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 Noosa: Dolphin Sea Kayaking and Beach 4X4 Tour

2. From Noosa: Dolphin Sea Kayaking and Beach 4X4 Tour

Discover Rainbow Beach, Great Sandy National Park, Double Island Point, Honeymoon Bay, and Fraser Island on a guided kayaking and 4x4 trip from Noosa. See Australian wildlife in their natural habitat and reach Great Sandy National Park via a path only accessible by 4WD vehicles. Begin your tour with a Great Beach drive in Noosa's Great Sandy National Park. Head to Double Island Point for views of the towering colored sands of Rainbow Beach and K'Gari. Next, head out on a sea kayak around the headland of Double Island Point and Honeymoon Bay. 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 often as curious about you as you are about them. Spot other local and migrating wildlife, including humpback whales (June-November), turtles, manta rays, stingrays, and a variety of sea birds.

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.

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

4. 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.

Learn to Surf Australia's Longest Wave & Beach Drive Tour

5. Learn to Surf Australia's Longest Wave & Beach Drive Tour

Learning to surf at Sunshine Coast’s hidden gem is a truly unique surfing adventure. Only accessible by 4WD vehicles through the Great Sandy National Park is the spectacular Double Island Point. This location features a long sandy point break with waves that seem to go forever and one of the easiest most satisfying locations you will ever learn to surf on. You could be riding waves for 100’s of meters on your first surf lesson. Surfing in a pristine National Park environment is great for the soul and gives you a sense of freedom and a back to nature experience with the wild. Learn to surf in waist deep water with friendly instructors that are highly experienced and fully qualified to get you surfing and having fun in a safe, uncrowded environment. Guaranteed that you will stand up on your first surf lesson! Intermediate and advanced surf instruction also available.

Rainbow Beach: 4WD Beach Drive Adventure and Surf Lesson

6. Rainbow Beach: 4WD Beach Drive Adventure and Surf Lesson

Depart Rainbow Beach to discover a hidden paradise only accessible by taking a 4WD vehicle through the Great Sandy National Park. Arriving at the spectacular Double Island Point, you will find a perfect surfing location, with long waves that seem to go on forever. You could be riding waves for 100’s of meters on your first surfing lesson. Learn to surf in waist-deep water with friendly instructors that are highly experienced and fully qualified to get you surfing and having fun in a safe, uncrowded environment. Don’t worry if you have never surfed before, you will be taught the basics and will develop through the lesson. If you're not a complete beginner and looking to progress further with your surfing, we have fully accredited surf instructors with all the technical guidance you need. From learning how to ride the nose on a longboard to more advanced shortboard training.

Noosa: Stand Up Paddle Lesson Double Island Adventure

7. Noosa: Stand Up Paddle Lesson Double Island Adventure

Experience the stunning beaches and clearest waters of Double Island on Stand Up Paddle (SUP). Explore this stunning location with super easy skills taught on a basic flat water lesson or try SUP surfing on super long gentle waves. Take it slow and cruise along the pristine shoreline experiencing the local wildlife from a very unique view or treat it as a fun solid workout great for core training! Instructors will teach you basic SUP techniques and guide you through the tour. Our exciting stand up paddle lesson uses Double Island lagoons protected from the wind and waves of the open water. Paddle in a buzzing ecosystem that not only is home to a large number of turtles that feed and rest here but also many other marine life including Bottlenose dolphins, rays, sea birds, fish and crabs.

Hervey Bay: Sandy Strait Scenic and Wildlife Cruise

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

9. 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.

Noosa: Private Double Island Point Beach Adventure

10. 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.

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Great Sandy National Park

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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