Somewhere over the Rainbow Beach Road, on the drive to the northern reaches of the Sunshine Coast, a magical view of the Coral Sea opens up in the gap between the forested hillsides.
After what may seem to young and old as a never-ending “are we there yet?” journey up the Bruce Highway and Tin Can Bay Road through Toolara State Forest to the final turn-off, suddenly everyone in the vehicle feels like they can reach through the windscreen and touch the azure blue waters.
In reality, the drive from the southern seaside suburbs of the Coast to Rainbow Beach takes just over two hours, but that can seem like a lifetime on a road trip for anyone with young children.
But the promise of beachside bliss was always a thrill for our two sons growing up when we made our annual pilgrimage to the Rainbow Beach Nippers Carnival – the first of the junior lifesaving season in September for the then Under 8s-14s.
Families from 15 Sunshine Coast Branch surf lifesaving clubs would double the population by grabbing every campsite, cabin, holiday home and motel room available and take advantage of the mini-break.
And for two or three days and nights, this “invasion” would create a camaraderie of shared interest in the lifesaving movement and friendly competition on the streets, in the only pub, local surf club and neighbourhood sports hub.
The few boutiques and takeaway shops, petrol stations and grocery store back then in the main street did a roaring trade that helped sustain the businesses throughout the rest of the year (when international backpackers and Gympie locals were their lifeblood).
The much-anticipated “long weekend” always had one essential inclusion after the day-long competition was done and dusted: the Carlo Sandblow.
We’d walk from our accommodation or from the Sandblow car park, along the boardwalk through the eucalypts and cool rainforest on to the massive sandmass that suddenly just appeared.
The 15ha sandblow, part of the huge accumulation of windblown sand known as the Cooloola sandmass, is slowly creeping westward, burying everything in its wake with sand. Where we once stood over 10 years ago in the forest has now been completely engulfed.
The young and fit carry bodyboards and flat cardboard for hours of sand tobogganing fun. Others simply marvel at Mother Nature’s “moonscape” or venture closer towards the clifftop for majestic 180-degree views over Rainbow Beach, the coastline to the Coloured Sands, Double Island Point, and Inskip Peninsula, as well as Fraser Island.
In more than a decade since those memorable trips, hubbie and I had only had a passing glimpse of “Rainbow” on four-wheel-drive tours.
It has been a long time between drinks.
But we were pleasantly surprised recently to reacquaint ourselves with a very hip seaside hamlet of about 1250 residents that has had a colourful streetscape makeover of parks and gardens – complete with rainbow benches and steps that make for great Selfies – as well as more parking.
Hospitality favourite the Rainbow Beach Hotel is unrecognisable from memory. It’s exterior now is more reminiscent of the Queenslander-style, traditional country pub with wide timber verandas, double hung windows, plantation fans and french doors.
And the new deck has been completed at the surf club, allowing for 130 more patrons, with views to Double Island Point.
Improved vantage points and lookouts have been installed to take in all the natural wonders of the coastline.
And while holiday homes abound, the friendly village atmosphere remains. You can always rub shoulders with the locals at the Rainbow Beach Community Centre and Hall markets and most Friday nights at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club while listening to live music.
The addition of The Deck @ Sea Salt at 2 Rainbow Beach Road offered stunning coastal views with our hearty Sunday breakfast, washed down with great coffee.
A stroll up the beach north and south from the main shopping strip reminded us of what we’d been missing all the years since we waved goodbye to nippers.
Once again, we were in awe of the Coloured Sands that form a unique natural art gallery.
Weathering and erosion have created 72 different coloured sands within the enormous sandy cliffs rising as high as 200m by the shore.
The coloured layers have developed as a result of iron oxide and vegetable dyes leaching into the sand, probably since the last Ice Age.
The Coloured Sands are on the Great Beach Drive that connects the Sunshine Coast and the Gympie region with Fraser Island (K’gari) in part via the “great sand highway”.
As well as the opportunity to spot whales, dolphins, turtles and rare birds such as brahminy and whistling kites, the full tourist drive takes in two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, a World Heritage Area, national parks and the largest sand island in the world.
This unique part of the world is on the doorstep for Sunshine Coasters needing a relaxed getaway for the family or romantic couple’s retreat.
It’s a secluded little pocket of sunshine and happiness that, in the words of Kermit the Frog, is worth making a rainbow connection with.
STAY
BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park – Rainbow Beach
It’s the holiday town favoured by the Hemsworths, and now Rainbow Beach can add another feather to its cap with the addition of 27 new beachside cabins at the BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park (pictured above). Ranging from three-bedroom cabins to spa villas and studios, the extensive addition has been complemented by an upgraded picnic and barbecue area and renovation of 12 existing cabins. With the Great Sandy Strait and Rainbow Beach on your doorstep, it’s truly an A-list experience. See the website.
Rainbow Ocean Palms Resort
The elevated position atop a hill gives Rainbow Ocean Palms Resort’s luxury apartments and penthouses added serenity and splendour. Every balcony has stunning panoramas of the forest, beach and Coral Sea towards Fraser Island. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and one- and three-bedroom penthouses each have a spa bath and are stylishly furnished and decorated for comfort and relaxation. Learn more on the website.
Freedom Hostels Rainbow Beach
Freedom Hostels Rainbow Beach is far from any typical backpacker accommodation and more akin to resort amenities. After a day of action, visitors can take advantage of two pools, enjoying drinks from the pool bar, catching up on social media at any of the chill-out zones or simply flopping on a comfortable bed. The array of accommodation includes two-bedroom self-contained apartments, family, private double/twin and dorm rooms, with linen and towels provided – attracting visitors from independent solo travellers to groups, couples and families. Visit the website.
PLAY
Visit Sunshine Coast can help you discover new things to do in Rainbow Beach.
- Drive the sand highway with operator Epic Ocean Adventures – your chauffeur on the Great Beach Drive – and hear stories of the area’s Indigenous and pioneering history: visit the website.
Put your four-wheel-driving skills to the test. Picture: Shirley Sinclair - Kayak with dolphins.
- Surf Australia’s longest wave.
- Go horseriding on the beach.
- bodysurf the patrolled surf beach.
- explore Wolf Rock – considered Australia’s best shark and ray dive.
- Put your own four-wheel-drive skills to the test.
