Great Sandy National Park is a coastal haven for nature lovers, located in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.
The park consists of two separate sections and offers stunning natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems. These include untouched beaches, extensive sand dunes, heathlands, rainforests, swamps, creeks, freshwater lakes, and mangrove forests.
The Cooloola Recreation Area section covers 18,400 hectares and stretches along the coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach. Visitors can explore the famous Cooloola Great Walk trail, go for a boat tour or canoe ride along the Noosa River, and enjoy fishing, sailing, and canoeing at Lake Cootharaba. The Fraser Island section covers 56,000 hectares and is located north of Rainbow Beach. It is home to the Fraser Island Great Walk, more than 100 freshwater lakes, and the world's largest perched lake, Lake Boomanjin.
The park's unique features include the coloured sands, formed by old sand mixed with clay and reflecting iron-rich minerals. Fraser Island is the only place in the world where tall rainforest grows in sand, and it also features coloured sand cliffs and two shipwrecks, the SS Maheno and the Cherry Venture.
Great Sandy National Park is a high conservation value area, supporting a wide range of flora and fauna. Species such as the eastern ground parrot, koala, dugong, loggerhead sea turtles, and various shark species can be found in the park.
Visitors can obtain a vehicle permit to access both sections of the park, with camping areas available. Access to Fraser Island requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle.
With its diverse landscapes and ecosystems, Great Sandy National Park is a must-see