Noosa to Rainbow Beach road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

The best stops on a Noosa to Rainbow Beach road trip itinerary are Gympie and Tin Can Bay. The distance from the Noosa to Rainbow Beach is 117km, with a driving time of around 1h40m.

Planning a perfect Noosa to Rainbow Beach road trip itinerary

A Noosa to Rainbow Beach road trip takes you from the jewel of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to one of the most underrated spots on Australia’s east coast. For many travellers, this will be a leg on a longer Brisbane to Cairns road trip.

Noosa offers Everglades nature cruises, beginners’ surfing lessons and marine life-viewing on a speedboat. For Noosa accommodation deals, track down the best offers here.

If I can do just one thing in Noosa, what should it be?

The Great Beach Drive – a four wheel drive adventure up Teewah Beach towards Double Island Point – is fantastic on its own. To go kayaking with dolphins as part of the same trip makes for a genuinely superb day out.

Take it as a massive personal recommendation – the Great Beach Drive plus Kayaking With Dolphins day tour should be at the top of your Noosa wishlist.

Rainbow Beach is best known as the start point for one day or three day Fraser Island tours. But you can also do combo adventures that involve four wheel driving along the beach and kayaking with dolphins. To find good deals on Rainbow Beach accommodation, look here.

This guide should help you plan your perfect Noosa to Rainbow Beach road trip itinerary.

Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.

Noosa to Rainbow Beach distance and driving time

By car, the distance from the Noosa to Rainbow Beach is 117km. This makes for an approximate Noosa to Rainbow Beach driving time of one hour and 40 minutes.

Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into

Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.

Leave Noosa along the Cooroy-Noosa Road, passing close to Mount Tinbeerwah and the Noosa Botanic Gardens on Lake MacDonald. Keep going on State Route 6, and you’ll join the Bruce Highway just after passing through Cooroy.

The next town to the north is Gympie, which brings the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum and rides on the Mary Valley Rattler steam train.

Highly rate Gympie accommodation includes the Gympie Muster Inn and the Shady Rest Motel.

Noosa to Rainbow Beach road trip: Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach

This is also where you take the turn-off for Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.

Rainbow Beach is best known as where you get the barge to Fraser Island, but there’s a lot more to this emerging holiday town than that. Top Rainbow Beach activities include a two hour surfing lesson, kayaking with dolphins or stand-up paddleboarding.

If Fraser Island is the goal, there are multiple tour options available. Choose between a one day Fraser Island coach tour, a two day bus trip or a three day tagalong trip. If you want to have a go at driving yourself, pick the latter.

5 brilliant Rainbow Beach experiences you should book in advance

Kayaking with dolphins – including a 4WD beach driving adventure.
Beginner surfing lessons – you’ll be standing on the board by the end.
Stand-up paddleboarding and 4WD tour combo – great value day out.
Fraser Island day tour – visiting the island’s main highlights.
Fraser Island three day tour – covering parts of the island most visitors miss.

Rainbow Beach accommodation possibilities include backpacker joint Pippies Beach House, the more glamorous Plantation Resort and the Ocean Palms Resort, which has sea view balconies.

Pick the best K’gari/ Fraser Island tour for you

HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE: One day coach tour from Hervey Bay.
FROM THE SOUTH: One day 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach.
PACK MORE IN: Two day tour, staying at K’gari Beach Resort.
BEACHY: Boat cruise with west coast beach stops.
BACKPACKERS: Three day, drive-yourself camping adventure from Hervey Bay. Or similar from Rainbow Beach.
MORE LUXURIOUS: Three day adventure, staying at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.