Your Guide To Double Island Point, Queensland

Gabby Boucher

Updated Fri 10 Jan 2025

Double Island Point is a pristine headland that is popular for water sports and wildlife spotting near Rainbow Beach, Queensland. Anyone hoping to experience the quintessential 4WD beach driving, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and bushwalking of the Fraser Coast should consider a visit to this stunning spot. There are so many fun things to do here, as well as photo opportunities amidst the breathtaking landscape. 

Here is your guide to visiting Double Island Point in southeast Queensland!

Where Is Double Island Point?

Double Island Point is located in Cooloola, Queensland, and is part of the majestic Great Sandy National Park. The coastal destination is surrounded by the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean and the massive sand dunes and bushland of the national park. It’s a protected area that is a haven for travellers, adventurers, 4WD enthusiasts, and native wildlife. The two main starting points for a day trip to Double Island Point are Noosa or Rainbow Beach. 

How long is the drive from Noosa to Double Island Point?

From Noosa, it’s about 65km or 2 hours and 15 minutes along the Great Beach Drive to get to Double Island Point. This is the most direct route! If you don’t want to drive along the beach, you can go the inland route. The inland roads are almost twice as long as the beach way at almost 140km, but you can drive faster on paved roads so you’ll still arrive at Double Island Point in about 2.5 hours from Noosa. 

How long is the drive from Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point?

From Rainbow Beach, it’s about an hour's drive to get to Double Island Point. Though the actual distance from Rainbow Beach to the headland is only about 14km, the road winds through Great Sandy National Park so it’s a 29km drive to get there. 

You can also hike from Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point via a hiking trail! It’s a moderately challenging trek at about 14.5km one way. To complete the hike one way it’s around 3-4 hours. Ambitious hikers can complete the 30km return hike in a day, but it’s more fun to bring all your gear and camp in the national park (with a camping permit of course)!

Do you need a 4WD to get to Double Island Point?

Unless you’re hiking from Rainbow Beach, you need a high-clearance 4WD to reach Double Island Point. The headland is surrounded by national park and there are no paved roads that lead directly to Double Island Point. Whether you’re coming from Noosa or Rainbow Beach, you’ll need to drive along the beach in the Cooloola Recreation Area to reach Double Island Point. So it’s a pretty secluded and hard-to-reach spot, which makes it even more special!

What permit do I need for a Double Island Point?

You’ll need a vehicle access permit from Queensland National Parks to access Double Island Point in a 4WD. These can easily be booked online on the QLD National Parks website. If you’re camping in the area, you can also book a camping permit online as well. 

Vehicle access permit rates as of January 2025 for Coolola Recreation Area are:

• 1 day = $14.40 if you book online, $21.80 if you book over the phone or in person
• 1 week or less = $36.75
• 1 month or less = $57.80
• Between 1 month and 1 year = $291.00

What are the best conditions for Double Island Point?

It’s best to visit Double Island Point between 2-3 hours before or after low tide. This is when the Great Beach Drive has optimal conditions for 4WD adventures along the sand. If the tide is too high, the sand becomes too soggy and your vehicle can get bogged. There is also less space for driving, so plan your trip around low tide!

Best Things To Do At Double Island Point

Once you make it to Double Island Point, the best things to do are just enjoying nature! Surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are top activities, thanks to the warm, turquoise waters. There is a rippling point break for surfing and calm waters nearby for more relaxing water sports. 

Wildlife spotting is also fun here, as there are often dolphins and sea turtles playing in the ocean. In the winter, you might be able to spot whales! If you’re looking for land-based activities in Double Island Point, you can hike up to Double Island Point lighthouse, enjoy sunbathing on the beach, or have a picnic. From the golden sand, to the crystal clear ocean, to the surrounding walks and natural beauty, this is a nature lover’s paradise!

Find more fun things to do in Noosa, Rainbow Beach, and K’gari (Fraser Island)!

Contact our travel experts if you need help planning your trip along the Sunshine Coast.