From Rainbow Beach: Fraser Island Tour with Lunch

2. From Rainbow Beach: Fraser Island Tour with Lunch

Start your day from the convenient meeting point in Rainbow Beach and travel through the Toolara Forest and Great Sandy National Park as you travel toward Fraser Island. Board the ferry from Inskip Point over to the island, looking out for marine life along the way. Then drive along the beach highway to a freshwater creek where you'll enjoy morning tea with a view. Following that, it will be time to make your way through the inland tracks to experience a 4WD adventure. Journey through the forest to Lake McKenzie, a highlight for many due to the beautiful white sandy beach and perfectly blue waters.  You can cool off with a swim, enjoy fantastic photo opportunities, or relax on the beach before tucking into an authentic and healthy Aussie picnic-style lunch. Following lunch, you'll walk through the ancient rainforest of Central Station and Pile Valley, which is home to many unique and exciting species. Wander alongside the crystal clear Wanggoolba Creek as you take in the sights and smells of the tallest rainforest growing out of the sand.  It will then be time to start making your way back toward Rainbow Beach. 

Rainbow Beach: Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD Tour

3. Rainbow Beach: Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD Tour

Begin your 3-hour adventure with a 4WD beach drive in the Great Sandy National Park. Head to the spectacular Double Island Point to enjoy scenic views of Fraser Island and the colored sands of Rainbow Beach. Afterward, head out on a relaxed kayaking tour around the headland as you admire the beauty of the natural surroundings and take in the Double Island Point Lighthouse from a unique perspective. Keep an eye out for the curious bottlenose dolphin pods who are often seen in this area, feeding on large schools of fish. Also, see local and migrating wildlife, including humpback whales (June-November), turtles, manta rays, stingrays, soldier crabs in their thousands, and migrating sea birds.

Dolphin View Kayak and Great Beach Drive Tour from Noosa

4. Dolphin View Kayak and Great Beach Drive Tour from Noosa

Begin your 6-hour program with a Great Beach Drive in Great Sandy National Park. Head to Double Island Point for views of Fraser Island and the colored sands of Rainbow Beach. Head out on a kayaking tour around the headland and admire the beauty of your surroundings and the Double Island Point Lighthouse from a unique perspective. Bottlenose dolphin pods are often seen in the area, feeding on large schools of fish. They’re usually as curious about you as you are about them, so be prepared for an experience of a lifetime! In addition, see local and migrating wildlife, including humpback whales (June-November), turtles, manta rays, stingrays, and migrating sea birds.

From Hervey Bay: K'gari, Fraser Island Two-Day Coach Tour

5. From Hervey Bay: K'gari, Fraser Island Two-Day Coach Tour

Start your tour with pickup in Hervey Bay, the gateway to K'gari (Fraser Island). Then relax on the 40-minute cruise across the Great Sandy Marine Park to the island. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and turtles. Explore some of the most beautiful spots as you listen to fascinating facts about the island’s history. Over the two days, you’ll travel in between sites in the air-conditioned comfort of a 4WD coach. Visit Central Station to admire the towering trees, and learn why K'gari was so valuable to the timber industry. Stroll along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk and explore the subtropical rainforest in Pile Valley. Relax on the sandy beaches around Lake McKenzie. As an optional extra, you can take a scenic flight over the island from here. Float down Eli Creek, and see the famous Maheno shipwreck. Be amazed by The Pinnacles colored sands and hear the Dreamtime tale of how they were formed. See the spectacular Indian Head while cruising up 75 Mile Beach. Visit the Champagne Pools and slip into this amazing natural jacuzzi, formed by the crashing waves. Trek across the Hammerstone Sandblow and take a dip in Lake Wabby.   Stay overnight at the K'gari Beach Resort and on the end of the second day, board the 5:00 PM ferry back to River Heads. The shuttle service will take you back to your accommodation from there.

Hervey Bay: Sandy Strait Scenic and Wildlife Cruise

6. Hervey Bay: Sandy Strait Scenic and Wildlife Cruise

Cruise the pristine waters of the Great Sandy Straits, including destinations such as Woody Island, North White Cliffs, Ungowa and Garry's Anchorage. Departing from the Boat Club relax and wildlife spot as we cruise through the Great Sandy Straits to the famous Gary’s Anchorage, located approximately halfway to Tin Can Bay. Enjoy a light lunch on-board as we cruise through the anchorage. Experience the beauty of the Great Sandy Marine Park & Fraser Island, this pristine area of Mangroves, Sand Cliffs and sand flats wilderness is abound with sea and birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous Fraser Island dingos. Learn about some of the history of early settlers and logging of this historical region. The Great Sandy Strait, from Dayman Point - Sandy Point (near Hervey Bay) to Tin Can Bay in the south, is a Ramsar wetland of international importance. It has been declared a shorebird designated area within the marine park to protect migratory shorebirds. Seabirds and shorebirds are a vibrant feature of this World Heritage area. They occupy a range of habitats, including the mouths of creeks and estuaries, rocky ocean foreshores, sand spits, and sandy beaches.

Noosa: Private Double Island Point Beach Adventure

7. Noosa: Private Double Island Point Beach Adventure

Depart Noosa in your private specialized 4X4 vehicle and experience the thrill of the Great Beach Drive. Drive along Teewah Beach that stretches over 50km to Double Island Point. Take in the stunning wind-swept cliffs towering over the beach and many different types of local flora and fauna. Discover the unique private Marine Park aquatic adventure that is only accessible at low tide. Here a variety of thrilling water activities are on offer, including surf lessons on Australia’s longest wave, kayaking tours, stand up paddle lessons and wildlife eco tours. Enjoy the turquoise waters of Honeymoon Bay with the activity of your choice. See local Bottlenose dolphins feeding and playing up close in the Marine Park. Enjoy a tasty picnic lunch at a scenic location in the national park. After lunch, enjoy the return trip along the Great Beach Drive back to your Noosa accommodation.

Noosa to Rainbow Beach: 4-Wheel Drive Tour in Great Sandy NP

8. Noosa to Rainbow Beach: 4-Wheel Drive Tour in Great Sandy NP

Benefit from pickup at your accommodation, if located between Mooloolaba and Noosa, and then set off on a 6-hour off-road adventure to get stunning views of the golden the sands. Drive across a pristine stretch of white sand with stunning headland views all the way from Noosa to Double Island Point. Stop to admire the scenery of Great Sandy National Park, and take in the impressive views from the Double Island Point Lighthouse. Keep a look out for turtles, sharks, manta rays, and pods of dolphins in their natural environment, along with majestic humpback whales between June and October. Get exclusive access to the lighthouse to discover parts of the popular spot you might otherwise miss. Take photos of the dramatic Red Canyon and Coloured Sands, and watch a demonstration of the traditional techniques of the Aborigines. Go to a scenic picnic spot in Great Sandy National Park, where friendly Lace Monitor Lizards may join you for a selfie. Cool off with a dip in the ocean before the return trip to your accommodation.

Other Sightseeing Options in Great Sandy National Park

Want to discover all there is to do in Great Sandy National Park? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Great Sandy National Park

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 121 reviews

The tour was great!! I was so excited for this trip and the tour made it even more enjoyable that I imagined. After staying in hostels and living off instant noodles for weeks, it was a luxury to stay at this resort and eat so much delicious food! The transport was comfy and air conditioned. We saw the best places and had an excellent tour guide! Dave was friendly and extremely knowledgeable, he really made our trip special! It was both relaxing and busy at the same time, despite being in a large group I didn’t feel rushed or short for time at all. Thank you so much for a wonderful time :)

What an adventure….the experience was amazing. The information on the area was very interesting. I’ve seen an area many locals haven’t experienced I’m so impressed. Great value for money. Highly recommend.

Had an awesome time, the guide was really knowledgeable on the area and the beach, and made the experience a lot of fun.

Beautiful scenery , clean beach and lakes! Great and warm tour guide ..

Excellent guide. We had a great day and spotted 5 dolphins