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Noosa to Rainbow Beach: the road to K'gari

Short answer

About 130 km by road, around 2 hours. Rainbow Beach is one of the two main jumping-off points for K'gari (Fraser Island), along with Hervey Bay, so this is the leg where most people start their 4WD trip. With your own 4WD and the right permits, you can drive the beach instead, tide permitting.

Distance · about 130 km Driving · around 2 hours Tours from · $599
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Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Noosa and Rainbow Beach.

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Ways to do Noosa to Rainbow Beach

Option How it works Price Link
Bus Greyhound East Coast Pass (Create Your Own), 7 to 45 Days Covered by the pass. Most people spend a night in Rainbow Beach before heading onto K'gari. Compare current bus pass prices. from $319 Choose your pass →
Campervan Self-drive van Rainbow Beach is a stop on our Sydney to Cairns road trip. Park the van there: hire campervans aren't allowed on K'gari or the beach. See the Sydney to Cairns plan. See campervan hire prices by route. Free quote Get a van quote →
Fly Flying No. There's no airport at Rainbow Beach and the drive is only about 2 hours. Skip it Flight tips →
Multi-day tour · 3 days K'gari 3-Day Tag-Along Safari from Noosa or Rainbow Beach 3-day K'gari tag-along that leaves from Noosa, with a Rainbow Beach pickup option. from $599 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 14 days East Coast Australia: 14-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Brisbane to Cairns: Noosa, then three days 4WDing K'gari. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,599 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 21 days East Coast Semi-Guided: 21 Days, Sydney to Cairns Sydney to Cairns in three weeks: two days in Noosa, then three on K'gari. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $3,099 See the trip →
Fully guided · 36 days East Coast Explorer Sydney to Cairns (5 Weeks) Guided group trip: Noosa, then the Rainbow Beach sand blow and three days on K'gari. from $5,209 See the trip →

Prices are per person in AUD. Distances and drive times are rounded and don't include stops. Bus seats are reserved leg by leg once you have your pass. Compare today's prices: today's cheapest K'gari tour prices and East Coast tour prices.

On the way

Stops worth making

Noosa Noosa Two nights minimum: the headland walk, the Everglades and a surf lesson. K'gari (Fraser Island) K'gari (Fraser Island) The reason you're here: Lake McKenzie, 75-Mile Beach and the Maheno wreck by 4WD.

Rainbow Beach itself: walk up the Carlo Sand Blow at sunset and look along the coloured sand cliffs the town is named after.

Noosa to Rainbow Beach: your questions

How far is Rainbow Beach from Noosa?

About 130 km by road, around 2 hours.

Can you drive the beach from Noosa to Rainbow Beach?

Only in a 4WD with the right permits, and only around low tide. Standard hire campervans and 2WD cars aren't allowed on the sand, so they take the road.

Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay for K'gari?

Both work. Rainbow Beach is the classic base for backpacker tag-along tours. Hervey Bay faces the calm side of the island, and from July to October it's whale season in the bay.

Can I do a K'gari tour straight from Noosa?

Yes. We sell a 3-day tag-along that leaves from Noosa, so you can skip the separate trip to Rainbow Beach.

How do I get from Noosa to Rainbow Beach without a car?

The coach. Our Greyhound East Coast pass starts from $319 and covers this leg and the rest of the coast.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Byron Bay to Noosa →Brisbane to Noosa →Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach →Airlie Beach to Cairns →Brisbane to Cairns →Sydney to Cairns →Sydney to Melbourne →Melbourne to Adelaide →

Doing the whole coast? See the 21-day East Coast itinerary, compare bus passes or ask us to plan it.