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Falling asleep under a night sky sparkling with an endless amount of stars... waking up to the calming sound of breaking waves and fresh scent of salt hanging in the dense air. This could be you for only $4 a night.
Too good to be true? How about camping? That's right, how long has it been since you roughed it up and enjoyed the vast outdoors?
Cooloola National Park is situated between the coastal towns of Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach and is two to three hours' drive north of Brisbane.
Teewah beach lines the Eastern side of the park and has a 15 km camping zone. The area is only accessible by 4WD vehicles. The beautiful natural surroundings provide tranquil and relaxing campsites. You can take the traditional option and hitch up a tent or go luxurious with a caravan. Either way, camping along Teewah Beach means no facilities. It's makeshift toilets and showers all around.
Walking out of your tent and feeling the sand between your toes is unbeatable. It's recommended to set your campsite up in a pre-existing campsite to avoid harm to the environment.
The many activities and peaceful atmosphere of Cooloola National Park make it the ideal holiday location for the whole family.
At the Northern end of the Cooloola National Park is Double Island Point (Figure 1). This is not actually an island but was named "Double Island Point" on Friday 18th May 1770 by Capitan James Cook. He wrote in his log: "I have named it Double Island Point, on account of its figure. The land within this point is of a moderate and pretty equal height, but the point itself is of such an unequal height that it looks like two same islands laying under the land."
The surf at Double Island Point is a right hand point break with a length of 50 to 150 metres and on a good day can be 300 to 500 metres.
The Double Island Point Lighthouse was completed in1884 and is 12 metres high. During the Whale Watching Season, July to November, whales can be seen in good numbers from the point.
Another tourist attraction is the shipwreck of the Cherry Venture. In July 1973 a cargo ship named the Cherry Venture was swept onto Teewah Beach during cyclone condition. People tried to free the beached ship but after four years of frustration its owners abandoned it to its current role of posing for curious on-lookers. The glory the ship once had is lost and its rusty frame is almost completely transformed into ruins.
Bernie Evan was camping on along Teewah beach in 1973. He remembers the desperate measures taken in attempt to refloat the Cherry Venture. "Bulldozers were on the beach trying to dig a canal and refloat the boat on the year's highest tide, but nothing worked" he said.
Some excellent fishing can be had either from the beach or rocks. Some of the fish species that are commonly caught include dart and whiting.
Another great thing to see is the coloured sands. This outstanding natural attraction of multi-coloured cliffs provides the perfect backdrop to 12 km of coastline which stretches between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point. Dozens of sand colours can be seen on this stretch of beach, with some of the striking sand cliffs towering to a height of 200 metres.
The four wheel driving bush tracks provide an activity the whole family will enjoy. The tracks range from beginners to experienced. These tracks hold many surprises including freshwater lakes, creeks, picnic areas, bushwalks and lookouts. Peter Pearce, an experienced four wheel driver said the conditions have greatly improved, "I started coming here in the 70's and a lot more cars used to get bogged then, it's almost possible for a two wheel drive car to get through."
For northern Cooloola, beach access is possible from Rainbow Beach or Tewantin. Take the vehicle ferry across the Noosa River at Moorindl Street, Tewantin and four-wheel-drive along the beach
The cost of camping is $4 per person per night or $16 per family per night.
Camping permits are required prior to camping. They can be obtained by booking online at www.qld.gov.au/camping, by phoning 13 13 04 (24 hours/ seven days a week) or from these permit-issuing centres:
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Information Centre:
Rainbow Beach Road (PO Box 30), RAINBOW BEACH QLD 4581
Phone: (07) 5486 3160 (7am-7pm daily)
Great Sandy Information Centre:
240 Moorindl Street, PO Box 818 TEWANTIN QLD 4565
Phone: (07) 5449 7792
Email: greatsandy.info@epa.qld.gov.au (7am–4pm daily)
For further information visit: www.epa.qld.gov.au/cooloola |
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