The Final Nice Seashore Drive Sunshine Coast Highway Journey Itinerary

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The very first thing you discover on the Nice Seashore Drive is the sound: tyres whispering over hard-packed sand, waves crashing on the East and birds singing up forward. The truth that you’re driving on a seashore in a four-by-four automobile is a marvel you barely discover when you hit the gasoline pedal.

This can be a scenic seashore drive on the Sunshine Coast that lets you expertise nature stripped again to the naked bones – flanked by the wild shoreline, towering sand dunes, and pink rock faces of the Nice Sandy Biosphere, that is 50km of pure unspoiled wilderness.

Stretching from Noosa to Rainbow Seashore, the Nice Seashore Drive is not only a street journey, however an journey. Alongside the way in which you cross rainbow-coloured cliffs, shipwrecks half-swallowed by surf, and humpbacks breaching offshore.

Should you’re seeking to embark on the Nice Seashore Drive on the Sunshine Coast however undecided easy methods to do it, what to see alongside the way in which, or the place to start along with your planning, the next Nice Seashore Drive itinerary will inform you every little thing you must know.

Checking tide instances earlier than you go, and make sure you pack your sense of journey.

In regards to the Nice Seashore Drive, Sunshine Coast

Australia’s Sunshine Coast Nice Seashore Drive is a scenic drive on the seashore from Noosa’s North Shore to Rainbow Seashore. It stretches for 50 kilometres and is also referred to as the Cooloola Coast, a distant strip of seashore backed by the Nice Sandy Biosphere Reserves, one among three UNESCO biospheres on the Sunshine Coast.

The Nice Seashore Drive is called one among Australia’s finest shortcuts as a result of as a substitute of taking the M1 (Bruce Freeway) from the Sunshine Coast to Rainbow Seashore through Gympie, you are taking the prettier and faster Seashore Freeway. Why take the busy and boring M1 when you’ll be able to take Australia’s nature coast expressway?! That is my form of commute.

On one aspect you’ve miles of glowing Pacific Ocean and on the opposite the Nice Sandy Nationwide Park. 

Teewah Seashore is the entry level to the UNESCO Nice Sandy Biosphere, which takes in rainforest, marine parks and historic sand dunes, and is dwelling to numerous uncommon and endangered animals, in addition to over half of Australia’s chicken species.

From Rainbow Seashore, you’ll be able to flip inland and head again to go to different components of the Sunshine Coast, similar to Tin Can Bay or Gympie, or prolong your journey over to Ok’Gari (Fraser Island) or Hervey Bay.

Earlier than commencing your seashore drive make sure you buy a every day automobile entry allow for Cooloola Recreation Space. It’s a small price and might be bought on-line right here. Or, you’ll be able to head to The Nice Sandy Data Centre positioned at 240 Moorindil Avenue, Tewantin.

Learn how to begin The Nice Seashore Drive

We picked up our 4×4 at Fleet Crew in Brisbane and drove from there. In case you are leaving from Brisbane or The Gold Coast, it’s a 3.5-hour drive to the gateway to the Nice Seashore Drive at Teewah. When you cross Noosa North Shore, your journey begins at Tewantin, down the street from Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast.

To get to the seashore, you will need to take a ferry. The Noosa North Shore Automobile Ferry dropped us throughout the river heads to Noosa’s North Shore. The ferry operates seven days every week and costs fluctuate relying on the dimensions of your automobile. You possibly can ebook the ferry on-line from right here.

When you drive off the ferry, comply with the street all the way in which to the shoreline and take the third sand exit onto the seashore. You’ve simply entered paradise. No visitors lights on this street, and if you happen to keep away from the height Christmas and Easter holidays, little visitors.

This lengthy stretch of seashore is also referred to as Teewah Seashore and despite the fact that you’re driving on sand, regular street guidelines apply, together with a pace restrict of 60 km/hr.

One other essential factor to notice is when high and low tide is, as you solely need to be driving alongside this stretch for 2 hours on both aspect of LOW tide!

On the way in which up the seashore take the chance to cease (safely) and take some ocean pictures and images of the bordering the Nationwide Park.

Whereas we extremely suggest you do the Nice Seashore Drive your self, we all know that’s not at all times a chance. This 6-hour 4WD tour from Noosa can handle all these difficult journey logistics for you. Simply present up and benefit from the magnificent views. And if you happen to don’t like teams, you’ll be able to go for this small, non-public tour that permits for personalization to your itinerary.

The Nice Seashore Drive Itinerary

In fact, driving on the Nice Seashore Drive is an expertise in itself. Should you’ve by no means pushed on a seashore earlier than there’s one thing concerning the soothing sound of the waves shut by and the contemporary air in your face.

However it’s not all concerning the drive. There are many stops alongside the way in which that it’s best to take to interrupt up the journey.

The next itinerary might be accomplished in a day, however you may need to return to Rainbow Seashore to discover extra the following day, relying on how a lot time you’ve out there and the way lengthy you need to spend at every place. You possibly can view the stops on this itinerary within the above interactive map that will help you plan your route.

Teewah Seashore Entry Level

The journey begins on the southern finish of Teewah Seashore, on a sandy headland subsequent to the place the Noosa River meets the ocean and overlooking Noosa Heads Fundamental Seashore.

Slipping off the bitumen and onto the sand, this entry level reveals a direct sense of departure – away from the suburbs, the buildings, and every little thing you understand about regular street driving.

Make sure to drop your tyre pressures, and don’t be afraid of the gasoline pedal. Quickly, the wild coastal panorama framed by the ochre cliffs opens earlier than you and also you’ll be free to discover at your individual tempo.

The sand of Teewah Seashore is mostly hard-packed and forgiving at low tide, however do test tide instances earlier than you drive as circumstances can change rapidly.

Purple Canyon

The Purple Canyon is without doubt one of the most spectacular spots on The Nice Seashore Drive. The canyon is made up of vibrant pink and yellow rock formations, which have been as soon as used as a gathering place by the indigenous Gubbi Gubbi folks. It’s stated it was a secret assembly place for ladies of the tribe.

You possibly can hike as much as the highest of the canyon and get unbelievable views of the Teawah Seashore under and in addition get a detailed up view of the completely different colors.

Double Island Level

On the finish of Teewah Seashore is Double Island Level, and we timed our cease completely to coincide with a lunch break. We parked our automotive on the backside and did the two-kilometre stroll up the headland to the Double Island Level Lighthouse, which provided spectacular ocean and seashore views over Teewah Seashore and all the way in which to the Fraser Coast.

It was a terrific alternative to get out of the automotive and stretch our legs. We took a light-weight lunch and let the children run off some vitality across the base of the lighthouse.

Should you don’t do lunch right here, at the very least take a bottle of water on the stroll, particularly in the summertime months! And maintain your eyes peeled for a pod of dolphins browsing the waves.

You can too take the brief Leisha Monitor, an inland observe from Double Island Level to the Teewah coast. This observe takes you into the sand dunes for a little bit of dune bashing enjoyable! And naturally, look out for these migrating whales in season (July – November)!

Carlo Sand Blow

Carlo Sand Blow is an enormous, shifting dune that rises above the shoreline close to Rainbow Seashore. It’s recognisable by its enormity – this huge sand mass seems prefer it’s spilling over a mountain into the ocean, and you’ll typically see paragliders launching off from it.

Accessed by a brief stroll from the seashore, Carlo Sand Blow is finest visited late afternoon as that is when you’ll be able to see your shadow lengthen and the sand feels cool below your ft.

The panorama is stark and uncovered, with little vegetation, and if you happen to keep for sundown, the dune transforms right into a canvas of golds and smooth pinks.

Rainbow Seashore

Again in our automotive, we drove alongside the brief entry street and entered Rainbow Seashore, and have been like wow! One other complete world of paradise opened up earlier than our eyes.

We headed in the direction of the city of Rainbow Seashore passing the well-known multi-coloured sands with completely different shades of yellow, oranges and reds, in addition to cliffs with the identical colors alongside the way in which. It was probably essentially the most spectacular stretch of the entire seashore drive.

Time your drive with the tide is tremendous essential right here because the water comes proper in in opposition to the cliffs. It was getting on within the day and the tide was coming in, so we needed to time our moments with the water retreating after the waves had are available.

We made it across the bend to city and grabbed a espresso while the children performed on the playground overlooking the seashore under.

Rainbow Seashore is a tiny city with a vacation vibe on the base of the Inskip Peninsula. If you wish to, you’ll be able to even proceed your Nice Seashore Drive with quick access to Fraser Island, solely one other 10 minutes away by barge.

Our drive ended right here, but it surely was not the tip of our adventures. We switched from the motorised model of 4×4 for a four-legged animal, after which went again to tackle Rainbow Seashore on horseback.

Horse driving on Rainbow Seashore

Rainbow Seashore is particular in additional methods than one, being one of many solely locations within the State the place you’ll be able to go horse driving on a seashore. This was going to be a singular household expertise for us. We’d ridden horses earlier than alongside trails, however by no means alongside the sting of the surf on a pristine stretch of seashore.

Andrew, proprietor of Rainbow Seashore Horse Rides enthusiastically talked about that Rainbow Seashore had been featured on the entrance cowl of the 2012 publication of “101 finest seashores of Australia”. And the Huffington Put up ranked it at quantity 5 of their article “9 of the Most Unbelievable Seashores within the World.” That’s some fairly good creds proper there!

Andrew and his crew fastidiously matched us up with our horses, and little three-year-old Savannah even had her personal horse, which was so cute, and was led alongside the seashore by Andrew on his horse. She did awesomely! As did Kalyra who was additionally safely led.

In fact, we declined the chance to trot or canter, and easily relaxed as we rode for 90 minutes up and down the seashore.

The world by which they conduct their rides is the one stretch of seashore between Noosa and the Northern tip of Fraser Island (about 300 kilometres) the place automobiles aren’t allowed.

Once more, if you happen to time your go to proper for whale season, being on horseback offers you further elevation for recognizing whales and dolphins. However if you happen to don’t go to in whale season there’s each likelihood you’ll be handled to a different present like us, as Rainbow Seashore lived as much as its identify and displayed a ravishing rainbow that framed our household picture.

Not solely that, however throughout the water, you’ve World Heritage-listed Fraser Island as your backdrop. Can it get significantly better?

Rainbow Seashore Horse Rides affords seashore rides, full moon rides, swimming rides, night time rides, and nation rides. Inform Andrew we stated hello and also you heard about them from us!

The place to remain on the Nice Seashore Drive: Inskip Level Tenting

One of many drawbacks we had with our street journey was the numerous establishing and packing up of our camper trailer. It wears skinny after some time, particularly if you happen to’re continuously shifting round. So it was a refreshing change to only rock as much as our campsite on the Inskip Peninsula and actually have every little thing already arrange.

The tent, the beds, the big tarp containing the kitchen and eating space, the moveable bathe and bathroom, the tables and chairs, and all of the foods and drinks chilling within the massive esky. You identify it, it was able to go!

All we needed to do was chill in our camp chair. Caz claimed the hammock, with a chilly drink in hand as the children performed on the seashore in entrance of us.

Did I point out we had absolute seashore frontage and a hearth pit able to go for toasting marshmallows later within the night? Pure bliss.

Though I did must rise up out of my camp chair to take a handy guide a rough of the solar happening. And to pull Caz out of her hammock to assist put together our dinner, lol.

After dinner, we sat mesmerized across the fireplace, toasted up these marshmallows with the children, loved a couple of pink wines, and fell asleep to the calming sound of the ocean.

The subsequent morning we merely rolled away from bed, took a morning stroll alongside the seashore, and ate breakfast by the ocean. That is stress-free tenting all the way in which and could be an superior choice for a big household or group of mates who don’t personal their very own gear or don’t have the time and vitality for arrange.

Rainbow Seashore Rent a Camp is owned and operated by the pleasant Rachel who leaves nothing to spare. How about these advantages:

• the final word in Australian seashore tenting lodging.
• a camp prepared and ready for you – all you must do is arrive.
• Tenting or glamping? You select – from a primary setup to 1 with all of the luxuries.
• Absolute seashore frontage with Fraser Island views.
• 10 minutes from Rainbow Seashore.

The Inskip Peninsula Protected space overlooks World Heritage Listed Fraser Island and the Nice Sandy Biosphere. You possibly can catch a small barge from Inskip level throughout to the southern tip of Fraser Island.

Should you don’t need to camp, you’ll be able to keep within the small neighborhood at Rainbow Seashore. You could just like the Rainbow Sea Resort or the Rainbow Ocean Palms Resort.

From right here, you’ll be able to both return again to Noosa alongside the seashore or freeway or proceed on to discover different components of the Sunshine Coast – sure it’s best to!

What else is there to do close to the Nice Seashore Drive?

The Nice Seashore Drive is sandwiched between the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Coast, two of essentially the most pristine and spectacular areas in Queensland. Listed here are a couple of different issues we suggest you match into your Nice Seashore Drive itinerary

Australia Zoo

We determined to make it an extra-long weekend away and the day earlier than we began our Nice Seashore Drive, we stopped off at Australia Zoo on the way in which as much as Noosaville from our dwelling on the Gold Coast.

Australia Zoo is an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, and after selecting up our rent automotive arrived in time to catch the famed Wildlife Warriors Present on the Crocoseum, dropped at life by the late nice Steve Irwin himself.

This present was Steve’s dream, a option to present and educate folks about crocs and the way they behave within the wild. We’ve seen a couple of croc reveals across the nation and this one continues to be the perfect.

The big salty placed on a loss of life roll show and launches itself full physique from the water snapping at its prey. Additionally on show are free-flight birds, snakes, and dingoes.

From the crocoseum, we ducked subsequent door to see the koalas, and one mummy had a child cuddled up along with her and crawled onto her again. We’ve by no means seen a child koala earlier than; this was superb and so cute!!

We handed by way of the kangaroo enclosure after which shut by was the majestic Sumatran tigers on the Tiger Temple. The ladies have been in awe of the dimensions of those massive cats and their energy and leaping skill.

A brand new addition on the zoo is Bindi’s Island – an island wildlife haven the place ring-tailed lemurs roam free and you’ll see big Aldabra tortoises, macaws, boa constrictors, and an alligator snapping turtle. Climb up into Bindi’s three-story treehouse for sweeping views of the zoo.

Subsequent up we headed to the African Savannah part to see the household of giraffes, white rhinos, zebras, and cheetahs.

Our half-day zoo go to concluded on the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital subsequent door in the primary automotive park the place for a small donation you’ll be able to take a sneak peek contained in the hospital.

This facility treats injured native wildlife from across the area, and up to now over 58,000 native animals have been handled right here in its 11-year historical past! Little Savannah was valuable as she sat caringly subsequent to a sick koala who was nonetheless below anesthetic after surgical procedure.

Noosaville

We stayed in a single day in Noosaville on the Ivory Palms, a tropical resort 90 minutes north of Brisbane, earlier than beginning our Nice Seashore Drive early the following day.

Noosaville is positioned alongside the picturesque Noosa river with loads of cafes, and parks and is a quieter different to staying in Noosa itself. Make sure to take a stroll alongside the foreshore.

Should you time your go to proper, we just like the Sunday Farmer’s Market in Noosa. The best possible smoothie we’ve ever had was from The Sunflower Resort retailer.

We had a scrumptious dinner on the Boat Home Restaurant proper on the water, which might be even higher within the daytime so you could possibly respect the gorgeous view.

Kayak the Noosa Everglades

The Noosa everglades are a sequence of waterways and tropical wetland and swampy land that join the Northern Noosa River system to the ocean close to the Sunshine Coast.

The everglades are nestled amongst two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the Noosa and the Cooloola area of the Nice Sandy Nationwide Park. 

We determined to kayak a 16 km spherical journey from Lake Cootharaba, which took us out into the center of nowhere in a pristine pure setting with solely the sounds of the birds flying and the water lapping in opposition to our boat and the lily pads.

Or you’ll be able to mix a brief kayaking journey with a ship tour, if you happen to don’t fancy paddling for too lengthy.

Need to expertise a ship cruise and check out your hand at kayaking or canoeing? Then try this boat cruise and kayak tour of the Noosa Everglades! Learn our information to the Noosa Everglades right here!

Hervey Bay

Though it’s positioned a bit additional north of the Nice Seashore Drive, it’s best to positively think about taking a visit over to Hervey Bay when you accomplished the journey.

It’s one of many primary seashores in Australia to see humpback whales throughout whale migrating season, as a result of the waters are protected and calm – so that they like to swim right here to play within the heat waters.

We noticed whales from Hervey Bay on a whale-watching tour and it was one of many highlights of our Australia street journey.

Learn extra: Issues to do in Hervey Bay

Fraser Island (Ok’gari)

Little question one of many predominant causes to do the Nice Seashore Drive from the Sunshine Coast is to ultimately find yourself at Fraser Island, or Ok’gari because it’s recognized to the aboriginal folks.

Fraser Island is the most important sand island on the earth and is the place you’ll be able to proceed the 4×4 seashore drive adventures, for the reason that solely street on the island is the 75 mile seashore freeway.

Cease off on the freshwater lakes similar to Lake McKenzie or Lake Wabby for a swim within the crystal-clear cool waters, hunt for shipwrecks on the ocean shoreline, make a journey to the Champagne Swimming pools or Eli Creek, look out for dingoes who stay on the island, or take a scenic flight to identify whales off the coast.

Fraser Island is packed stuffed with adventurous sights and limitless enjoyable, so it will be a disgrace to finish this Nice Seashore Drive and never take the automobile ferry throughout essentially the most thrilling island in Australia!

Learn our high issues to do on Fraser Island and easy methods to do Fraser Island in a day

Is the Nice Seashore Drive price it?

The Nice Seashore Drive is not only a option to get off the standard manner of journey and expertise the joys of journey, but it surely additionally places you nearer to nature, having been surrounded by an abundance of wildlife that’s native to Australia, similar to Kangaroos, turtles, whales, dolphins and 1000’s of chicken species.

In addition to this, you get to cease at white sandy seashores and camp subsequent to the ocean, sipping beer whereas stargazing in an area that’s unpolluted with avenue lights.

Get up at dawn and see migrating whales swimming off the shore (if you happen to journey between July and November). For a lot of, it’s a as soon as in a lifetime expertise. So for these causes, it’s completely price it to do the Nice Seashore Drive.

Greatest time to do the Nice Seashore Drive

The most effective time to go to the Nice Seashore Drive is between the months of July to September as there’s the possibility of recognizing migrating whales who head north to hotter waters alongside Australia’s East Coast.

We have been a bit early for whales however have been having a lot enjoyable making tracks within the yellow sands and exploring a singular a part of Australia we had but to go to.

FAQs about The Nice Seashore Drive

Right here’s what folks often ask us concerning the Nice Seashore Drive…

Ultimate ideas

Of the 55,000 kilometres we drove round Australia on our 18-month street journey, solely as soon as did we enterprise onto the seashore in our personal automobile. We didn’t have a four-wheel drive, due to this fact seashore driving wasn’t an choice, and we needed to keep on with bitumen or stable grime roads.

The Nice Seashore Drive on the Sunshine Coast was our first expertise with four-wheel driving on the seashore, and it rapidly proved it wasn’t going to be our final.

We hope this itinerary not solely confirmed you what you are able to do alongside this street journey, but additionally reveals you there may be a lot to see and do moreover simply driving for the joys and pure exhilaration of four-wheel driving.

If in case you have time, I like to recommend you do the complete Nice Seashore Drive connecting the Noosa North Shore to the township of Rainbow Seashore part and including on the 75 Mile Seashore part of Fraser Island.

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