Teewah Beach
If driving along a golden sand highway and wild camping against a backdrop of dunes, rainforest, and ocean sounds like your kind of adventure, then Teewah Beach checks all the boxes. Stretching for more than 25 miles (40 kilometers along the coast, it’s the highlight of the Great Beach Drive and part of the Great Sandy National Park.
The basics
Explore the beach’s dramatic dunes, multi-colored sands, and wildflower-covered headlands on a 4WD tour; hike up to the Double Island Point Lighthouse at the northernmost point; or stop along the way to enjoy bushwalking, canoeing, or horseback riding in the surrounding Cooloola Recreation Area. For adventurous travelers the biggest draw is the chance to camp on the beach—more than 9 miles (15 kilometers) of the beach are designated for wild camping, meaning you can park up your campervan or pitch your tent right on the beach.
Things to know before you go
- Teewah Beach is a great destination for wildlife lovers—look out for turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and whales along the coast.
- Camping and vehicle access permits are required to visit Teewah Beach.
- There are limited facilities along the beach, although showers and restrooms are available at the various campsites. Cell phone coverage is scarce.
- Due to riptides and bluebottle jellyfish, it’s not recommended to swim at Teewah Beach; patrolled beaches are available at Noosa and Rainbow Beach.
- There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities at the beach.
How to get there
There are numerous access points for Teewah Beach, all of which require a 4WD. From Rainbow Beach, access to the main Teewah Beach camping area is via Freshwater Road. It’s a 12-mile (20-kilometer) drive, which takes about 40 minutes. Alternatively, access the Cooloola Beach Drive from either Rainbow Beach in the north or Noosa North Shore in the south, and drive along the beach.
Trip ideas
When to get there
It’s possible to camp and drive along the beach year round but fire bans and camping restrictions sometimes occur during summer (December to February), so check before heading out. Summer is by far the busiest season, while between June and November visitors can spot migrating humpback whales along the coast and make the most of the cooler weather, ideal for hiking.
Cooloola Recreation Area
Teewah Beach is part of the Cooloola Recreation Area, where the natural landscapes range from towering sand dunes and rocky sea cliffs to vast woodlands dotted with creeks and waterways. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy various day and multi-day hikes, including the epic 64-mile (102-kilometer) Cooloola Great Walk; admire the colored sands and dunes of the Carlo Sand Blow; or go canoeing or kayaking along the Upper Noosa River.
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