This was published 7 years ago
Rainbow Beach family holiday on Australia's Nature Coast
Pay attention to tides and beware becoming fodder for local entertainment.Credit: SMH
The 4WD is stuck, windscreen-deep, in sand.
As each wave crashes, the crowd roars.
It is Friday afternoon in Rainbow Beach, and this is the local entertainment: a live viewing of the Darwin Awards for stupidity.
This stunning strip, within two UNESCO biospheres, is home to the 380-kilometre Great Beach Drive.
Avoid travelling two hours either side of high tide, or you'll end up on the Wall of Shame in the local pub.
We decide to play it safe, piling in to a 4WD operated by Surf and Sand Safaris.
Our driver, Steve, is passionate about this place: he squats on the sand to combine dozens of colours; the beach is his palette.
"The black grains are titanium oxide," he says. "That's used by NASA for the space program."
Grace giggles wildly, stuck in the orange sticky stuff, while Taj (illegally, as it turns out) gathers small samples for "show and tell".
We drive past Honeymoon Bay – a protected lagoon which is perfect for littlies – to Double Island Point, a sheltered surf break.
"The waves are so long, the locals ride in pairs," Steve says. "One parks his 4WD at the other end, to drive his mate back to the start. You don't even have to paddle out."
The following morning, the water off Bullocks Points is glassy, so we go for a paddleboard with Epic Ocean Adventures. "Mum I see two turtles. And a dugong!" Grace squeals. (They promptly disappear…)
It's an underwater wonderland, with twice the fish species of the Great Barrier Reef.
Back in town, we stock up on produce: the locavore scene, led by chef Matt Golinski, is thriving, with macadamias from Gympie, strawberries from Cooloola and prawns from Tin Can Bay.
On a foodie walking tour, Kerry from Cooloola Eco Tours treats the kids to wood-fired pizza on homemade dough at Arcobaleno on the Beach, and Hawaiian-style shaved ice at Jilarty, which doubles as a gallery.
Some are saying this is the next Noosa, with the opening of five-star self-contained accommodation at Plantation Resort.
Or, you can glamp on the beach, overlooking Fraser Island.
"I've stocked the esky with steaks, chicken skewers, sausages and salad," Tracey, the owner of Rainbow Beach Ultimate Camping, says.
Our four-room tent has plump mattresses and pillows; outside is a portable toilet and hot shower.
"This is the best place ever," Grace smiles, setting up a campfire on the beach. "Yes, but there are quite a few bugs here," our spoiled son says. (Must remember to bring DDT next time. To use on him...)
At sunset, the kids marvel at the moonscape of Carlo Sandblow, which boasts 360-degree views of the region.
It's easy to see why this has been dubbed Australia's Nature Coast. And that Mother Nature, well, she certainly has a sense of humour.
As dozens of 4WDers have discovered, to their peril…
Tracey Spicer and children travelled to Rainbow Beach courtesy of Visit Sunshine Coast.
tracey.spicer@fairfaxmedia.com.au
@TraceySpicer
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