The Great Sandy National Park is the softer part of land in Queensland, Australia that have been washed away creating high sand dunes and nearby smaller islands when the mountains in the area were formed by volcanic lava thrust upward that have withstood erosion over millions of years ago.

There are two parts of the national park which are both managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The Cooloola section situated on the coast between Noosa Heads in the south and Rainbow Beach in the north that covers 184,00 hectares and the Fraser Island section encompassing almost all of the world’s largest sand island.

Sand dunes averaging 10–12 meter high predominate a scenic lanscape off Cololoola section. Sandy beaches along its shores are interspersed with low, rocky headlands of gneiss. The gneissic basement projects above water level in many places to form several small islands.

The dunes cover much of the desert areas in the eastern and south-western parts of the park. They form parallel ridges of between 20-40 metres high, trending mainly south-east to north-west, lying between 200 metres and six kilometres apart and often extending for more than 40 kilometres in length.

But for a desert the Great Sandy Desert receives a surprising amount of rain. Especially the northern parts are affected by the monsoon and see a good amount of thunderstorms during the wet season in Australia’s tropical north (Nov – April).

Adventures you can do at Great Sandy National Park

Visitors can enjoy numerous recreational and athletic activities as well as learn about a well preserved and highly diverse ecosystem in this part of Australia.

Great Sandy’s sheltered calm waters, shifting patterns of mangroves, seagrass, sandbanks and mud islands, and its unusual ancient swamplands known as patterned fens, are exceptionally important. These are feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds and home to several rare and threatened species: sea turtles, dugong and inshore dolphins to the lesser known mangrove-dwelling butterflies and false water rats.

Drive along the beach or take the Cooloola Way and Freshwater Road through tall open forests and heathlands. Walk in and out or just setup your camp in your most comfortable spot.

Camping permits are required by the way and must be purchased before setting up camp – there fees that apply. A camping permit tag with your booking number must be clearly displayed at your campsite. Campers are required to pack out their refuse from areas not serviced by a trash bin.

Drive north towards Cairns, Rockhampton and Townsville and you will come across some more amazing trails and beautiful campsites that are just begging to be discovered. Cairns is the perfect hub for numerous adventure and nature-based activities.

Drive the 40 mile beach. Enjoy breathtaking vistas from Double Island Point lighthous. There are regular sightings of dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales (whales only between July and October).

Special regulations go into effect when large concentrations of whales are in the park. The regulations affect vessel speed limits and travel routes in certain areas. Specifically, fisheries biologists conduct stream inventories including snorkel survey, electro-fishing, seining for anadromous fish, and spawning/carcass surveys in Redwood Creek and its tributaries.

And how can you miss the famous Fraser Island, where many saline lakes will tempt you to bathe sporadically filled unique crystal-clear water? Because Fraser Island is all sand, you will need a four wheel drive vehicle with high clearance to enjoy driving the inland tracks or the beach at low tide.

You might as well go fishing. Fishes from the ocean beach, wander through tall rainforests or marvel at the crystal-clear beach water nearby. Try an optional trip to the Great Barrier Reef aboard a maxi-catamaran or go crazy with other optional adventures offered in the area.

Explore, take a swim in the pristine waters, photograph the abundant wildlife or simply relax in this natural environment – an adventure worth trying a lifetime.