Katies Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay Guide
Sightseeing
Carlo Sand Blow is a unique "moonscape" sand mass covers over 15 hectares and overlooks the towering coloured sand and the coastline from Double Island Point to Inskip Point and the southern tip of Fraser Island.
Locals and visitors take the easy 600m nature walk from Cooloola Drive in the afternoon to take in the sun setting over Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait. This track is also the entrance to the Cooloola Great Walk.
36 locals recommend
Carlo Sand Blow
Cooloola DriveCarlo Sand Blow is a unique "moonscape" sand mass covers over 15 hectares and overlooks the towering coloured sand and the coastline from Double Island Point to Inskip Point and the southern tip of Fraser Island.
Locals and visitors take the easy 600m nature walk from Cooloola Drive in the afternoon to take in the sun setting over Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait. This track is also the entrance to the Cooloola Great Walk.
A day trip via ferry to Fraser Island is a must. The clear waters and white sands and simply stunning. It is great for older kids, but not really much there for the younger children.
54 locals recommend
Fraser Island
A day trip via ferry to Fraser Island is a must. The clear waters and white sands and simply stunning. It is great for older kids, but not really much there for the younger children.
A great spot to take the kids for the day - gorgeous beach. There is an inlet side and then a beach side.
Inskip Point
A great spot to take the kids for the day - gorgeous beach. There is an inlet side and then a beach side.
Poona Lake
Cooloola Wilderness Trail
Cooloola Wilderness TrailRainbow Beach Horse Rides
23 Clarkson DrThis is an awesome experience!
Wolf Rock Dive Centre
339 Carlo RoadRainbow Beach Helicopters
Inskip AvenueWhat a great experience.
Rainbow Beach Learn to Surf
Be sure to book.
Poona Lake
Food scene
Modern bar that does great cocktails. Wonderful roof top seating with stunning views. Highly recommend this for pre dinner drinks.
12 locals recommend
The Deck @ Sea Salt
2 Rainbow Beach RdModern bar that does great cocktails. Wonderful roof top seating with stunning views. Highly recommend this for pre dinner drinks.
This is a diamond of a find. I have to say that the pizza's here are some of the best I have had. Great bases cooked perfectly and amazing fresh toppings. We visit here every time we are in Rainbow. It is great for families and very kid friendly.
25 locals recommend
Arcobaleno on the Beach
19 Rainbow Beach RdThis is a diamond of a find. I have to say that the pizza's here are some of the best I have had. Great bases cooked perfectly and amazing fresh toppings. We visit here every time we are in Rainbow. It is great for families and very kid friendly.
LEE FISHING COMPANY
7 EsplanadeFor your seafood.
IGA
48 Rainbow Beach RdYour local store.
Tin Can Bay Marina
Emperor StreetA few good spots here to get seafood at.
Arcobaleno on the Beach
19 Rainbow Beach RdSnack Shack
35 EsplanadeTin Can Bay Marina
Emperor StreetTin Can Bay Yacht Club
Lot 2 Emperor StreetTin Can Bay Country Club
222 Gympie RdGreat food. Be sure to check out times they are open as currently in October 2020 they are closed on Wednesday's.
Temptations by the Water
152 Toolara RdGreat food. Be sure to check out times they are open as currently in October 2020 they are closed on Wednesday's.
Barnacles
Mudcrab Bistro
Tin Can Bay Family Butchery
Tin Can Bay Roadamazing meat.
Snack Shack
35 EsplanadeThe best fish and chips!
Families
If you have little ones this is a great spot to hang out. There is a great park with seating and barbecues, with a view to the ocean. The park is located just moments from the centre of Rainbow Beach. This is a lovely picnic spot for families.
Phil Rogers Park
If you have little ones this is a great spot to hang out. There is a great park with seating and barbecues, with a view to the ocean. The park is located just moments from the centre of Rainbow Beach. This is a lovely picnic spot for families.
Rainbow Beach Hotel
1 Rainbow Beach RdA great park for young kids and the slightly older ones. You can access this park from the beach via the rainbow coloured steps. The steps are a great photo opportunity.
There is a zip line and great monkey bars. Undercover seating also available. And again this park is only minutes to the centre of Rainbow Beach.
Laurie Hanson Park
A great park for young kids and the slightly older ones. You can access this park from the beach via the rainbow coloured steps. The steps are a great photo opportunity.
There is a zip line and great monkey bars. Undercover seating also available. And again this park is only minutes to the centre of Rainbow Beach.
This is a little bit different and is wonderful to visit. Please check seasons before you visit. It is around a 30 minute drive from Rainbow Beach to Tin Can Bay.
Tin Can Bay Wildflower Walk
Bass StreetThis is a little bit different and is wonderful to visit. Please check seasons before you visit. It is around a 30 minute drive from Rainbow Beach to Tin Can Bay.
This is a wonderful experience for both families and couples. Hand feed the local dolphin/s, something that I have not done anywhere else.
Feed dolphins bay
This is a wonderful experience for both families and couples. Hand feed the local dolphin/s, something that I have not done anywhere else.
Tin Can Bay Boat Hire
City advice
Getting around
Hospital
There are a couple of medical centres in the town but your main hospital is in Gympie around 50KM away.
Getting around
IGA
Located in Rainbow beach town there are two IGA's for you to use.
If you want to get groceries prior to arriving in Rainbow Beach then we do suggest Aldi or Woolworths located in Gympie. There is also a bakery and a health food store.
In Tin Can Bay there is a IGA and a smaller grocers, butchers and bakery.
Getting around
Petrol
There is a petrol station located in the town of Rainbow Beach and also one in Tin Can Bay.
Travelling with kids
Parks
Rainbow Beach has a couple of parks located in the town area. One is the the left of the public toilets and has a zip line and a climbing frame for older kids. In the same area there is also a smaller section for the kids. To the right of the carpark that houses Surf Club there is an additional park.
In Tin Can Bay there is a park located on the Esplanade and is called Wes Mitchell Park.
Don't miss
Every 3rd Saturday of the month the Tin Can Bay markets.
Don't miss the wonderful local markets.
Held on the third Saturday of each month in the park alongside the RSL Hall on the Tin Can Bay Road from 8.00am until 12 noon in the Winter and 7am in the Summer. Stock up on the freshest of produce, specialty fare and original creations.
You can follow them on Facebook.